'US steps up spying on Turkey, Brazil'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159041.html


The US spy agencies have cranked up their intelligence operations against Turkey and Brazil after the two countries adopted independent policies towards Iran's nuclear standoff with the West.

According to a report by the US-based prominent investigative journalist Wayne Madsen, which dates back to May 2010, the US intelligence agencies have set in motion new intelligence operations against Turkey and Brazil after the two countries frowned upon Washington's policies concerning the Islamic Republic's peaceful nuclear program, a PressTV correspondent reported.

Madsen pointed to widespread assumptions by Washington that Brazil and Turkey had clandestinely held talks with China and Russia in an effort to form an alliance to veto the latest UN Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran.

Although the US-engineered anti-Iran sanctions resolution passed the UN Security Council (UNSC), Brazil and Turkey took the rare move to vote against it, with Lebanon abstaining from the vote.

Washington has never shied away from making it known that it would expect no less than a unanimous vote on UNSC resolution that it sponsors. That is why it was widely considered unprecedented, and rather brave, for Turkey and Brazil to vote independently on the measure.

According to remarks by senior Iranian officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, there were other members of the UNSC that privately expressed reservations about voting for the Western-backed anti-Iran measure and that the pressure of adverse action against their country was too costly for them to ignore.

The fourth round of sanctions was adopted against Tehran over its uranium enrichment program -- which has been misleadingly portrayed as a threat in the West despite repeated confirmations by the International Atomic Energy Agency about the non-diversion of nuclear material in the country.

The reminder on the report comes as Iran has recently invited representatives and ambassadors from different countries to inspect its nuclear facilities in yet another effort to demonstrate its goodwill and transparency of its nuclear program.

Iran, Brazil and Turkey issued a joint nuclear swap declaration on May 17, based on which Tehran agrees to exchange 1,200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium with higher-enriched fuel on Turkish soil for its Tehran research reactor.

Under the declaration, Turkey, as the custodian of Iran's uranium, makes the commitment to return Iran's uranium in case potential suppliers refuse to provide Iran with the fuel it requires within a reasonable time period.

Ex-CIA agent detained over 'Iran leak'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159056.html


A former CIA intelligence officer has been arrested by US authorities for leaking classified information exposing Washington's schemes to sabotage Iran's nuclear program.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Jeffrey Alexander Sterling in the city of St. Louis on Thursday for disclosing national defense information to a New York Times reporter.

Details in Sterling's indictment suggest that the case is connected to a 2006 book written by the daily's reporter James Risen. The book, Sate of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration, contains details about the spy agency's plans to sabotage Iran's nuclear research program.

According to Risen, in an operation codenamed “Merlin” the United States attempted to provide Iran with flawed blueprints for key nuclear components through a Russian nuclear scientist.

However, the scientist allegedly double-crossed, cooperating with the Iranian side in revealing the flaws in the designs. The Iranians were able to “extract valuable information from the blueprints while ignoring the flaws,” the book adds.

Iranian observers, however, scoff at the report, emphasizing that the Iranian scientist do not need others to point out design flaws and that they are competent enough to detect potential flaws on their own.

Sterling, who worked at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1993 until he was fired in 2002, had served as the chief operations officer handling a “human asset” in a program related to the nuclear capabilities of a foreign country, said the indictment charges.

The United States, as the only country to have used a nuclear weapon on another state, adamantly opposes Iran's nuclear program, claiming without any evidence that it harbors a secret military aspect.

Tehran has refuted the accusations, arguing that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has the right to benefit from the peaceful applications of the nuclear technology.

As a member of the NPT, Iran has long pushed efforts to establish a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East, insisting on a global elimination of nuclear weapons.

India 'concerned' over sanctions on Iran

India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=133540§ionid=351020103



The US unilateral sanctions against Iran could have a "direct impact" on India's energy sector, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has said.

