Posts Tagged ‘Islamic Republic’

Iran’s Ace Weapon: Why the US Won’t Gamble on an Iranian War

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

by Finian Cunningham

image

Global Research, April 22, 2010

Given the crescendo of veiled and increasingly unveiled military threats by the US and Israel against Iran, one has to admire the Iranians for their coolness under extreme pressure. The latest despicable – and in some legal opinion, criminal – threat by the White House that it would use atomic weapons against nuclear-unarmed Iran in the event of a conflict has been dismissed by the authorities in Tehran, who say they remain determined to pursue their civilian nuclear energy programme.

Far from being cowered, Iran has just launched three days of military war games in the Persian Gulf. The Islamic Republic carries out such manoeuvres every summer, but this year it has brought the exercises forward. No official explanation has been given, but it clearly is meant to be a signal to the US and its coterie of western allies that Iran will not be brow beaten by threats of economic sanctions and military strikes, including the threat of unleashing the most terrifying of weapons.

In this game of high-stakes poker, how is it that Iran can stay so composed? It is because Iran holds the ultimate weapon, not a weapon of mass destruction that the US claims it is seeking, but a weapon of mass disruption firmly within its grasp and ready to trigger immediately – the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

This is the narrow stretch of sea between Iran and the United Arab Emirates and Oman to its south that connects the Persian Gulf to open international waters. Some 40 per cent of global ship-borne crude oil passes through this channel every day. According to the US-based Energy Information Administration, an average of 15 tankers carry 16-17 million tonnes of crude oil through the Strait daily. Oil producers in the Gulf, including the world’s top supplier, Saudi Arabia, are totally dependent on this passage for their oil exports, which account for 80-90 per cent these countries’ total revenues. This is the world’s most sensitive choke-point for oil trade.

Iran has previously said that if it is attacked by the US or its allies it will blockade the Strait, and no doubt the current war games in the Gulf are aimed at underlining this warning. But it is only recently that Iran has acquired the maritime capability to deliver on its counter-threat. For example, during the 1980-88 war with Iraq when Iran was being bombed with chemical weapons by US client Saddam Hussein, Tehran did not have the capability to shut off the Strait. Nor in 1988 when the US shot down an Iranian civilian airline, killing 290 people onboard.

But over the last few years, Iran has invested heavily in building up a fleet of high-speed military boats equipped with anti-ship missiles and sonar-evading torpedoes. And it can be safely assumed that the Iranians have perfected maneouvres to ensure the rapid and complete shut-down of all shipping out of the Gulf. This task is made all the more feasible by the natural geography of the Strait. The Persian Gulf is a shallow sea so any ships that are sunk would represent hazardous obstacles that could not be easily removed. Also, although the Strait is some 20 miles across, the shipping traffic lanes are only six miles wide: two miles for incoming tankers, two for outgoing and two miles for a separation margin between both.

Under international maritime law, Iran (along with Oman) has sovereign territorial rights over these waters. Iran has under United Nations law agreed to grant "innocent passage" to ships through its waters provided there is no infringement of its security. Therefore, as energy analyst Ali Mallakin points out, Iran has the legal right to withhold passage if "its sovereignty is not respected" such as if the US were to launch a unilateral military strike against the country.

By that stage, of course, the argument will be merely academic. For the US will have launched yet another criminal war and the world economy will be plunged into darkness. Given the fragile state of the international economy, shutting off the Strait of Hormuz will explode the price of oil and with that any vain hope of economic recovery. Sitting under a multi-trillion-dollar mountain of debt, the US has furthest to crash and the social implications for this crumbling empire – already seething from widespread misery – cannot be overstated. The consequences for the US will quite possibly be more powerful than those from any weapon of mass destruction.

Both Iran and the US know this. Despite the chips that Washington is piling on to the poker table, both players know that it is Tehran that holds the high ace. That’s why the US will not dare gamble a war on Iran. And it will keep its Israeli attack dog muzzled.

Finian.cunningham@gmail.com

Finian Cunningham is a frequent contributor to Global Research. Global Research Articles by Finian Cunningham

 

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18799

‘Iran to go nuclear within month’

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

 

'Iran to go nuclear within month'
Photo by: ap

‘Iran to go nuclear within month’

By JPOST.COM STAFF
13/04/2010 14:58

Energy official warns no country will contemplate strike on Teheran.

Talkbacks (37)

