Iran

The P5 discuss disarmament in Geneva

This week, the NPT nuclear weapon states—also the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (P5: United Kingdom, United States, China, France, and Russia) meet in Geneva to reaffirm their commitments to nuclear disarmament and implementing the 2010 NPT Action Plan. The group will meet privately on Thursday, and on Friday will present a statement that will be carried through to the NPT Preparatory Committee meeting (PrepCom), which commences the following Monday, April 22nd.

Iran Update No. 167

The E3+3, Iran, and the Almaty talks

Last week's talks were deemed by many commentators as a failure. Rather than responding directly to the E3+3’s (P5+1's) agenda around initial small confidence-building steps, the Iranian delegation appears to have looked for reassurances that the end-state would include lifting the sanctions and recognition of Iran’s right to enrich, and that the group of six was serious in recognizing objectives of the Iranian delegation.

Op-Ed: David Cameron’s Nuclear Fantasy Land

David Cameron argues for replacing the Trident nuclear system due to future uncertainties and threats from North Korea and Iran. The author criticizes this stance, highlighting the historical context, fragility of nuclear deterrence, and alternative security challenges. They argue that reliance on nuclear weapons is a misguided strategy in a rapidly changing global security environment.

Nuclear Non-proliferation in the Gulf Roundtable Report

This is a themed report arising out of a BASIC roundtable event in Istanbul on March 25th and 26th, a few weeks before the 2013 Preparatory Committee in Geneva. Involving participants from all over the region, including GCC states, Iran, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, as well as the United States, UK and Germany, this meeting discussed the health of the non-proliferation regime as it affected the Gulf region and placed today’s debates in a longer-term context.

Gulf states discuss non-proliferation, Iran, and the NPT

This week, BASIC is in Istanbul hosting our second conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Gulf. Decision shapers–including officials and experts–from the Gulf region, Iran, the UK, and the US are meeting to discuss the current state of global nuclear diplomacy and collective security in the region, the potential for nuclear proliferation in the Gulf and Middle East, the prospects of the establishment of a nuclear and WMD-free zone in the Middle East

Roundtable on Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Gulf: Istanbul, 25-26 March 2013

BASIC is hosting its second annual meeting on nuclear non-proliferation in the Gulf this coming Monday and Tuesday. There will be a number of experts and officials attending from the region.

BASIC’s Executive Director, Paul Ingram, says: “States around the Gulf face daunting security challenges, and it is crucial they communicate clearly and unambiguously their intention to seek strong international regimes that prevent nuclear proliferation and strengthen regional security. This can only happen through open and honest dialogue.”

Iran Update No. 166

  • United States and Iran claim willingness to negotiate, but on what terms?
  • E3+3 (P5+1) talks end with an agreement for future talks
  • IAEA meets with Iran; new Agency report indicates Iran installing new centrifuges but curbing stockpiles of sensitive fissile material
  • U.S. expands sanctions on Iran, but Israel urges for even tighter measures
  • Concerns over the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
  • In advance of Obama's visit to Israel, report indicates Iran to deliver non-nuclear weapons pledge
  • U.S. Director of Intelligence: Iran has not decided to build nuclear weapons