On Thursday, US President Barack Obama signed into law new unilateral sanctions against Tehran aimed at preventing Iran's access to imports of refined oil products.

The bill will deny companies that supply Iran with refined petroleum products access to US markets.

It came less than a month after the UN Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over the country's nuclear program.

"We are justifiably concerned that the extra-territorial nature of certain unilateral sanctions recently imposed by individual countries, with their restrictions on investment by third countries in Iran's energy sector, can have a direct and adverse impact on Indian companies," Rao said in the Strategic Dialogue on India and Iran seminar in New Delhi.

She reiterated India's support of "dialogue and avoidance of confrontation," saying the peaceful use of nuclear energy within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was the right of all nations, The Hindu reported.

Total: Iran sanctions serious mistake

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=133135§ionid=351020103



The CEO of French energy giant Total, Christophe de Margerie, says imposing sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program was a "serious mistake."

Speaking at an economic forum in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, Margerie confirmed Total had suspended fuel deliveries to Iran in line with sanctions adopted by the UN, US and the EU.

"I maintain this is a mistake. The embargo affects the population, too many things are politicized these days," he told the media on Friday.

Margerie noted that an embargo on petrol products would harm ordinary people in Iran.

"We do not think an embargo on the delivery of petrol products is a good way to settle differences of a political nature," he said.

He stressed that Total would resume deliveries at the first opportunity, saying it was a "serious mistake to mix things that are civil and political."

The UN Security Council adopted a fourth round of sanctions against Iran on June 9, despite strong opposition by Turkey and Brazil — both temporary members of the council.

This is while in addition, US President Barack Obama approved unilateral Iran sanctions on Thursday. The EU is also set to finalize further measures at a meeting of foreign ministers on July 26.

Iran sends 'warning letter' to EU

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=132866§ionid=351020101



Iran has reportedly sent a letter to EU foreign ministers to warn about "dire consequences" of the EU decision to impose tougher sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

"Undoubtedly, such a confrontational approach may have dire consequences in the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European Union," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a copy of the letter to EU foreign ministers obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.

The EU's decision "will definitely cause far greater losses for the European Union itself rather than for the Islamic Republic of Iran as this is amply demonstrated in all previous statistics," said the letter, which was received on Tuesday.

Mottaki's letter also said the 27-nation bloc "will practically deny itself of the potentially strategic cooperation of a powerful and influential partner in the sensitive region of the Middle East and Persian Gulf."

"Let us hope that the European Union will not succumb to US pressures to march on a wrong path that will only produce everlasting shame before the free-minded nations of the world," he added.

At a European Council summit in Brussels on June 17, EU leaders approved new sanctions against Iran that include a ban on new investment, technical assistance, and technology transfers to Iran's huge oil and gas industry, particularly for refining and liquefied natural gas.

The unilateral EU sanctions came after a US-proposed sanctions resolution against Iran was passed at the UN Security Council on June 9.

Tehran has repeatedly declared that it will never relinquish the legitimate nuclear rights of the Iranian nation, no matter how much pressure the Westerns impose on the country.

Majlis orders 20% uranium enrichment

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130660§ionid=351020101



Iranian Parliament (Majlis) speaker calls for the extension of Iran's uranium enrichment to a base level of 20-percent, as the US and EU continue efforts to impose additional unilateral sanctions on Tehran.

Addressing Iranian lawmakers at a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani criticized the West for putting together a new round of punitive measure against Iran, describing such pressures as "unjustified."

The Majlis speaker went on to censure EU members and the US for their failure to deliver their promise of supplying fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor, adding that the West had failed to respect the rules and regulations of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"Majlis calls on the government to lay the base level for its enrichment activities at 20 percent as these countries have failed to respect the NPT regulations and did not supply fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor," the Fars news agency quoted Larijani as saying.

He urged the Iranian government to put up strong resistance against such measures, "so that the non-committed bullying countries realize that their unjustified pressure would only prompt Iran to raise the level of its enrichment activities based on its [domestic] requirements."

