Iran Update
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- No. 118, 7 May 2008
Iran to answer IAEA's questions following intelligence allegations.
P5 + Germany met in London to discuss new incentives. Iranian
proposal on ending nuclear deadlock being seriously considered
by Russia. Inside Iran's Natanz nuclear plant. NATO and
E.U. criticized says Iran's nuclear programme. Iranians
vote in second stage of parliamentary elections.
- No. 117, 24 April 2008
IAEA seeks explanation of documents that show nuclear warhead
design. Diplomatic engagement with Iran: P5, Germany and
the E.U. meet in Shanghai; IAEA encourages Iran to re-enter
negotiations; Iran to extend a solution; the secret U.S.-
Iranian talks facilities by Thomas Pickering. Angus Reid
Poll: Iranians want nuclear energy not nuclear weapons.
Analysis of Iran's application for full membership of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- No. 116, 11 April 2008
Iran increases nuclear capacity in spite of sanctions. China
gives IAEA intelligence about Iran's nuclear programme.
Bush offers Iran a "way forward" - the mixed messages from
US officials. Sarkozy says Iran is the type of threat the
new French nuclear submarine is designer to counter.
- No. 115, 26 March 2008
Iran's Parliamentary Elections. UN Security Council imposed
a third round of sanctions on Iran. IAEA releases report
on Iran's nuclear past. IAEA Board presented with intelligence
on alleged Iranian weaponisation studies - Iran claims evidence
is forged. Israel will not strike Iran without an ally.
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No. 114, 19 February 2008
US: Iran must confess to making nuclear bomb. Iran tests
faster centrifuges with uranium. IAEA report could be
delayed by disagreement between Elbaradei and his staff.
Iran's Missile tests alarm international community.
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No. 113, 6 February 2008
P5+1 agree new wave of sanctions on Iran. Iran predicts
it will be using nuclear power by next year. A Chinese
military base in Iran: the geo-political consequences.
US Iranians oppose military action. Congress discusses
normalizing relations with Iran and assessing the effectiveness
of sanctions and the policy of isolation.
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No. 112, 23 January 2008
P5+1 met on January 22 to discuss Iran but disagreement
within the group set to hinder progress. US diplomacy
against Iran. Iran making new disclosures about nuclear
programme to IAEA. Iran receives third shipment of nuclear
fuel from Russia and plans to significantly expand nuclear
programme.
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No. 111, Special Edition, 8
January 2008
US heat turned down on Iran, in spite of the President.
Outstanding IAEA questions to Iran. US statement: Iran
no longer assisting Iraqi insurgents. Pentagon says US
ships harassed by Iran. Congress passes Iran democracy
bill. Iran's changing regional relationships. Russia begins
delivery of nuclear fuel to Bushehr. Iran produces first
nuclear fuel pellets.
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No. 110, Special Edition, 21
November 2007
IAEA releases report on Iran's nuclear programme. Differences
between the P5+1 may hamper response. Iran's response
to report.
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No. 109, 13 November 2007
In principle, P5+1 agree a third round of sanctions against
Iran in advance of the pending IAEA report due the week
beginning 19th November. Gulf-State enrichment proposal.
EU/ Iran to hold talks in late November.
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No. 108, 2 November 2007
New US Sanctions on Iran. 52% of Americans support military
action against Iran to prevent them acquiring nuclear
weapons. El Baradei urges diplomatic solution and criticizes
US rhetoric. Ali Larjani resigns as Iranian Chief nuclear
negotiator. Iran's moderates challenge president's atomic
tactics.
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No. 107, 17 October 2007
Rohani attacks Ahmadinejad's alienation of potential allies
abroad. No US military action on Iran without consent
of congress. Putin's diplomacy with Iran- death threat
issued ahead of conference. Hillary Clinton: a confused
policy towards Iran. French push EU for further sanctions
against Iran.