Iran will join the global nuclear club within one month, according to the deputy research chief of the Islamic Republic’s Atomic Energy of Iran (AEOI).
The state-run Fars news agency on Tuesday quoted Behzad Soltani, who also serves as the secretary-general of the AEOI’s Scientific Cooperation Council, as saying that “no country would ever think about attacking Iran” once the nuclear threshold has been crossed.
“We do not intend to use the peaceful nuclear energy merely for generating electricity and energy. Rather, our next step would be expanding use of this technology,” Soltani reportedly said. Radiation, he said, can ensure that “foodstuffs, proteins and vegetables are preserved for a longer time and with a higher quality.”
Soltani added that construction work on a large-scale nuclear power plant and a smaller research reactor in the Iranian city of Arak is nearing completion and is now at 70 percent.
The technology, he said, would enable Iran to improve its political, economic and technological standing. “Iran’s mighty nuclear independence [will] intermingle with economic growth, expansion of technology and political power in the international arena,” Soltani suggested.
In the shadow of the nuclear conference in Washington, Iran expressed doubts Tuesday that China would back the US push for new sanctions against Teheran over its controversial nuclear program.
The comments came a day after Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to work with the Americans on the issue during a meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington.
Chinese spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said China hopes all parties will step up diplomatic efforts and seek ways to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations. “China and the United States share the same overall goal on the Iranian nuclear issue,” the Chinese statement said.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that did not mean Beijing was ready to support sanctions.
Teheran doesn’t “consider the statement as approval of the US stance and unfair actions,” he told reporters Tuesday. “Our interpretation is different,” Mehmanparast said, without elaborating.
Mehmanparast slammed the gathering as a “show,” saying a country that used nuclear weapons in the past “shouldn’t be hosting a summit that strives for nuclear disarmament.”
Iran has so far enriched uranium only to 3.5% and says it needs to enrich uranium to 20% to make fuel rods for a Teheran research reactor that produces medical isotopes. In February, Teheran said it would go ahead with the 20% enrichment and claimed it had already produced a small amount of such uranium.
A UN-backed plan last year offered Teheran the opportunity to get the fuel rods – which contain uranium that can no longer be used for weapons-grade material – in exchange for Iran’s stock of lower-level uranium.
Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday that Iran was ready to hand over one ton of Iran’s lower-level uranium to the UN nuclear watchdog in exchange for about 100 kilograms of 20% enriched uranium.
But, Salehi said, the exchange would only be made if the International Atomic Energy Agency guards the ton somewhere inside Iran until the international community hands over the higher-enriched batch – an offer the international community is unlikely to go along with.

‘Iran to go nuclear within month’

Press tv

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Russia against Iran energy sanctions

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has cautioned that imposing energy sanctions on Iran could lead to a "humanitarian catastrophe."

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:30:29 GMT

 

Mogadishu shelling kills 21 civilians

Heavy shelling between anti-government militants and Somali forces has killed at least 21 people, including children, in Mogadishu.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:03:36 GMT

 

Hezbollah MP warns about US meddling

Hezbollah lawmaker Nawaf Mousawi has warned the US about interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs ahead of the country’s municipal elections.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:34:17 GMT

 

Incentives may lure Bakiyev to resign

The head of Kyrgyzstan’s interim government has said ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev may be offered an incentive to leave the country.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:30:48 GMT

 

Cohen pleads guilty to child porn

A former US lawmaker from the state of New Jersey, who campaigned against child pornography, has now pleaded guilty to distribution of child porn.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:20:40 GMT

 

Vatican anti-pedophile stance praised

Vatican’s newspaper chief denies widespread accusations that Catholic Church has mishandled the child abuse cases, praising its "exemplary" stance.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:08:52 GMT

 

Jeweled mummy uncovered in Egypt

Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed 14 Greco-Roman tombs, including a jeweled mummy, in the Bahariya Oasis located southwest of the capital city of Cairo.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:04:29 GMT

 

Iran plans major rise in price of gas

Iranian Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi says the government plans to raise domestic gas prices by nearly tenfold in a bid to reduce consumption.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:00:47 GMT

 

‘NATO should stop backing Jundallah’

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to condemn NATO support for Jundallah ringleader Abdolmalek Rigi.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:39:52 GMT

 

Sudan extends elections by two days

Sudan’s National Election Commission has announced a two-day extension to the polling period amid glitches in the voting procedure due to delays and mistakes.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:37:16 GMT

 

Iran’s ‘Elly’ going to US filmfest

Award-winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi’s About Elly is slated to be screened at the 2010 edition of the Wisconsin Film Festival.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:22:34 GMT

 

US rockets claim lives in Pakistan

At least four people have been killed and several others wounded in the latest attack by US rockets in the northwestern tribal areas of Pakistan.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:17:03 GMT

 

Stolen docs expose Israel war crimes

Former Israeli soldier Anat Kam says she has taken secret military documents as evidence of war crimes committed by Tel Aviv in the occupied West Bank.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:05:58 GMT

 

One dead in Iran coal mine incident

A gas leak in a coal mine in the central Iranian province of Kerman has resulted in the death of one worker while another suffered gas poisoning.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:55:02 GMT

 

NBER: US recession far from over

The unprecedented recession in the US is expected to continue as the data suggesting recovery is premature and cannot be relied on, a report says.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:47:36 GMT

 

Florence to exhibit Jalali photos

The Villa Romana in Florence is scheduled to hold an exhibition of photos taken by late Iranian documentary photographer Bahman Jalali and his wife.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:41:20 GMT

 

Poland mends govt., plans funeral

Polish officials reportedly plan to hold a state funeral for the late President Lech Kaczynski on Saturday, a week after he was killed in a deadly plane crash.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:39:39 GMT

 

Clashes force 200,000 Pakistanis to flee

Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis have fled a recent army offensive against militants in the northwest, shortly after fresh clashes killed 43 people.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:55:21 GMT