The remarks come as EU member states agreed on Monday to push ahead with plans to move beyond sanctions adopted in a United Nations Security Council resolution last week with additional measures.

On June 9, the Security Council adopted a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

The new sanctions include further restrictions on trade insurance and financial transactions, and would target Iran's transport sector, particularly its shipping and air cargo operators.

Meanwhile, Larijani reacted to sanctions targeting Iran's shipping industry and warned the West of taking retaliatory measures against their ships.

"I am warning the US and certain adventurous countries that in case they plan to inspect the cargo of Iranian ships and planes, they should rest assured that we will do the same in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman," he said.

"This retaliation is part of our policy to protect our national interests," Larijani added.

Tehran rejects Western accusations of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, arguing that the International Atomic Energy Agency in numerous reports has confirmed the non-diversion of nuclear material in Iran.

Saudis say they won't help Iran's enemy

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130164§ionid=351020205


Saudi Arabia has denied a British report claiming Riyadh had agreed to allow Israel to use its airspace to attack Iran.

Saudi Arabia "rejects violating its sovereignty or the use of its airspace or territories by anyone to attack any country," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying on Saturday. But it declined to name the official.

The source called the allegations "false" and "slanderous" and stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates its position of firm opposition to and rejection of the violation of its sovereignty and the use of its airspace or territory by anyone to attack any country.

It is more appropriate that Saudi Arabia should apply this policy to the authority of the Israeli occupation regime, with which it has no relationship in any way, SPA quoted him as saying.

'Saudis to allow airspace for Iran war'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130086§ionid=351020205



Saudi Arabia has reportedly launched a series of military maneuvers aimed at allowing Israeli jets to use the kingdom's airspace for an aerial attack on Iranian nuclear sites.

US defense sources speaking on condition of anonymity told The Times on Sunday that Israel has been given overflight clearance by Saudi Arabia and is permitted to use northern Saudi airspace in the event of military confrontation with Iran.

To clear the way for Israeli bombers en route to Iran, Riyadh has reportedly been conducting tests to practice keeping its own jets out of harms way while ensuring that missile systems in the kingdom remain completely deactivated.

"The Saudis have given their permission for the Israelis to pass over and they will look the other way," one US defense source said on Saturday.

"They have already done tests to make sure their own jets aren't scrambled and no one gets shot down. This has all been done with the agreement of the [US] State Department," he added.

Meanwhile, Arab sources reported that Saudi defense officials had made arrangements with Israel in case it decided to carry out its long-stalled military plans against Iran, stating that they both share a mutual hatred for the Iranian government and its nuclear activities.

For years, Israel has threatened to bomb Iran's nuclear installations. However, the likelihood of any such attack has significantly increased due to Tel Aviv's growing impatience with international sanctions, which have failed to change Tehran's stance on its peaceful nuclear issue.

Dodging scrutiny over its own arsenal of up to 200 nuclear weapons, Israel accuses Iran of refining uranium for military purposes.

Iran, however, dismisses the allegation, saying its nuclear activities are solely aimed at peaceful energy production and under close supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Majlis to legislate drop in IAEA ties

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129840§ionid=351020104



A top member of Iran's Parliament (Majlis) vowed to push for legislation to reduce Iran's relations with IAEA following UN Security Council (UNSC) vote on another anti-Iran sanctions resolution.

Describing the US-led effort in the UNSC as "a political, illegal and a failed move," Chairman of the Majlis Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi announced that his committee will begin deliberations Sunday to draft legislation for reducing Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mehr News Agency reported Wednesday.

He charged that the United States and Israel were desperately seeking to generate a hot event in order to deviate the global focus on the recent Israeli military assault on Gaza-bound aid convoy Freedom Flotilla.

They are now under the illusion that they have achieved their aim by the UNSC's sanctions vote, said Boroujerdi.

