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IRAN UPDATENews and comment on the diplomatic movements over Iran's nuclear programmeNo. 79 - 2 February 2007 If you do not want to receive this update please send an email to request removal from the list. Feedback on format and content is also gladly received. In particular we are keen to hear feedback of how useful you find this update. Please e-mail comments by reply to Carlos Coke on iran at basicint.org An archive of previous Iran Updates is available at: http://www.basicint.org/updates/iran.htm. SUMMARY
The UN Security Council deadline for Iran to cease its enrichment activities arrives later this month - 21 February. Iran's nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani expressed optimism that a breakthrough was still possible. IAEA head, Mohammed El Baradei, has asked for restraint from both parties, suggesting that UN sanctions could be dropped in return for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment. This received a positive response from Russia and several European states, but US and UK diplomats were quick to pour cold water over the suggestion. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of the Iranian parliament's foreign affairs and national security committee, claimed that Iran was in the process of finally installing the oft-discussed 3000 centrifuges, but his claim was denied soon afterwards by the p. Iran is also reported to be expanding the underground nuclear facility at Natanz, to enable the installation of over 50,000 centrifuges and enrichment on an industrial scale. The US has not succeeded in achieving a unity international front. Russia has reaffirmed that it will deliver nuclear fuel for the Bushehr plant in March 2007. The White House was already said to be considering sanctions over Moscow's delivery of Tor M-1 surface to air missiles to Iran. The US is also unhappy at an apparent reluctance from allies to confront President Ahmadinejad. The Anglo-Dutch gas and oil giant, Shell, has broken ranks and signed a preliminary agreement over a £5bn gas deal with Iran, countering a general trend of falling foreign direct investment in response to greater commercial risk. Reports continue of military build-up and plans for action. A third carrier group has been placed on short notice to go out to the Gulf. President Bush authorized US troops to capture or kill Iranian operatives in Iraq. Iran has said that it may yet respond to US hostilities against its representatives. Seeking greater support on Capitol Hill this week for its assertive policy with Iran, the US government is suggesting that Iranian forces or elements trained by them killed five US soldiers in a January 20th attack in Karbala. Carlos Coke (BASIC) STORIES AND LINKSIran installing 3,000 nuclear centrifuges, MP says, Reuters,
January 27 2007 Iran Official Denies Nuke Plant Reports, Guardian Iran to start assembling centrifuges, IAEA says underground
facility would enrich uranium, Washington Post.com. January 27
2007 Russia vows to keep schedule for Iran nuclear plant, Yahoo,
January 28 2007 USA may impose sanctions on Russia for selling 29 Tor-M1
complexes to Iran, January 25 2007 Shell defies US pressure and signs £5bn Iranian gas
deal, The Guardian, January 29 2007 US accuses allies of dragging their feet over Iran, The
Times, January 31 2007 Nuclear plans in chaos as Iran leader flounders, The
Observer, January 28 2007 America 'Poised to strike at Iran's Nuclear Sites' from bases
in Bulgaria and Romania, January 28 2007 UN nuclear chief calls for time out over Iran, Yahoo, January
26 2007 Troops authorized to kill Iranian operatives in Iraq,
Washington Post, January 26 2007 Iran may have trained attackers that killed 5 American
soldiers, US and Iraqis say, New York Times (fairuse), January 31
2007 Senators warn against conflict with Iran, Review Journal,
(AP), January 30th 2007 COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSISIran's nuclear gamble, Sanam Vakil , Open Democracy,
February 1, 2007 The surge: Don't hold your breath, Asia Times.com, January 30
2007 On Iran, Bush faces haunting echo of Iraq, New York Times,
January 28 2007 Bush is about to attack Iran: Why can't Americans see it?
January 29 2007 With Iran ascendant, US is seen at fault, MSNBC, January 30
2007 Bush administration 'spoiling for a fight', The Guardian,
January 31 2007 Israeli internal assessments of Iran belie threat rhetoric,
antiwar.com, January 31 2007 Bullying Iran, New York Times Editorial, February 1
2007 |
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