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Think Tank: Iran Nuclear Work ‘Poses A Challenge’ to Negotiated Safeguard

February 22, 2015 Iran Nuclear Program, News
Radiation Warning Symbol. Public Domain.

Radiation Warning Symbol. Public Domain.

Iran is researching technology that could enable them to partly reverse a process used to convert medium-grade nuclear fuel into peaceful medical use, according to a new report from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog. In light of the above, a think tank is recommending questions be answered about this move to determine if it’s undermining the agreement in place to prevent Iran from expanding it’s nuclear capabilities. That arrangement, the Joint Plan of Action (JPA), was put in place while a long-term nuclear deal is being negotiated with major world powers.

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) released a report on their website analyzing the latest review on Iran’s nuclear program by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The review noted that while Iran had made one step to reduce concerns they are working around the JPA, a new effort could help them recover research-grade nuclear material that was supposed to be cut down as part of the plan. … Continue Reading

Obama Says Iran Needs ‘To Make A Decision’ in Nuke Talks

February 9, 2015 Iran Nuclear Program, Peace and Conflict
Obama telling Israel to back down on Iran. US President Obama (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu (right). Israel talking to world about Iran. Illustrative. (Photo Courtesy of Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Obama telling Israel to back down on Iran. US President Obama (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu (right). Israel talking to world about Iran. Illustrative. (Photo Courtesy of Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Amidst all the reports and claims by the sides that Iran and the major world powers have narrowed their gaps in their nuclear talks, US President Barack Obama made it clear that the time has come for Iran to choose whether or not they actually want to make a deal. “The issues now are sufficiently narrowed and sufficiently clarified where we’re at point where they need to make a decision,” said Obama in a press conference posted to the White House website. “…We now know enough that the issues are no longer technical. The issues now are, does Iran have the political will and the desire to get a deal done?”

Iran leadership weren’t the only ones getting questioned by Obama, however. He also leveled a not-so-subtle hint that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shouldn’t be talking to Congress about Iran right now. An American newspaper, The New York Sun, took major issue with that—linking the move to the silencing of the Czechs in the talks with Nazi Germany right before World War II. … Continue Reading

Israel Opposes Reported Iran Nuke Deal while Iran Gloats

February 4, 2015 Iran Nuclear Program, Peace and Conflict
Really moderate, or just for show? Iranian President Rouhani. Illustrative. FEMA/Marty Bahamonde.

Really moderate, or just for show? Iranian President Rouhani. Illustrative. FEMA/Marty Bahamonde.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted little time in making clear his nation’s opposition to the reported compromise American is willing to make in a nuclear deal with Iran. In comments published by his office on Wednesday, Netanyahu said, “Israel will oppose this deal, which is dangerous to us, dangerous to the region, dangerous to the world.” While Israel doesn’t like this arrangement, Iran sounds like they do.

The statements come after The Jerusalem Post, citing Israel radio, reported that the US is open to allowing the Iranians to keep 6,500 centrifuges—machines used in the process of turning uranium into nuclear fuel—if the Iranians work to keep the Middle East quiet. Iran is a major sponsor of regional terrorism and is helping the Syrian regime stay afloat in their civil war. … Continue Reading

Iran Nuke Concerns Remain; Obama—‘May Not Be Able’ to Close Gap for Deal

November 9, 2014 Iran Nuclear Program, News
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Mark Garten.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Mark Garten.

The latest report on Iran’s nuclear program from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency still has some serious concerns about Iran’s activities, and in one case it appears they violated the interim agreement reached with major world powers just last year.

Meanwhile, with just two weeks left until the interim deal is set to expire, US President Barack Obama told CBS he isn’t sure a final deal can be reached. In an interview on “Face the Nation” and summarized on CBS’ website, Obama said there is a “final gap” to a nuclear deal with Iran that will give the Islamic Republic sanctions relief in exchange for “lock-tight assurances” they won’t build nuclear weapons. “There’s still a big gap,” said Obama. “We may not be able to get there.” … Continue Reading

Iran Says America Still ‘the Number One Enemy’; UN Still Has Nuke Concerns

November 2, 2014 Iran Nuclear Program, News
Just talking, or making progress? Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Just talking, or making progress? Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Two of the most powerful Iranian military groups reaffirmed over the weekend that the United States remains the top enemy to Iran, according to the Fars News Agency. And one of those groups, the very powerful paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC), didn’t stop there.

“The US is still the great Satan and the number one enemy of the (Islamic) revolution and the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation,” Fars quoted the IRGC statement as saying. The IRGC went so far as to accuse the US as “the house of the world’s plots and corruption that never intends to compromise and have real friendship with” Iran. The comments come amidst renewed concerns from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about Iran’s nuclear program. … Continue Reading

Iran: Drafting Final Nuke Deal with World Powers Begins

June 19, 2014 Iran Nuclear Program, News
Really moderate, or just for show? Iranian President Rouhani. Illustrative. FEMA/Marty Bahamonde.

Really moderate, or just for show? Iranian President Rouhani. Illustrative. FEMA/Marty Bahamonde.

The signals coming from the Iranians regarding the nuclear talks with the major world powers sound contradictory—and those two signals are coming from the same person. The Iranian foreign minister, on the same day he announced that they had begun drafting the final nuclear deal, also was quoted by the Fars News Agency as slamming the views of the world powers.

Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted by Fars as saying, “Some stances of the other side are completely unacceptable.” In other words, just because the sides have reached the final stretch in their talks and started talking a deal, don’t think they’re on the verge of making that deal. … Continue Reading

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