He emphasized that the only way forward in the Iranian nuclear issue will be the Tehran Declaration initiated jointly by Iran, Turkey and Brazil last month.

The senior Majlis member reiterated that his committee's draft of legislation to reduce collaborations with the IAEA would be prepared and submitted to the Majlis floor for a vote.

The foreign ministers of Iran, Turkey, and Brazil signed a declaration in Tehran on May 17, according to which Iran would ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel rods to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.

The nuclear declaration gives Iran the guarantee in had sought earlier in negotiation with the P5+1 group, since the low-enriched uranium would be stored in Turkey and returned Tehran if Iran does not receive the 20-percent enriched nuclear fuel within one year.

Despite the fact that Iran agreed to conduct the fuel swap in a third country — a demand by the West that Iran had previously rejected due to guarantee concerns — the UNSC still went ahead with voting on a resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran.

UN approves new Iran sanctions

Source: Al Jazeera
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/201069151616338111.html


The United Nations Security Council has overwhelmingly agreed to a new package of economic sanctions against Iran.

Twelve of the council's 15 members voted on Wednesday to approve the sanctions resolution.

Turkey and Brazil both voted against the resolution, while Lebanon abstained.

Barack Obama, the US president, called the resolution "the toughest sanctions ever faced" by the Iranian government.

"We recognise Iran's rights. But with those rights come responsibilities," Obama said at the White House.

"And time and again, the Iranian government has failed to meet those responsibilities."

Susan Rice, the United States ambassador to the UN, praised the vote as a "decisive" move against Iran's nuclear programme, which she called a "grave threat to international security."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, was one of several high-ranking Iranian officials to quickly condemn the decision. Ahmadinejad said the sanctions would not have an impact on Iran.

"Sanctions are falling on us from the left and the right. For us they are the same as pesky flies," Ahmadinejad said. "We have patience and we will endure throughout all of this."

Security Council 'damaged'

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of the Iranian parliament's national security committee, said lawmakers would review the level of Iran's co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

And Manouchehr Mottaki, the Iranian foreign minister, said the vote "damaged" the UN Security Council.

Several other European countries praised the sanctions resolution,and the Chinese government endorsed it while insisting that it still wanted a diplomatic solution.

Victor Gao, director of the China National Association of International Studies, a government think-tank, said China could have vetoed the resolution but actually asked for full implementation of it.

"This resolution is a watered down version compared to original requests raised by the US and some of its allies," he told Al Jazeera.

"China has emphasised that diplomacy, engagement and dialogue with Iran is a better solution, especially after Turkey and Brazil reached the agreement with Iran about the swap of nuclear materials."

But Gao said that most of the key provisions in this resolution were not mandatory requirements on the party members.

"Therefore a country like China can choose to implement it or not," he said.
"It basically creates the legal justification for those countries that want to take these actions as specified in the resolution."

Further negotiations

The new package of sanctions expands an existing arms embargo against Iran, and prevents the country from importing technology for certain kinds of ballistic missiles.

It also imposes an asset ban and a travel freeze on more than three dozen companies and individuals, including Javad Rahiqi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre.

Brazil and Turkey, both of whom last month negotiated a nuclear fuel swap dealwith Iran, warned that the new sanctions package would spoil the prospect of continued diplomacy with Tehran.

"We do not see sanctions as an effective instrument... [the] spiral of sanctions, threats and isolation can result in tragic consequences," said Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil's ambassador to the UN.

"The concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.... will not be resolved until dialogue begins."

Ahmadinejad has warned that the sanctions bill would scrap the fuel swap deal, which was agreed to last month.

Under the proposed deal, Iran would ship 1200 kilograms of enriched uranium to Turkey in return for nuclear fuel for a reactor in Tehran.

The US and its allies have been indifferent to the proposal, saying it was not a serious offer.

Putin: Iran sanctions agreed upon

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129554§ionid=351020104



Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said fresh UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program have been "practically agreed upon."

