IRAN UPDATE

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

No. 109 - 13 November 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 pingram at basicint.org.

An archive of previous Iran Updates is available at: http://www.basicint.org/updates/iran.htm.

SUMMARY

• 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

The P5+1 group has drafted a third round of sanctions against Iran in advance of the IAEA Secretary-General's report, due to be presented to the Board meeting on 22-23 November. The sanctions are likely to be proposed to a Security Council meeting soon afterwards. However, talk of war in Washington has hampered consensus on applying stronger sanctions. Subsequently, in a move that has been construed as an attempt to reign in speculation, Admiral William Fallon, Head of US Central Command, stated publicly that a military strike is not being planned.

Although the report from the IAEA has yet to be published, US President Bush and French President Sarkozy have both criticized Mohammed Elbaradei's approach to Iran's nuclear programme. There was also a war of words between IAEA officials and the Israeli government. The Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz later called for Mohamed ElBaradei to be removed as head of the UN nuclear watchdog. An impossibility according to the terms of the Secretary-General's contract. The Secretary General points to the fact that Iran is years away from a nuclear weapon capability, but has mastered enrichment technology, so that efforts now need to focus on limiting the programme's scope.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said this week that U.S.-allied Gulf states were willing to set up a body to provide enriched uranium to Iran. Iran has expressed interest in the offer but has refused to stop enriching. Iranian President Ahmadinejad claims that Iran now has 3,000 centrifuges in operation.

The EU and Iran are to hold talks about Iran's nuclear programme during the last ten days of November. Saeed Jalili, (who has officially been named as Ali Larijani's replacement, as Iran's head nuclear negotiator) said that nuclear discussions would continue "with strength".

Ita O'Sullivan, BASIC

STORIES AND LINKS

China tells Iran to heed international pressure, Reuters, November 8
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSDAH73388120071108

Gates appeals to China to help U.S. on Iran, Reuters, November 6
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSPEK33017220071106

Iran's top dissident cleric calls for U.S. talks, Reuters, November 6
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSHAF64626120071106

Rice: Iran resolution doesn't ok war, Washington Post, November 11
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2007/11/11/AR2007111100833.html?sub=AR

US and Germany vow Iran diplomacy, BBC, November 10
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7089008.stm

IAEA findings on Iran dismissed, BBC, October 30
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7068478.stm

Israel, US to set up joint committees on Iran: report, AFP, November 9
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Israel_US_to_set_up_joint_committees_on_Iran
_report_999.html

Comments, Editorials and Analysis

New diplomatic push over Iran row, BBC, November 2
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7075152.stm

U.S. attack on Iran may "open Pandora's box", Reuters, November 7
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSDAH71986920071107

War fears complicate sanctions moves on Iran, Reuters, November 7
http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSL3051339620071106

The Bush-Merkel Summit: Washington Must Pressure Berlin Over Iran, Heritage Foundation, November 9
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Iran/wm1700.cfm