IRAN UPDATE

News and comment on the diplomatic movements over Iran's nuclear programme

No. 102 - 24 August 2007

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SUMMARY

• Latest round of talks with IAEA about action plan
• Iran warns against further sanctions and attacks.
• Iran detains and releases Chinese nuclear spy

Two days of talks between Iran and the IAEA about Iran's nuclear programme ended Tuesday with claims of progress from both sides. This is the third round of talks (following talks on July 11th and July 24th) between Iran and the IAEA aimed at creating an action plan. Iran hopes that it can win the UN Security Council's support for the peaceful use of their nuclear energy programme through such an action plan.

Iran has warned against further UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear programme, claiming that such a move would render all current talks with the IAEA and others "sterile". On Sunday the leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was quoted as saying: "the Persian Gulf will become Hell for the enemies of Iran if they attack the Islamic Republic".

Iranian judiciary officials announced last week that two Chinese citizens detained in July were under investigation for spying on Iran's nuclear programme. A spokesperson said: "the Chinese nationals were detained while taking photos and recording video tape of a military complex in Arak city". On Monday Iran released the two men. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "In early July, two people from Chinese companies mistakenly took some pictures of some sensitive buildings when they were helping local owners to conduct field measurements in Iran… they were detained by Iranian police and now they have been freed. The foreign ministry and Chinese embassy in Iran have warned Chinese citizens in Iran to behave so as to prevent misunderstandings."

Ita O'Sullivan, BASIC

STORIES AND LINKS

Peres warns Europe against Iran, UPI.com, 21/ 08
European investment in Iran's oil fields will cause Iranian leaders to conclude there is support for the country's nuclear program, said Israel's president.
http://www.newstin.com/go-to-link?url=
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/08/21/
peres_warns_europe_against_iran/1784/

Wife of missing former FBI agent appeals to Iran, JPost. Com, 21/ 08
The wife of a former FBI agent missing in Iran has gone directly to the Iranian people to appeal for information about her husband.
http://www.newstin.com/go-to-link?url=
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/
ShowFull&cid=1187502428222

Iran to free U.S. academic on bail, Reuters.com, 21/ 08
A US-Iranian academic detained in Iran on security-related charges since May will be freed once bail of 3 billion rials ($320,000) has been paid and may be released as early as Tuesday evening, a judiciary source said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSL2122405220070821

Reports of Sale to Iran Su-30s [Fighter Bombers] Rattle Israelis, FreeRepublic.com, 16/ 08
Russia's arms export agency Rosoboronoexport disclosed its plans to sell Iran up to 250 advanced Su-30 fighter bombers, dramatically increasing Iran's power projection capability and possibly giving it an alternative nuclear delivery capability.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1881723/posts

COMMENTS, EDITORIALS AND ANAYLSIS

Arguing on shaky ground, Economist.com, 20/ 08
With oil expensive and their electric-power stations straining to keep up with rapidly rising demand, South-East Asian countries are dusting off their long-abandoned plans to build nuclear-power stations.
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?
story_id=9672834

As U.S. Steps Up Pressure on Iran, Aftereffects Worry Allies, Washington Post, 16/ 08
America's allies are increasingly concerned about the Bush administration's plans to unilaterally escalate pressure on Iran, fearing that an evolving strategy may also set in motion a process that could lead to military action if Iran does not back down, according to diplomats and officials of foreign countries.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2007/08/15/AR2007081502199.html?nav=rss_world/mideast

Effecting Regime Change in Iran, Newsvine.com, 18/ 08
The Cheney Cabal wants ostensibly to deprive Iran of its inalienable rights by an act of war: bombing the geewhiz out of every activity or facility that could conceivably be associated with Iran's nuclear program, peaceful or otherwise.
http://populistamerica.newsvine.com/_news/2007/08/18/
905080-effecting-regime-change-in-iran

Towards a realistic peace, Foreign Affairs, Sept/ Oct '07
Rudolph Giuliani, US presidential candidate, writes on foreign policy issues related to Iran in the Journal of Foreign Affairs and mentions Iran.
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070901faessay86501/
rudolph-giuliani/toward-a-realistic-peace.html

Reengaging the World, Foreign Affairs, Sept/ Oct '07
John Edwards, US presidential candidate, writes on foreign policy issues related to Iran in the Journal of Foreign Affairs and mentions Iran.
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070901faessay86502/
john-edwards/reengaging-with-the-world.html