"We have worked a lot and believe that the resolution is practically agreed upon," Putin said at a press conference during an Asian security summit in Turkey.

He, however, added that the sanctions should not be "excessive."

"Our point of view is that these decisions should not put Iran's leadership or the Iranian people in a tricky situation... they should not create barriers in the way of developing Iran's peaceful nuclear energy," the Russian premier said.

Putin also promised that regardless of the sanctions, Iran's long-delayed nuclear power plant in Bushehr will come online in August.

Russia signed an agreement with Iran to build the power station in the southern city 15 years ago. However, Moscow has repeatedly delayed the implementation of the project.

Putin added that he is expected to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Istanbul, where the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is underway.

The remarks come ahead of a US-pursued Security Council vote to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Tehran.

A longtime trade partner, Russia has traditionally opposed the adoption of fresh sanctions on Iran. But in recent months, the veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council has used double standards in dealing with Tehran's nuclear program.

While welcoming Iran's May 17 tripartite nuclear declaration, the Kremlin has struck deals with Washington to join its sanctions campaign.

The Russian move has been criticized by Iran, which has stressed that it has a right to peaceful nuclear technology as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Under Tehran's nuclear declaration, Iran expressed readiness to swap its low enriched uranium on Turkish soil with fuel for the Tehran research reactor -- a proposal originally outlined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a diplomatic solution to the nuclear standoff.

Western powers reacted to the declaration with skepticism, and once again called on Iran to completely halt its uranium enrichment on order to avoid sanctions.

The declaration has received backing from independent states and international organizations, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Iran rejects Western allegations that it is seeking a military nuclear program, arguing that all the IAEA reports have confirmed the non-diversion of nuclear material in Iran.

Iran warns against fresh sanctions

Source: Al Jazeera
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/2010686103157808.html

Imposing fresh sanctions on Iran will end any prospect of negotiations over the country's controversial nuclear programme, the Iranian president has said.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told reporters in Istanbul on Tuesday that any future participation in nuclear talks is contingent on the attitude of Western countries who accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

"The US government and its allies are so mistaken that if they think they can brandish the stick of resolution and then sit down to talk with us, such a thing will not happen," he said.

"We will talk to everyone if there is respect and fairness but if someone wants to talk to us rudely and in a domineering manner the response is known already."

Ahmadinejad's remarks came as the UN Security Council prepared to consult the contents of a draft resolution that would impose new sanctions on Tehran for its failure to submit to Western demands over its nuclear programme.

UN vote

The draft resolution - the fourth mandating sanctions against Iran - is being sponsored by the five premanant members of the Security Council: the US, Britain, France, China and Russia, and is expected to be voted on Wednesday.

The draft is believed to outline plans for so-called "smart sanctions" against businesses and individuals linked to Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. The resolution would also expand an existing arms embargo, and tighten restrictions on Iran’s financial and shipping industries.

Alireza Ronaghi, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran, said it that if passed, the sanctions would not have a drastic effect on the Iranian economy.

"It's important to remember that the Iranian economy has been under sanction for 30 years now," he said. "None of the sanctions are going to choke the Iranian economy,"

The Iranian president is hoping that his warning, made at a regional security summit in Turkey, will sow seeds of doubt in the minds of Russian and Chinese leaders, who have ensured previous drafts of the resolution were watered down, and can veto security council resolutions.

But Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, in Istanbul, said that there is no guarantee the strategy will work.

"A lot of pieces are still in the air," she said. "If the main players, Russian and China, are still signed up to the idea of sanctions, then sanctions will go ahead."

Ahmadinejad used the summit to warn Russia against coming out "beside the enemies of the Iranian people".

He also urged Western leaders not to miss the "opportunity" presented by a fuel swap deal brokered with Turkey and Brazil last month.

"I hope they will put this to good use," he said. "Opportunities will not be repeated."