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No. 106, 3 October 2007
Ahmadinejad visits Columbia University and is refused
a visit to "Ground Zero" in New York. At an IAEA conference
and a visit to the UN, Iran's president announces that
the nuclear issue is "closed". US and France step up the
'diplomatic push on Iran', in spite of their commitment
to give the Iran-IAEA agreement a chance. US erect a military
base on the Iraq-Iran border. Iranian parliament vote
to designate the CIA and US military as 'terrorists'.
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No. 105, 21 September 2007
General Petraeus states that a 'proxy war' between Iranian
and US forces is already taking place in Iraq. French
war rhetoric triggers a flurry of political concern. Despite
reservations over the Iran-IAEA agreement, and Iran's
continued uranium enrichment, international support has
increased in the absence of alternatives. Cracks remain
in US administration regarding prospect for diplomatic
solution on Iran.
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No. 104, 5 September 2007
Contradiction between Ahmadinejad statement and IAEA Report
on progress with enrichment. Continued rumbles over plans
for military action. IAEA Report published, urges Iran
to adopt Additional Protocol, IAEA Board to meet next
week Sept 10th to 14th. Rafsanjani elected as Head of
Assembly of Experts.
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No. 103, 3 September 2007
IAEA Agreement with Iran sets framework to resolve outstanding
ambiguities over nuclear programme. IAEA Secretary-General's
report to the Board is distributed to members. Reports
suggest Iran considering suspending construction of reactor
at Arak. Arrests of Iranians in Baghdad, US and Iranian
relations suffer.
-
No. 102, 24 August 2007
Latest round of talks with IAEA about action plan. Iran
warns against further sanctions and attacks. Iran detains
and releases Chinese nuclear spy.
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No. 101, 16 August 2007
US to declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a
terrorist organisation. Iran and the IAEA to have a plan
of action by end of August. Iran’s regional relations.
Heritage Foundation Investigation.
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No. 100, 26 July 2007
Iran and the United States hold talks about Iraq. Iran
and the IAEA hold talks about Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran’s deal with Syria?
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No. 98, 11 July 2007
Tunneling Near Iranian Nuclear site. Iranian enrichment
slowing down- heralding a time-out? US: Iran becoming
increasingly dangerous- more pressure. PEW poll findings.
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No. 97, 5 July 2007
Reports of a possible 'time-out' proposal. IAEA team soon
to visit to discuss outstanding question. US and EU further
claims that Iran is aiding Iraqi insurgents and Hamas.
Bush and Putin united on Iran- Russia resume talks on
reactor with Iran. Iranian reaction to petrol restrictions.
Reactor ready by October. Iran-India and Pakistan close
to signing gas 'peace-pipeline' deal.
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No. 96, 27 June 2007
This week: Iran's talks with the IAEA. Latest talks with
EU were "constructive". Recognition of Iran's right to
enrich for peaceful means. Israel preparing to strike
- once Iran reaches point of no return.
Last week: IAEA warns against attacking Iran. Iran uses
'front' companies to avoid sanctions. Gates claims that
the Iranian government knew of weapon shipments to the
Taliban.
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No. 95, 13 June 2007
IAEA meeting Monday 11th - Iran meeting with IAEA cancelled.
G8 leaders statement on the Iranian nuclear programme.
Military option(s) on the table. Swiss- Iranian talks,
EU- Iranian talks.
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No. 94, 6 June 2007
Too late to stop the Iranian nuclear programme. Update
on talks. Iranian statements prior to G8 summit. Is Iran
fuelling conflicts in neighbouring states?
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No. 93, 31 May 2007
This week: US- Iranian talks. Alleged US spy networks
in Iran. A tougher stance on Iran's nuclear programme.
Iran's neighbours seek nuclear power.
Last week: The IAEA Report. Iran's nuclear know-how. Iran's
regional relations. Iran and the US.
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No. 92, 17 May 2007
IAEA inspection shows Iran's nuclear programme is more
advanced than imagined. The EU to hold talks with Iran
about its nuclear programme. Deadline to cease enrichment
approaching.