 

Al-Quds settlement work partially halted

Israel has reportedly put on hold the construction settlements that require approvals from district planning committee in al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:37:14 GMT

 

‘Press TV popular in Afghanistan’

Press TV is becoming increasingly popular among the Afghan people, who believe the channel provides them with unbiased and comprehensive news coverage.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:12:53 GMT

 

Medvedev warns US, praises Obama

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says his country remains wary of the United States’ moves regarding its revised missile system plans.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:02:13 GMT

 

Russia against ‘nuclear’ war on Iran

Amid the intensified war rhetoric against Tehran, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns that an attack on Iran could lead to nuclear war.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:56:49 GMT

 

US violates UN law by threatening Iran

Iran’s envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog says the US nuclear policy which allows the use of nuclear arms against Tehran is a clear violation of the UN Charter.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:51:51 GMT

 

‘UK has underground airport in Helmand’

British forces have constructed underground airports, concrete wells and warehouses in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, an informed source says.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:41:33 GMT

 

Kam gives up journalistic immunity

Anat Kam has relinquished her journalistic immunity as the source of Ha’aretz reporter Uri Blau, calling on him to return all the documents she allegedly leaked to him.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:57:07 GMT

 

Thai poll body finds ruling party guilty

Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) has called for dissolution of the ruling party, two days after clashes between security forces and protesters left 21 people killed.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:52:20 GMT

 

Iran to unveil new military equipment

A senior commander says Iran will soon unveil a series of advanced home-built equipment; including drones, radar defense systems and light weaponry.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:21:34 GMT

 

Zurich to display Iranian paintings

The Swiss Ambassador to Tehran says her country’s Rietberg Museum is interested in showcasing the collection of paintings housed in Iran’s Golestan Palace museum.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:17:48 GMT

 

CT Church opposes child abuse bill

The US state of Connecticut has introduced a bill to halt the statue of limitations on child sexual abuse cases, which have engulfed the Catholic Church.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:15:15 GMT

 

Sudan vote slow but smooth on 2nd day

Plagued by delays, errors, and fraud allegations, Sudan’s historic elections have entered their second day amid calls for an extension to the three-day vote.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:55:31 GMT

 

‘Israel may drag US into new war’

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has expressed fears that Israel may attempt to involve the US in a new aggression against Lebanon or the Gaza Strip.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:40:01 GMT

 

‘Iran sanctions counterproductive’

As the US seeks to forge an international consensus at the UN Security Council on new punitive sanctions against Iran, India expresses opposition to the move.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:13:58 GMT

 

Iran warns UK against meddling

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki criticizes the UK for its meddlesome policies on Iran and highlights the importance of standing up to London’s inhumane and unfair stances.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:48:34 GMT

 

Bomb blast kills three in Iraq

Three brothers from a Sahwa tribal group have been killed and another has been injured in a powerful roadside bomb blast in Iraq’s northern Diyala Province.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:43:00 GMT

 

Iran questions IAEA independence

Iran’s envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog questions the independence of the 35-member body as world powers push for a new set of sanctions against the country.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:29:46 GMT

 

Afghans protest killing of civilians

Hundreds of Afghan people have rallied in the southern city of Kandahar to condemn the killing of civilians by US-led troops, according to authorities.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:04:37 GMT

 

Blasts, gunfire rock S Afghanistan

A strong explosion rocked Afghanistan’s southern city of Kandahar as the country’s security forces foil a terror attack on local intelligence service offices.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:37:56 GMT

 

Iran to complete peace pipeline

Tehran is to start in early May the design and construction of the remaining part of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline on Iranian soil, a gas official says.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:57:13 GMT

 

Train derailment kills 7 in Italy

A train has derailed in northern Italy, killing at least seven people and wounding 25 others, according to a report.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:53:16 GMT

 

Clashes kill 3 soldiers in Dagestan

Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan has been plunged into violence once again, as clashes between rebels and federal forces left three soldiers dead.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:51:19 GMT

 

Iran to replace Persian Gulf radar

Iranian scientists are planning to develop domestic radars to replace a series of aging Russian-made systems currently deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:27:40 GMT

 

Bakiyev warns against his arrest

Ousted Kyrgyzstan’s President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has threatened the interim government with bloodshed, should opponents try to arrest or kill him.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:14:26 GMT

 

Golden day for Iran’s Taekwondo

Iranian taekwondo squad Qavamin has won three gold and four bronze medals to take outright first place in the international taekwondo competitions held in Brussels.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:55:10 GMT

 

Iran boxers bag 3 medals in Turkey

Iranian boxing squad has earned one silver and two bronze medals at the Turkish Prime Ministry Tournament which was held in Ankara.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:54:40 GMT

 

US-led troops kill 4 Afghan civilians

At least four Afghan civilians have been killed and 23 others wounded in Afghanistan after US-led troops opened fire on a bus.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:29:50 GMT

 

10 hurt in Chinatown’s 7-alarm blaze

At least 10 people have been injured in a large fire in a six-storey apartment building in Chinatown located in New York City’s Manhattan area.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:21:24 GMT

 