Under the proposed deal, Iran would ship 1200 kilograms of enriched uranium to Turkey in return for nuclear fuel for a reactor in Tehran.

The US and its allies have been indifferent to the proposal, saying it was not a serious offer.

US & Allies agree on New Iran Sanctions

Source: Al Jazeera
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/americas/2010/06/07/us-and-allies-agree-new-iran-sanctions


The United States and its allies have agreed upon the wording for a new round of United Nations sanctions against Iran. They are pushing for a vote in the UN Security Council as soon as Wednesday, but efforts could stall over new demands by Brazil and Turkey, as well as the list of individuals and companies who will be the subjects of an asset freeze and travel ban.

On Tuesday morning, Security Council ambassadors will meet behind closed doors in New York after a request by Brazil and Turkey, who want an open debate on the draft resolution before it is put to a vote.

Brazil and Turkey have been sitting out negotiations in protest, ever since the West refused to endorse the fuel swap deal they negotiated last month with Iran. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan have said the agreement, while not addressing all of the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme, makes moving forward with sanctions unnecessary.

According to diplomatic sources, the permanent five members of the Council (the US, the UK, France, Russia and China), plus Germany, are also in agreement over the list – referred to in an annexe to the resolution – which names individuals and companies for sanctions. They are waiting for feedback from the council's 10 other members before putting it “in blue” – or initiating the formal process for scheduling the vote, which takes 24 hours.

The resolution would expand an existing arms embargo, and tighten restrictions on Iran’s financial and shipping industries. Western diplomats are confident the draft has enough votes to pass but would like the Security Council to appear as unified as possible.

IAEA turns its attention to Israel

By: Alan Fisher

Source: Al Jazeera
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/2010/06/201067185820611286.html


In a sprawling office complex on the edge of Vienna stands the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world's nuclear watchdog.

It has a number of meetings throughout the year, when the 35 nation board of directors get together to discuss the latest reports. It is normally a run-of-the mill affair.

But the meeting that got under way today is important for two reasons.

Firstly, for the first time in 19 years, the gathering will discuss "Israel's nuclear capability".

Coming clean?

The item has been forced onto the agenda by the 18 nation Arab block, elevating Israel to the same status as Iran and Syria.

Yukiya Amano, the new director general of the IAEA, is already drawing up a report discussing ways to make Israel open up its facilities to international inspection and sign up to the international non-proliferation treaty, which would commit it to disarmament. That should be delivered in September.

Israel, of course, employs a deliberate policy of ambiguity over its nuclear capabilities; never confirming, never denying.

But the decision to have it on the agenda is a set back not just for Israel but also for its supporters.

Iran's ambassador to the IAEA is Ali Asghar Soltanieh. He emerges from the closed door meeting to tell us: "US, Canada and European Union, they preferred not to discuss Israel's nuclear capability, but they joined the consensus because they had no other choice."

A 'special case'

Syria is also on the agenda. Three years ago the Israelis bombed a remote site in the Syrian desert. It was thought it was a North Korean inspired reactor complex. For the last two years Syria has refused IAEA follow-up access, leaving the nuclear watchdog to wonder if there is another covert operation underway.

But it is Iran that will dominate discussions. Amano says it's a "special case" for his monitoring teams because of suspicions it might be hiding experimental nuclear weapons programs.

Iran freely admits it has a nuclear program but insists it is for civilian purposes.

The IAEA report will echo far beyond this meeting. There are those at the United Nations who are marshalling support in the Security Council for a fresh round of sanctions against Tehran. They have now been handed some powerful words to help their campaign and boost their argument.

Israel has been the loudest in highlighting what it sees as the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran.

But if it wants the international community to take stern action against Tehran, there are a growing number of countries who think that is a position it cannot pursue until it finally comes clean about its own nuclear capabilities.

