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Home > Publications > Iran Update > Issue 2.38 | ||
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Iran is accumulating low enriched uranium in growing quantities at an alarming rate, according to experts. In response, the international community enacted diplomatic and economic measures, but the momentum suffered a blow from the NIE report. Trying to regain that momentum is all the more difficult in the face of escalating oil prices. Sanctions, a proven, effective way to achieve the desired results, are still the chosen path to pursue, although it is harder now to convince those who hold the future of the revolution above all else to change course. For them, the nuclear program is their number one asset. For the rest of the Iranian people, who endure unemployment, ballooning inflation, and severe fuel shortages, it is a liability. There is only a narrow window of time to convince the mullahs that it is indeed a liability-- time is extremely short and it soon may be too late. Listening to Americans and Europeans, the danger they perceive emanating from a nuclear Iran is the possibility of an untraceable “suitcase bomb” falling into the hands of terrorists. Listening to Israelis, the thought of a nuclear Iran determines how they feel about their entire future.
Although Russia has said it would not tolerate a nuclear Iran, its deeds belie that claim. Russia is selling great quantities of arms to the Middle East, particularly advanced S-300 missile systems to Iran, and transferring weapons to Iran-led Hezbollah. In the southern half of the Western Hemisphere, Iranian ambitions are being aided by Russia, too--both want to gain a foothold, the one to establish cells of terror and influence and the other to use as leverage against missile placement in Poland or Ukraine. Cohorts in Bolivia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and other countries are in lockstep, bolstering Tehran, who aspires to be the link between them and fifty-seven Muslim countries. Bolivia suggests that Iran should be member of the Security Council, OPEC membership is offered to Latin American petropowers, and some entertain the idea of war games with the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps or Russian fleet exercises off the South American coast. Russia is member of the Quartet, charged with making peace in the Middle East and is insisting on hosting a meeting in Moscow this fall. At the same time, Russia, together with Iran and all its friends, undermines peace, freedom and democracy, by helping with a big hand those who export terror and threaten world security grow stronger and spread their message. September 11th is a story of destruction and devastation that we pray will never be repeated. As we remember, we must renew our determination as free people to fight tyrants and terror. And we must be united in our resolve, and none too soon, to move quickly to convince Iran that nuclear weapons are not in their best interest. Betty Ehrenberg
IAEA: Enough Uranium for Six Bombs is Missing -Nuclear experts monitoring Iran’s nuclear program have discovered that enough enriched uranium that could be used to make six bombs is missing. IAEA Probe Stalls, Iran Boosts Atom Enrichment – A UN watchdog inquiry into whether Iran covertly researched how to assemble an atom bomb appears to have stalled while enrichment continues. Iran Satellite Launch a Failure, US Officials Say – Iran’s attempted satellite launch was a failure that fell far short of claimed success, US Security officials said, but the test still marked progress toward a weapon. Read here the Institute for National Security Studies analysis by Yiftah Shapir. Assad: Syria May Host Russian Missiles – Assad has pledged support to Russia in its conflict with Georgia and said that Damascus was ready to consider deploying Russian Iskander missile systems in its territory in response to the US missile shield in Europe. Sarkozy Visits but Assad Stays Firm on Iran’s Nuclear Option – Sarkozy and Assad are engaged in a dialogue of the deaf regarding the Iranian nuclear program. Sarkozy says that he is trying to convey to a friend of Iran just how serious the situation is while Assad insists Iran’s program is for civil use. Sarkozy Warns Iran it Risks Israeli Attack – Iran, says France, is taking a dangerous gamble in its quest for nuclear weapons. Iran Says 4,000 Atomic Centrifuges Working – This is figure is in line with a number verified by the IAEA but lower than what Ahmadinejad has cited. Bushehr Plant to Come On Stream by March of 2009; Iran Denies Buying Russian S-300’s - The 1,000 megawatt power plant is being built in cooperation with Russia, based on a 1995 contract. Iran denied it bought Russian advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles. Iranian Air Force Announces Extensive Drill - The Iranian army will hold an extensive drill during Ramadan, with new domestic fighter jets. Ahmadinejad in New Verbal Attack on Israel; Iranian General Blames “US and Global Zionism” for Current Conflicts – The Iranian President renewed his attacks on Israel, accusing it of dragging the world in to turmoil and predicting Israel’s demise. General Jazayeri says attack on Iran could trigger WWIII. Iran Says Designing New Nuclear Power Plant – Iran has yet to finish work on the Bushehr plant and has sent conflicting signals on the status of the second, but has nevertheless started a third nuclear power plant. Gulf Arabs Urge Iran to Close Offices on Disputed Land; Iran Flatly Rejects Gulf Corporation Statement – Gulf Arab countries urged Iran to remove the offices it installed in the Gulf and backed the UAE’s claim to the territories. The UAE had summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires last month to protest the establishment of its offices. Iran called the condemnation an “interference in Iran’s internal affairs”. Iran a Growing Threat to Israel -