Saudis killed in Kirkuk police raid

Two Saudi militants have been killed by Iraqi security forces and US troops during a raid on their hideout southwest of Kirkuk.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:09:57 GMT

 

Drug violence kills 9 in Honduras

Nine Hondurans have been killed in an overnight shooting in the capital city of Tegucigalpa with the finger of blame falling on Mexican drug gangs.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:01:29 GMT

 

China hopes to ease tensions with US

The Chinese deputy foreign minister has expressed hope that President Hu Jintao’s visit to Washington will ease recent tensions between the two countries.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:50:45 GMT

 

Israel must denuclearize, Erdogan says

The Turkish premier says the international community should take action to disarm Israel as part of the efforts to make the Middle East a nuclear weapons-free zone.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:42:32 GMT

 

Kazakhstan allows US overflights

Kazakhstan’s president has agreed to allow overflights by US planes carrying troops and equipment to the war-ravaged country of Afghanistan.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:35:37 GMT

 

Sarkozy approval hits record low

In another major blow to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a new poll suggests that his popularity has reached a record low.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:22:47 GMT

 

6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Spain

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has struck the southern ancient city of Granada in Spain, the US Geological Survey says.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:56:01 GMT

 

Palestinians face more ethnic cleansing

The Israeli military has issued a new ruling that would allow the mass deportation of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:27:19 GMT

 

Ousted Kyrgyz leader seeks UN action

The deposed Kyrgyz president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, has called on the United Nations to dispatch peacekeepers to the Central Asian republic.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:20:30 GMT

 

Hungary’s center-right wins first round

Hungary’s center-right opposition party Fidesz has garnered 52.8% of the vote in the first round of the country’s parliamentary elections.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:12:07 GMT

 

Iran offers condolences to Poles

Iran’s president has conveyed his condolences to the Polish people over the death of their president and 96 other people in a plane crash.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:02:53 GMT

 

BAE now world’s biggest arms group

A British company has topped an international ranking of the world’s biggest arms groups, becoming the first non-US company to hold the spot, a think tank said.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:53:39 GMT

 

Bomb explodes near MI5 HQ in Belfast

A car bomb has exploded near Britain’s MI5 domestic security service headquarters in Northern Ireland, just minutes after a historic transfer of policing power.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:01:46 GMT

 

Video shows Thai protesters being shot

New footage appears to show Thai government troops shooting ‘Red Shirt’ protesters in the capital.

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:40:32 GMT

 

Greece gets 30bn euro safety net

Eurozone nations have unveiled a 30-billion-euro aid package for heavily indebted Greece to restore confidence in the single currency.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:41:07 GMT

 

‘Saudis support unity govt. in Iraq’

The Iraqi president says Saudi Arabia supports a unity government in Baghdad and the Kingdom does not interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:11:06 GMT

 

US says Iran is not ‘nuclear capable’

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has accused Iran of moving toward the production of nuclear weapons but said that Iran is not “nuclear capable” yet.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:19:09 GMT

 

Iran to attend NPT conference in NY

Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency says the Islamic Republic will participate in a conference to review the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:27:19 GMT

 

Clinton backs tougher UN Iran sanctions

As the US seeks to rally international support for swift UN sanctions against Iran, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Washington’s "patience" had helped achieve the goal.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:19:38 GMT

 

UN official: Chance of climate deal slim

Head of the United Nation’s climate secretariat Yvo de Boer says a perfect climate change agreement by the end of the year is far-reaching.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:06:19 GMT

 

Pakistani army kills 13 militants in NW

Pakistani troops backed by helicopter gunships have bombed militant positions in the restive northwest tribal belt, killing 13 and injuring several others.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:02:54 GMT

 

Quake fears prompt Tehran evacuation

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his government plans to relocate millions of Tehran citizens as the capital is threatened by earthquakes.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:55:20 GMT

 

In Germany, 56% lose trust in Church

In the Pope’s homeland, Germany, revelations of sex abuse by Catholic clergy have triggered an unprecedented lack of trust in the Church.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:48:33 GMT

 

Mutation ups opposite breast cancer

Younger breast cancer victims with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are four times more likely to develop a tumor in their contralateral breast.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:26:25 GMT

 

Iran to hold PG filmfest on Kish

Iran’s Experimental and Documentary Film Center (EDFC) is planning to hold the Persian Gulf film festival on the country’s southern Kish Island.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:22:05 GMT

 

Iran builds one-megawatt generator

Iranian experts have succeeded in developing the capacity to produce one-megawatt generators, the head of an Iranian industrial company says.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:02:48 GMT

 

Japan economy at risk of ‘bankruptcy’

Analysts have warned that Japan may go bankrupt next year with a public debt figure larger than that of any other industrialized nation.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:59:01 GMT

 

US 30-year home loans surge

US interest rates for 30-year home loans climb to the highest level in eight months signaling a government effort to keep rates low.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:58:49 GMT

 

Iran closer to end row on subsidy bill

A working group, comprised of Iranian lawmakers and government delegates, has resolved a number of issues over the implementation of the subsidy reform law.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:58:30 GMT

 