'Russia remarks will come at own expense'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129374§ionid=351020101



A senior Iranian official says recent claims made by Russia President Dmitry Medvedev regarding Tehran's uranium enrichment are "implausible".

"It is hard to believe that the Russian President actually made such comments and has adopted such a stance against Iran," said lawmaker Mohammad-Reza Mirtajeddini, Vice-President for Parliamentary Affairs, on Monday.

Mirtajeddini, who was speaking in an exclusive interview with Mehr News Agency, added that Russia will soon realize that its cynical approach towards Iran's nuclear issue will come at the Kremlin's own expense.

"Russia's decision to follow in the footsteps of the Americans is going to cost them as it will undoubtedly give rise to global condemnation," he continued.

Mirtahjeddini made the comments a day after Medvedev described Iran as "irresponsible" and urged the country to pay heed to what he called world demands over its uranium enrichment activities.

"The situation is this: An agreement on sanctions exists," the Russian president had said following talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. "We hope that the voice of the international community is heard by the Iranian leadership."

"Such expressions of irresponsible behavior cannot be continued. What is said internationally needs to be listened to. Only this way can the most complex tasks be solved," he said.

A longtime trade partner, Russia has traditionally opposed the adoption of fresh sanctions on Iran, but in recent months, the Kremlin has joined in on US calls for an end to Tehran's nuclear program.

Russia warns against Iran sanctions

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129036§ionid=351020104



Russia and China have warned against attempts to lobby for further sanctions against Iran in a UN Security Council vote due to be held on Tehran's nuclear program.

"We are against forcing the voting process," Interfax news agency quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying in Beijing on Friday.

The United States has been stepping up efforts to persuade veto-wielding UNSC members Russia and China to agree to a new round of sanctions against Iran.

The US and European powers, along with Israel, accuse Iran of efforts to obtain nuclear bombs.

Iran, however, strongly dismisses the allegations, insisting its nuclear activities are completely peaceful, aimed at meeting the growing domestic energy demand and providing the radio medicine needed for treating cancer patients.

A number of Western diplomats have revealed that the Security Council is expected to vote next week on the US-brokered resolution which, if approved, would impose new sanctions on Iran.

The US-led campaign for sanctions comes despite the issuance of a fuel swap declaration by Iran, Brazil and Turkey on May 17.

Under the declaration, Iran agreed to send some 1,200 kg of its 3.5 percent enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for a total of 120 kg of 20 percent uranium for the Tehran research reactor.

"Even if approved by the UN Security Council, a new anti-Iran resolution would be inefficient," Ali-Akbar Salehi, director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said on Thursday.

Salehi added that due to Tehran's lawful position and strong diplomacy the case would eventually end in Iran's favor.


5 +1 negotiations, IAEA UN, Iran US, nuclear energy, nuclear fuel swap, Tehran declaration, Turkey Brazil Iran deal, UN security council, World United News

Iran warns Israel against deploying subs

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=128394§ionid=351020101



A top Iranian lawmaker has called for "serious measures" against possible Israeli threats, amid reports that Tel Aviv is to deploy submarines in the Persian Gulf.

According to a Sunday Times report, Israel plans to send three German-made submarines with nuclear cruise missiles to the Persian Gulf near the Iranian coastline.

"If the report on the entrance of Israeli nuclear submarines is true, this will be a threat to the Persian Gulf region's security," the head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi was quoted as saying by Mehr news agency.

"[Iranian] officials should seriously consider the issue and take the necessary measures to prevent this security threat in the region," he added.

Israel has never ruled out military action against Iran to halt the country's nuclear program. Iran says it will give a "crushing response" to any act of aggression.

Israel and the US, along with their Western allies, accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons.

Iran has categorically denied the allegations, saying it has the right to a nuclear program for peaceful purposes as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran warns Russia over nuclear stance

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127898§ionid=351020101



Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned that Russia's stance against the Tehran declaration could turn it into an "enemy" of the Iranian nation.