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No. 91, 11 May 2007
Iraq Security Conference ends with no talks between Iran
and US. Breakthrough in deadlock on agenda wording for
NPT PrepCom. US, UK & EU indicate increased flexibility
if Iran stop uranium enrichment. New report warns economic
sanctions counter-productive.
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No. 90, 4 May 2007
US & Iran to meet during Iraq Security Conference in Egypt,
though substantive discussion unlikely. Javier Solana
calls for direct US-Iran talks on nuclear issues. Iran
reiterates refusal to cease partial uranium enrichment
as a precondition to talks. Debate continues over how
close Iran is to producing nuclear weapons.
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No. 89, 25 April 2007
Iran: we will not cease uranium enrichment under any circumstances.
Javier Solana and Ali Larijani to meet for discussions
on nuclear issue. Ahmadinejad invites Bush to talks. EU
and US to implement further sanctions on Iran.
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No. 88, 20 April 2007
Ahmadinejad: Iran has joined the nuclear club. ElBaradei
calls for Iran and Israel to join a nuclear-free zone
in the Middle East. Russia and China joint statement on
Iran and Security Council Resolutions. US Central Command
says that US has no plans to go to attack Iran.
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No. 87, 4 April 2007
Ali Larijani: no need to try British navy personnel. Iran
& Britain lean towards diplomatic solutions for detained
navy personnel. US accused of violating Iranian airspace
in Khuzestan. George Bush: Iran must release the "hostages".
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No. 86, 30 March 2007
UN Security Council votes unanimously on increased sanctions.
Ahmadinejad says he will not bow to "illegal" resolution.
Iran captures 15 members of British navy. US Navy begins
military exercises in Persian Gulf.
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No. 85, 22 March 2007
Ahmadinejad to address UN Security Council in New York
before sanctions vote. Bolton: military option preferable
to nuclear armed Iran. Russia denies withholding fuel
to Bushehr to leverage a freeze on Iranian uranium enrichment.
Israel and US kick off Juniper Cobra defence exercises.
Iran threatens retaliation to alleged Western plot to
kidnap senior members of its Revolutionary Guard.
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No. 84, 15 March 2007
P5 + 1 talks reported to have achieved breakthrough. Russia
plays tough with Iran. US and Iran in multilateral talks
on Iraq. Pelosi withdraws clauses prohibiting use of funds
for military operations in or related to Iran. Chatham
House argues that military strikes would be the worst
possible option for Israel. Former senior defense official
reported missing in Istanbul.
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No. 83, 1 March 2007
P5 + 1 meeting in London begins building new resolution
on Iran. US agrees to meet Iran and Syria at international
conference on Iraq. Ahmadinejad: Iranian nuclear program
like 'train with no brake'. Blair: it would not be 'right
to take military action against Iran'. New Hersh article
claims plans of military attack are progressing.
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No. 82, 22 February 2007
US Iran Attack Plans Revealed. El Baradei: Iran 6 months
away from HEU, but years away from a weapon. Possible
delays on Russian fuel deliveries to Iran. UN Resolution
1737 deadline passes as Iran rules out cessation of uranium
enrichment as a precondition to talks. Iran stages 2nd
war games simulation exercises this month.
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No. 81, 16 February 2007
Ahmadinejad: Ready to speak to international community.
Bush presents evidence documenting Iran's involvement
in attacks on US troops in Iraq. Israel tests Arrow missile
defence system. Internal EU Report states Iran's technical
limitations more effective than sanctions in slowing enrichment.
EU agrees to tighten restrictions on financial transactions
with Iran
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No. 80, 9 February 2007
57% of Americans predict war within the next year. More
Iranian war games as tensions rise. Iran's Supreme Leader
vows global retaliation. Military and civilian experts
reject US strike on Iran. Chirac: nuclear-armed Iran not
a threat. Blair: No plans to attack Iran, but all options
on the table.