Maliki coalition files fraud complaint

The Iraqi premier’s Rule of Law alliance has filed an official complaint over what it calls massive vote rigging in the March general elections.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:35:03 GMT

 

Incontinence continues after labor

Women suffering from incontinence during pregnancy are at a greater risk of experiencing the problem even after giving birth, a new study finds.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:14:38 GMT

 

US ‘aware’ of Iran nuclear scientist fate

Iran’s foreign minister says the United States is aware of the whereabouts of the missing nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri who went missing in Saudi Arabia.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:49:38 GMT

 

United gains point against Rovers

Premier League champion Manchester United is held to a goalless draw against Blackburn in what could be viewed as a major blow to the Reds’ title hopes.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:44:11 GMT

 

Iran urges national unity in Kyrgyzstan

Following a week of violence that gripped Bishkek, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki urges the establishment of national unity in Kyrgyzstan.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:27:11 GMT

 

Pirates seize cargo ship off Seychelles

The European Union anti-piracy naval force says Somali pirates have successfully boarded another cargo ship in the Indian Ocean near the Seychelles.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:12:02 GMT

 

Mehabadi to accompany Cologne orch.

Iranian musician and founder of the Sol Music Center Bahman Mehabadi will perform a violin solo in a concert with the Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:51:48 GMT

 

Delays blot Sudan election pace

As people go to polling stations to cast their ballots in Sudan’s landmark three-day elections, the electoral process has suffered delays due logistical problems.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:41:49 GMT

 

Former Kyrgyz pres. may face arrest

Kyrgyzstan’s interim government says it is considering arresting ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and putting him on trial.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:37:42 GMT

 

Iran to mass-produce faster centrifuges

Iran’s nuclear chief says second generation centrifuges will soon be mass-produced, stating that the country is moving toward nuclear self-sufficiency.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:29:32 GMT

 

RNC chairman: I’ve made mistakes

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele, who is criticized for his questionable spending, has acknowledged his "mistakes" and has vowed to learn from them.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:20:27 GMT

 

Exercise negates gene-related obesity

Being involved in regular exercise can tackle an individual’s genetic vulnerability to becoming obese in the long run, a new study has suggested.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:09:06 GMT

 

London police deem shoe-hurling ‘ritual’

London’s Metropolitan (Met) police have permitted shoe-throwing in symbolic protests, aimed at renouncing the Israeli aggression against Palestinian.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:07:09 GMT

 

Kamkars to perform in Europe, Iraq

The world-renowned Iranian ‘Kamkars’ music ensemble is preparing to perform traditional Persian music concerts in Europe and the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:40:07 GMT

 

In Iran, Leader slams US nuke threats

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has censured US President Barack Obama for implicitly threatening Iran with a "nuclear attack."

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:37:32 GMT

 

Iran to hold intl. poetry confab

Iran is planning to hold its 1st Conference on Iranian and International Poets in the capital city of Tehran and the cultural cities of Shiraz and Isfahan.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:35:42 GMT

 

‘US nuclear summit bound to fail’

Nobel laureate Jody Williams has cast doubt on the fruitfulness of an upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Washington given the US double standard in its nuclear policies.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:28:54 GMT

 

Iran to complain to UN over US threat

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says Tehran will lodge a formal complaint with the United Nations against US President Barack Obama for threatening the country with a nuclear strike.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:02:53 GMT

 

Thailand: No live round fired at protesters

The government In Thailand says its security forces have not fired live rounds at protesters in the bloody clashes that took place on Saturday.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:47:34 GMT

 

Israel charges Kam with espionage

Defense attorneys seek to plead down charges against Israeli journalist Anat Kam after the regime decided to prosecute her for espionage.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:37:03 GMT

 

Acne drug linked to bowel disease

Individuals receiving the acne drug isotretinoin are four times more likely to develop a bowel disease known as ulcerative colitis within a year of consumption.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:23:10 GMT

 

US-led soldier killed in Afghanistan

A NATO soldier has been killed in a roadside bomb explosion in the troubled southern Afghanistan amid climbing casualties among the foreign forces there.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:15:34 GMT

 

OSA increases risk of stroke: Study

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) more than doubles the risk of stroke in men, placing women at an increased risk of the condition, a new study finds.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:13:43 GMT

 

UK probes organ donor blunder

A data handling error by the British National Health Service may have allowed the removal of organs from thousands of dead bodies without consent.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 10:12:28 GMT

 

Bayern held 1-1 against Leverkusen

Bayern Munich has managed to stretch its Bundesliga lead to two points despite a 1-1 away draw against third-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 10:01:41 GMT

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http://www.presstv.ir/default.aspx

Iran’s Nuclear Program: Tehran’s Reply to the IAEA on the "Implementation of Safeguards in Iran"

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

by Permanent Mission of Iran to the IAEA

image

Global Research, March 6, 2010

IAEA – 2010-03-02

IAEA Information Circular
INFCIRC/786
Date: 2 March 2010

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT (PDF)
in response to Report of the Director General on implementation of Safeguards in Iran (GOV/2010/10)
image
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano delivering his opening statement to the Board of Governors. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)
Communication dated 1 March 2010 received from the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Agency regarding the implementation of safeguards in Iran

Explanatory note

by the

Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the IAEA

on the

Report of the Director General on implementation of Safeguards in Iran

(GOV/2010/10)

1- The report (GOV/2010/10) is not balanced and factual since it has not duly reflected the cooperation, letters and explanations of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the questions of or communication made with the Agency.

