Israel

Iran update: number 131

Summary

  • United States consults Arab representatives on Iran's nuclear program
  • Condoleezza Rice asserts that U.S.-backed sanctions are having an effect
  • Iran tests new missile during naval exercises in Sea of Oman
  • Uncertainty over delivery of S-300 air defense system to Iran
  • President-elect Barack Obama announces his diplomatic approach to Iran
  • Iran's government does not expect significant policy changes from Washington
  • The United States may directly back Israel with a nuclear guarantee

 

Israel and the US: Nuclear weapons agreements

A recent article in Haaretz outlines previous agreements between US Presidents and Israel that sought to protect the Israeli nuclear deterrent from any possible US arms control proposals for the Middle East. Israel is now concerned that President Obama will not honor these informal arrangements, and is looking for reassurance that the supply of military technology will continue.

Iran update: number 110

On November 15th, Mohammed Elbaradei released his report to the IAEA board of Governors. The board is set to meet on Thursday November 22nd to consider the issue. The report finds that Iran provided “timely information” and much greater access to both documents and to personnel than previously, but did not fully answer all the IAEA's questions.