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No. 79, 2 February 2007
UN Security Council Feb 21 deadline approaches. 'Time-out'
proposal from ElBaradei. Iran ups tempo on nuclear programme.
US diplomatic pressure limited: Russia vows nuclear delivery
to Iran, Shell signs contract. US Iraq forces to target
Iranian agents; Iran suspected in GI deaths.
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No. 78, 26 January 2007
Iran turns away 38 IAEA inspectors. Is Saudi Arabia waging
economic warfare against Iran? US warns Iran to back down
as second carrier heads to Middle East. Russian missile
deliveries to Iran completed. US' international unpopularity
grows.
- No. 77, 19 January 2007
Iran shoots down US drone. Concerns over US-Iran crisis
- increased media predictions of war. Tehran aims for diplomatic
support from global south. Expansion of Iran's enrichment
capacity continues.
- No. 76, 12 January 2007
President Bush announces policy on Iraq... implications
for Iran. Report: Israel plans nuclear strike on Iran. Iran
may develop nuclear weapons if threatened. Ahmadinejad to
reveal nuclear advances in February celebrations.
- No. 75, 5 January 2007
UN sanctions on Iran agreed - but where next? Iran to press
ahead with nuclear programme. Western powers consider action
outside UN. US-Iran tensions rise in Iraq.
- No. 74, 24 December 2006
UN Security Council resolution on Iran sanctions. EU-3 dilute
sanctions proposals to win over Russia. Iran vows to step
up its nuclear programme. US to increase military presence
in Persian Gulf. Mossad Chief: Iranian bomb in 2009.
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No. 73, 1 December 2006
Cheney visits Saudi Arabia - Iran's nuclear programme
discussed. Fears of Iran-Saudi proxy war in Iraq. Iranian
war games aimed at regional states. Iran has 1000 attack
boats, receives first batch of Russian surface to air
missiles.
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No. 72, 24 November 2006
Military strikes still possible White House dismissive
as CIA finds no evidence of Iran nuclear weapons. IAEA
divisions over Iranian request for nuclear assistance.
Iran to host talks on Iraq violence.
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No. 71, 17 November 2006
Bolton unlikely to be reconfirmed as US ambassador to
UN. Iran aims for installation of 3,000 centrifuges by
February 2007. Blair suggests new relations with Iran
and Syria on Iraq and Middle East. Bush: Iran must halt
uranium enrichment before talks on Iraq. Questions over
vulnerability of US aircraft carriers.
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No. 70, 9 November 2006
Rumsfeld resignation. Security Council deadlock. Concern
over Middle East nuclear 'break-out'. Iran continues military
exercises and weapons tests.
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No. 69, 3 November 2006
Security Council impasse. Iran confirms increase in uranium
enrichment activity. Iran launches war games in reply
to US-led manoeuvres. US diplomat - Iran bigger threat
than North Korea. Poll: Americans move away from militaristic
foreign policy.
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No. 68, 26 October 2006
UN agreement on sanctions slow - disagreement between
US and Europeans. Iran expands uranium enrichment capacity.
US to carry out naval exercises in Persian Gulf. Poll:
54% of Americans oppose air strikes on Iran.
- No. 67, 19 October 2006
North Korea accession nuclear crisis still overshadows Iran
controversy. Britain, France and Germany plan draft Iran
sanctions resolution for next week. Sanctions proposals
minimised to overcome Russian opposition, secure EU backing.
Iran repeats warning of retaliatory sanctions.
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No. 66, 13 October 2006
North Korean nuclear test overshadows Iran controversy.
Security Council disagreement on Iran. Israeli official
conflates North Korea blast with Iran crisis. Criticism
of Bush 'Axis of Evil' approach to foreign policy.
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No. 65, 6 October 2006
EU-Iran talks deadlocked. US gives Iran until end of the
week before seeking sanctions. US: world could live without
Iranian oil for 18 months. Condoleeza Rice on Mid-East
tour - Iran on the agenda. Sam Gardiner: 90% confident
of US attack in 3 to 4 months.
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