2- The report, in contradiction to the Agency’s statutory mandate, contained tremendous confidential technical details which create a lot of confusions for various groups of readers, diplomats, experts and the public at large.

3- The only new development since the last report by the former Director General is the successful enrichment activity up to 20% in order to produce the required fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor after Iran was disappointed due to lack of a responsible response to its legitimate request. But the lengthy text of the historical background and repeating obsolete issues such as alleged studies, so called American laptop, with details has created confusion for the public. The alleged studies, including baseless allegation on Green Salt Project, high explosive testing and missile re-entry vehicle, had been raised over 4 years ago, thus is not a new issue. The Safeguards Department has claimed that the intention of this report is to refresh the memories of the members of the Board of Governors at the cost of public confusion and damaging the Agency’s credibility. Despite there has been no any other new development, this DG report (GOV/2010/10) complies with parts of the past DG’s reports
which have been chosen selectively and incompletely, specifically focused on unproved and baseless allegations, so called alleged studies, and possible military dimension.

4- Pursuant to the official communication by Iran dated 7th February 2010 in which it officially notified the Agency about its decision to start enrichment activities up to 20%, Iran did not start the activity until the Agency officially had acknowledged the receipt of its notification and informed Iran on the same day that the inspectors have already been instructed to be present at FEP in Natanz on 9th February 2010. [Quote from the letter of the Agency by the Director of the Division of Operations B, Department of Safeguards, dated 8 February 2010: “I refer to your letter dated 8 February 2010 (Ref.M/137/315/5009) and I would like to inform you that our inspectors have been instructed to be at FEP on the 9th February 2010 to detach seal at the 30B cylinder containing LEU, maintain continuity of knowledge during re-batching to a 5B cylinder and seal both the 30B and 5B cylinder after the verification”]

The centrifuges used for this purpose were already under full scope safeguards including 24 hours surveillance of the Agency’s camera and the routine inspections. Iran however decided to inform the Agency before taking any action and also to invite the inspectors to be present at the time of commencement of the 20% activity. Therefore, the text of paragraph 11 of the report is in contrary to the factual arrangement and is misleading.

5- The fact that all declared nuclear materials is accounted for and is remained peaceful and under the Agency full scope surveillance is not reflected and is a missed essential element of this report.

6- Mixing the notions of “all nuclear material”, “declared nuclear material” and the issue of “assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material” in the context of Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) and Additional Protocol, respectively, in a non-professional manner, has undermined the full cooperation of Iran in accordance with its CSA obligation and has misled the public.

7- The facts that the material of the alleged studies has lack of authenticity, that no nuclear material was used and no components were made as declared by the former Director General in respect of baseless alleged studies, are missing parts in this report.

8- The report lacks any reference to the fact that the United States did not permit the Agency to deliver to Iran the material related to the alleged studies, associated to the so called American laptop, thus the Agency’s verification activities were jeopardized and its credibility damaged, since the Agency was obliged to deliver the material to Iran in accordance with the Work Plan (INFCIRC/711) agreed upon by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Agency. One could easily notice the criticism of the former Director General in this respect. 

9- It should be recalled that there were only six past outstanding issues which had been included in the agreed Work Plan (INFCIRC/711) and that all of them have been resolved. Also the part IV. 1 of the Work Plan
reads as follows: “These modalities cover all remaining issues and the Agency confirmed that there are no other remaining issues and ambiguities regarding Iran’s past nuclear program and activities.” Therefore, no new issues should be raised such as “possible military dimension”.

10- According to the Work Plan agreed upon by Iran and the Agency on 21 August 2007 (INFCIRC/711), the Alleged Studies have been fully dealt with by Iran and the item in the Work Plan is concluded. Any
expectation of another round of substantive discussion or the Agency’s request for providing information and access is absolutely in contravention with the spirit and the letter of such an agreement which both parties have been committed to. It should be recalled that the agreed Work Plan is the outcome of fruitful and intensive negotiations by three top officials in charge of Safeguards, Legal and Policy Making Organs of the Agency with Iran and eventually acknowledged by the Board of Governors. Therefore, it is highly expected that the Agency respects its agreement with Member States, otherwise the mutual trust and confidence which is essential for the sustainable cooperation shall be put in jeopardy.

II- SPECIFIC REMARKS

1- Comments on paragraphs 8 to 13 of the report on starting enrichment up to 20%:

All 20% enrichment activities have been declared to the Agency before taking any action. After official communications and in the presence of the Agency inspectors and under continuous surveillance of the Agency,
the activities to produce up to 20% enrichment uranium in order to provide required material for the Tehran Research Reactor fuel were started. In this respect, immediately pursuant to the instruction for launching fuel
production for the Tehran Research Reactor, the DIQ of PFEP facility was updated on 7 February 2010 and submitted to the IAEA before taking any action. Iran notified the IAEA through a letter that was responded and
confirmed by the Agency on the same day (8 February 2010), that a small cylinder containing LEU was introduced to PFEP and connected to its feeding line in the presence of the Agency inspectors on 9th February
2010 and remained under the Agency’s seal and surveillance. Moreover, the IAEA monitoring system, including cameras and seals are in place since 2003 and, therefore, the connection of the LEU cylinder to the system, besides the presence of the Agency inspectors, is also covered by continuous monitoring of the Agency’s cameras as well as Agency seals. As a matter of fact, all the safeguards measures have been completely met for 20% enrichment process.