"Russian leaders should not create a situation that makes Iranian people place Russia in the ranks of their historic enemies," Ahmadinejad said in a speech in Kerman on Wednesday.

His comments came in response to Russia's decision to back a US-proposed UN Security Council resolution against Iran.

"Today, it has become difficult for us to explain [Russian President Dmitry] Medvedev's behavior to the Iranian nation. The [Iranian] people don't know whether they [Russian officials] are our friends or are after something else," the Fars news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.

"If I were the Russian president, when taking decisions on subjects related to the great Iranian nation, I would think things through more," he said.

The Iranian president also warned the US to be careful not to miss the opportunity offered by the Tehran nuclear swap declaration.

Ahmadinejad said the declaration brokered by Turkey and Brazil could be the last chance to get things right.

According to the declaration, signed by Iran, Turkey, and Brazil on May 17, Tehran would ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.

'Tehran declaration leaves no excuse'

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127807§ionid=351020101


Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has termed Tehran's nuclear fuel swap declaration as the last opportunity for the West to resolve Iran's nuclear case.

"There are no excuses left as Tehran's declaration is the best opportunity. We have taken important steps," President Ahmadinejad said during a speech in the southeastern province of Kerman.

Iran, Turkey and Brazil issued a trilateral nuclear declaration in the Iranian capital of Tehran on May 17.

According to the declaration, Iran agrees to ship 1200 kg of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for 120 kg of 20-percent enriched fuel it requires for producing medical isotopes at the Tehran Research Reactor.

"We have a reactor in Tehran which produces radio medicines. Around 800,000 people annually use such medicines. Twenty five years ago, Iran bought nuclear fuel enriched up to the level of 20 percent from Argentina for use in its Tehran Research Reactor. It is currently running out of fuel," he added.

President Ahmadinejad also urged the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to support Iran's nuclear activities.

Moreover, he said that US President Barack Obama "should bear in mind that if he does not use this opportunity, Iranians are unlikely to give him a new chance."

"We hate bullying and aggression. However, we will not succumb to aggression and tyranny. We consider the international relations today as unjust. We want just relation with world countries," he went on to say.

"All world nations have joined the powerful and revolutionary rank of the Iranian nation. Those arrogant and tyrant powers should either give up or be obliterated," the Iranian chief executive further explained.

"Some countries themselves possess nuclear weapons, they wield veto powers and they enjoy powerful armies. They occupy lands and they kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people. They are among the most dictatorial regimes and they support the most dictatorial regimes in the world and at the same time they chant the slogans of supporting the human rights," he stated.

"The Iranian nation favors justice in all areas. As for the international arena, we favor just relations all over the world. We hate aggression and will not bow to aggression," he concluded.

IAEA chief hails Tehran declaration

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127287§ionid=351020104


International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano has welcomed Tehran's nuclear deceleration as a way to break the impasse in Iran's nuclear program.

Amano expressed confidence that the joint initiative by Tehran, Turkey and Brazil will ease the existing deadlock, but noted that he was awaiting a letter of specific content within a week regarding the manner in which the swap operation would be conducted, reported Actmedia, the Romanian news agency, quoting Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi who spoke after a meeting with the IAEA chief on Friday.

Amano began a visit to Romania on Tuesday to boost IAEA's role in promoting nuclear power applications for civil purposes, including the medical field, said an IRNA dispatch quoting Actmedia.

In reference to Iran's nuclear program, Romania also expressed optimism that the IAEA takes adequate measures to boost nuclear safety and security.

Earlier on Friday, Tehran formally announced its willingness to brief the IAEA on the tripartite nuclear declaration.

The office of IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano set May 24 as the date to receive Iranian diplomats in Vienna, according to the report.

Under the declaration, Tehran agrees to send some 1,200 kg of its 3.5 percent-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for 120 kg of 20 percent-enriched uranium.

The declaration received a warm welcome from different heads of states and international organizations, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.