Spner Cagaptay, “With Ahmadinejad’s Visit, Turkey Bows to the Dark Side,” Los Angeles Times, August 19, 2008 – By extending an invitation to Ahmadinejad, the first such move by any NATO or EU country, Turkey has broken ranks with the West. After leaving a prayer session at the Blue Mosque, Ahmadinejad got out of his car to encourage a crowd of about 300 to chant, “Death to Israel! Death to America!” Alan Johnson, “Facing Up to Violence in Iran,” Guardian, August 26, 2008 The eyes of the world are fixed on the nuclear diplomacy but away from our gaze the human rights violations go on. There is something shameful about this inattention. William J. Broad and David E. Sanger, “In Nuclear Net’s Undoing, a Web of Shadowy deals,” New York Times, August 25, 2008 – The president of Switzerland read a statement confirming rumors that his government had a destroyed a huge trove of material documenting the dealings of Swiss engineers suspected of helping smuggle nuclear technology to Libya and Iran. Behind this statement is a tale of spies, moles and the compromises governments make in the name of national security. Joschka Fischer, “Serious Negotiations or Hot Confrontation with Iran?”, Project Syndicate, September 2008
Iran to Hold Gas Export Conference in October, OMV, Shell and Total to sponsor – Deutsche Bank and Dresdner Bank, two German banks who pulled out of Iran in October 2007, are listed as “correspondent banks”. Iran invites Brazil to Join OPEC – Iran’s ambassador to Brazil made the invitation two weeks ago. Brazil is the world’s 13th largest oil producer. Dutch Ban Iranians from Courses Related to Nuclear Technology – The Dutch government says the decision was taken to implement UNSC Resolution 1737. Diplomatic Effort on Iran Jeopardized by US-Russia Crisis – The crisis between the US and Russia has led to the suspension of efforts to draft anew resolutions imposing harsher sanctions on Iran. No Sting in Sanctions, Iran Bank Says – Bank Mellat, Iran’s third largest state-owned bank, is getting around the US imposed sanctions, saying it has managed to find links to other foreign banks. Iran, Indonesia Considering Direct Flights European Companies Boost Exports to Iran – Smaller and medium-sized companies are entering Iran’s market to replace big companies that have scaled down their operations in order to reduce sanctions. French Food Chain Carrefour to Open in Tehran – Carrefour open shops in the Middle East through it is Dubai-based franchisee. The operation is seen by diplomats as an attempt to avoid attracting political pressure.
Drought-Stricken Iran Buys US Wheat – For the first time in 27 years, Iran bought US wheat, marking a setback for Tehran’s search for agricultural self-sufficiency. Chief Cleric of Iran Defends President – Ayatollah Khamenei responded to moun ting domestic criticisms of Ahmadinejad with a strong statement of support, despite intensified criticisms of the his domestic policies. Ayatollah Khamenei Calls for Iranian Air Force Fleet Upgrade – Earlier this summer, Iran announced that it had revamped its fighter jet fleet to fly 3,000 kilometers without refueling. Few Things Are as They Seem in Tehran – Few countries are as important right now a Iran and few are as little understood., Since Ahmadinejad took over three years ago, the message of hatred against America has been louder than ever. Yet, in reaction, a younger and better educated generation is tuning out that message. 9/11 Conspiracy Theories in Iran
Iran Hangs Man for Murder Committed as a Minor – Iran has hanged a man for a murder committed at the age of 15, in violation of the international convention on the rights of the child. Human rights campaigners in Iran said dozens more were on death row for crimes committed as minors. Child Offender Hanged in Iran – This is the second such hanging since August 19 (see above). Human rights groups estimate more than 60 youthful offenders awaiting same fate. Two Journalists Held Without Charge in Iran – On August 28, security forces in Iran arrested two Kurdish journalists and took them to an unknown location. One of the journalists was a staff writer at the now banned newspaper Karaftu. Death Sentence Overturned for Iranian Journalist Who Still Faces Espionage Charges – Adnan Hassanopour‘s death sentence has been overturned but he will face new charges. He has written mostly critical articles about poverty in Iran and other social issues.
Hezbollah Chief Threatens to Destroy Israel; Attempts Kidnap of Israelis Abroad – Hassan Nasrallah threatened to destroy Israel in the wake of Israeli warnings to Lebanon after it formed a government in which Hezbollah has 11 ministries and veto power over cabinet decisions. Hezbollah has recently been attempting to kidnap Israelis traveling abroad. Hezbollah Armed with Advanced Iranian-supplied missiles - The missiles can reach targets deep inside Israel, according to a London-based report. Popular Support for Hamas in Gaza Seen as Thin – Complaints by Gazans abound against Hamas as jobs and fuel remain scarce and the borders remain closed. They want an agreement in order to be able to work in Israel.
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