A draft safeguards approach for PFEP was presented in 2003. This draft was discussed through subsequent meetings and has not yet been finalized besides there was no need to stop the enrichment activities. Nevertheless,
basically the foreseen measures are implemented and the Agency was informed of the 20% enrichment activities in advance and therefore there was no need to stop the work of this activity before finalizing the safeguards approach agreement while safeguards measures are in place.

As explained above, this facility is running as before under the Agency surveillance, Agency inspectors access, performing Agency’s inspections, visual inspectors’ observations, Agency’s cameras and seals application while the safeguards approach review and its facility attachment is under discussion.

2- Comments on paragraphs 19-24 of the report regarding Heavy Water Related Projects:

1- UNSC resolutions against Islamic Republic of Iran had been issued illegally and have no legal basis; therefore they are not obligatory to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

2- The Agency’s requests are even beyond the illegal UNSC resolutions since it just requesting to suspend the heavy water-related projects and the suspension be verified by the Agency. The resolutions have not requested the collection of information such as origin of the drums and production, taking DA samples, weight and amount of heavy water, etc. These are beyond the illegal UNSC resolutions and create ambiguities that whether the Agency’s intention is gathering information for other purposes.

3- The Islamic Republic of Iran has officially announced on several occasions that no suspension including heavy water production is accepted. It has announced that the Agency be sure that the activities are continuing. Therefore, verification of suspension is not required. And it is not clear that why the Agency keeps intending to collect detailed information by requesting to have access to facilities and non nuclear materials.

4- Having considered that the Safeguards Agreement between the Agency and the Islamic Republic of Iran (INFCIRC/214) is governing the relation between the Agency and Iran it constitutes the legal basis for
cooperation and the Agency’s requests should be based on that Agreement. Thus, it is not clear why the Agency’s requests goes beyond the Safeguards Agreement and even beyond the Additional Protocol, although the latter is not being implemented by Iran.

5- Accordingly, the Agency’s request to take DA samples from the Heavy Water stored at UCF has no justification referred to Iran’s Safeguards Agreement (INFCIRC/214). However, the Agency inspectors
were allowed to perform their attribute test in order to confirm that they are not nuclear materials.

3- Comments on paragraph 28-35 of the report regarding design information (code 3.1)

1- Modified code 3.1 of Subsidiary Arrangement: Iran was implementing voluntarily the modified code 3.1 since 2003, but because of the illegal UNSC resolutions against Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities, the implementation of modified code 3.1 was suspended. However, Iran currently is implementing code 3.1 of Subsidiary Arrangement.

2- In respect of FFEP DIQ (Fordow Site), Iran is committed to declare a facility to the Agency 180 days prior to introducing nuclear materials to it. However, Iran has voluntarily informed 18 months prior to introduction
of materials to the site. Iran, in addition, provided its DIQ, granted unlimited access to the facility, held meetings and provided detailed information, permitted taking swipe samples and reference photos which under the provision of code 3.1 of 1976, Iran is not obliged to do so.

3- In respect of providing information on other new facilities, Iran will inform the Agency in accordance with the code 3.1 of 1976 and will provide the Agency with the required design information in its due time.

4- Any request of Design Information on Darkhovain NPP, Arak IR40, new enrichment facilities, etc, by the Agency should be in accordance with the code 3.1 of 1976.

4- Comments on paragraphs 37 of the report about Pyroprocessing R&D activities and Agency’s request for providing information in this respect:

In fact there is not pyroprocessing R&D activity and the question raised has been a misinterpretation by the Agency inspectors on the scope of a research on studying electrochemical behaviour of uranyl nitrate in ionic liquid media. Therefore, requesting information on non-existed activity is meaningless.

5- Comments on paragraph 39 of the report about requesting access to additional locations (Additional Protocol):

The Additional Protocol is not a legally binding instrument and is voluntary in nature. Hence, many Member States including Iran are not implementing this voluntary protocol. Requesting Iran to ratify or implement the Additional Protocol, being a non-legally binding instrument, is in contravention with international law and the sovereign decision of any Member State. Therefore, suspension of implementation of the Additional Protocol does not constitute violation of its NPT Safeguards Agreement (INFCIRC/214) and any request by the Agency in
the framework of the Additional Protocol is not legally justified.

Although the Islamic Republic of Iran voluntarily implemented the Additional Protocol for more than two and a half years, a few western countries in an opposite direction to this and other voluntary measures carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran, illegally conveyed Iran’s nuclear issue to the United Nations Security Council. Afterwards, Iran’s voluntary measures were suspended based on the law adopted by the Iranian Parliament. Therefore, Iran should not be blamed for, but those countries which conveyed the issue to the UN Security Council instead.

