Iran

Iran update: number 118

Summary

  • Iran to answer IAEA's questions following intelligence allegations
  • P5 + Germany met in London to discuss new incentives
  • Iranian proposal on ending nuclear deadlock being seriously considered by Russia
  • Inside Iran's Natanz nuclear plant
  • NATO and E.U. criticized says Iran's nuclear programme
  • Iranians vote in second stage of parliamentary elections

IAEA and Iranian officials are to meet again later this month to discuss the IAEA's intelligence evidence of Iran's past nuclear weapon programme.

Iran update: number 117

Summary

  • IAEA seeks explanation of documents that show nuclear warhead design.
  • Diplomatic engagement with Iran: P5, Germany and the EU meet in Shanghai; IAEA encourages Iran to re-enter negotiations; Iran to extend a solution; the secret US- Iranian talks facilities by Thomas Pickering.

Iran update: number 116

Summary

  • Iran increases nuclear capacity in spite of sanctions
  • China gives IAEA intelligence about Iran's nuclear programme
  • Bush offers Iran a “way forward” – the mixed messages from US officials
  • Sarkozy says Iran is the type of threat the new French nuclear submarine is designer to counter.

BASIC in Tehran

BASIC Co-Executive Director, Paul Ingram, is to present two papers seeking to change the frame of the international debate over Iran's nuclear program to an international conference on the subject in Tehran on 9th March, hosted by the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), a think-tank closely associated with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic. One is entitled Iran's Role in Moving Towards a Nuclear Weapon Free World, the other Other solutions to Iran's Energy Insecurity.

Iran update: number 113

Summary

  • P5+1 agree new wave of sanctions on Iran
  • Iran predicts it will be using nuclear power by next year
  • A Chinese military base in Iran: the geo-political consequences
  • US Iranians oppose military action
  • Congress discusses normalizing relations with Iran and assessing the effectiveness of sanctions and the policy of isolation

After meeting on January 22, the P5+1 were reported to have agreed a draft for strengthening the existing economic sanctions against Iran.

Iran update: number 111

Summary

  • US heat turned down on Iran, in spite of the President
  • Outstanding IAEA questions to Iran
  • US statement: Iran no longer assisting Iraqi insurgents
  • Pentagon says US ships harassed by Iran
  • Congress passes Iran democracy bill
  • Iran's changing regional relationships
  • Russia begins delivery of nuclear fuel to Bushehr
  • Iran produces first nuclear fuel pellets

The New Year marked a dramatic turn-around in the mood music towards Iran in Washington, and attention focused almost entirely upon Pa