6- Comments on paragraph 40-45 of the report on Possible Military Dimension:

1- Referring to the para 54 of the former DG report GOV/2008/4 that reads “However, it should be noted that the Agency has not detected the use of nuclear material in connection with the alleged studies, nor does it
have credible information in this regard” that clearly rejected use of nuclear material and credible information in alleged studies. Therefore, the first sentence of para 40 of GOV/2010/10 is obviously contradicting the above assessment of the Agency. And also creating any linkage between the peaceful nuclear materials in Iran with absence of possible military dimension is absolutely wrong.

2- In section E of GOV/2010/10, there are claims based on baseless allegations. The Agency should not judge without investigation of all aspects of the allegations but, regrettably, it has done so. It has also to be recalled that the para 24 of the former DG report GOV/2008/15 says “It should be noted that the Agency currently has no information – apart from the uranium metal document – on the actual design or manufacture by Iran of nuclear material components of a nuclear weapon or of certain other key components, such as initiators, or on related nuclear physics studies” which is missing in this report and even in fact in contradiction with the judgment in this report.

3- It has to be recalled that pursuant to the negotiations between the former Director General and the then Secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran in 2007, the Islamic Republic of Iran took an
important initiative in July 2007 to resolve all outstanding issues and remove any ambiguity concerning the nature of its peaceful nuclear activities in the past and present. It should be emphasized that the main objective of the subsequent Work Plan that was agreed between Iran and the Agency on 21 August 2007 (INFCIRC/711), was to resolve, in a step by step manner, all outstanding issues once and for all and to prevent the endless process from being dragged any further.

4- On the basis of the Work Plan, the Agency provided the Islamic Republic of Iran with a list of six outstanding issues as reflected in part II of INFCIRC/711. The six outstanding issues were: 1) Plutonium Experiments, 2) P1-P2 Centrifuges, 3) Source of Contamination in an equipment of a technical university, 4) Uranium Metal Document, 5) Polonium 210 and 6) Gachine Mine.

5- It was never the understanding of Iran and IAEA to categorize the so-called “Alleged Studies” summarily referred to in part III of INFCIRC/711 as an outstanding issue, otherwise the parties should have addressed it in part II of INFCIRC/711. One has to bear in mind the fact that the issues such high explosives and re-entry missile are outside the domain of the IAEA statutory mandate.

6- Moreover, if the so-called Alleged Studies were an outstanding issue, Iran and IAEA should have developed and agreed on a detailed modality for dealing with it as they did with respect to the six outstanding issues addressed in part II of INFCIRC/711. As a result, Iran and IAEA decided to make a short reference to the Alleged Studies in part III of INFCIRC/711 and to agree on a different approach for addressing it as follows:

“Iran reiterated that it considers the following Alleged Studies as politically motivated and baseless allegations. The Agency will however provide Iran with access to the documentation it has in it possession … As a sign of good will and cooperation with the Agency, upon receiving all related documents, Iran will review and inform the Agency of its assessment.” (Emphasis supplied).

7- According to the above understanding, the Agency was required to submit all documentation to Iran and then Iran was only expected to “inform the Agency of its assessment”. No visit, meeting, personal interview, swipe sampling were foreseen for addressing this matter. Notwithstanding the above and based on good faith and in a spirit of cooperation, Iran went beyond the above understanding by agreeing to hold discussions with the IAEA, provide necessary supporting documents and inform the Agency of its assessment. Meanwhile, by refusing to
submit all documentation to Iran concerning the so-called Alleged Studies, IAEA did not fulfil its obligation under part III of INFCIRC/711.

8- In the former DG reports of November 2007 and February 2008, it has been stated that all six outstanding issues had been resolved and the Islamic Republic of Iran had responded to all questions about the outstanding issues in accordance with the Work Plan. Following the successful implementation of the Work Plan which led to the resolution of all six outstanding issues, the Government of the United States being dissatisfied about the results, began a political campaign on a part of the Work Plan entitled the Alleged Studies. Therefore, by interfering in the work of the IAEA and exerting various political pressures the Government of the United States attempted to spoil the cooperative spirit between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the IAEA.

9- In spite of the fact that the so called Alleged Studies documents had not been delivered to Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran carefully examined all the materials which have been prepared by US Government for power point presentations by the Agency, and informed the Agency of its assessment. In this context I recall the following important points:

i. The Agency has not delivered to Iran any official and authenticated document which contained documentary evidence related to Iran with regard to the Alleged Studies.

ii. The Government of the United States has not handed over original documents to the Agency since it does not in fact have any authenticated document and all it has are forged documents. The Agency didn’t deliver any original documents to Iran and none of the documents and materials that were shown to Iran have authenticity and all proved to be fabricated, baseless allegations and false attributions to Iran.

iii. How can one make allegations against a country without provision of original documents with authenticity and ask the country concerned to prove its innocence or ask it to provide substantial explanations?

iv. The Agency has explicitly expressed in a written document dated 13 May 2008 that: “… no document establishing the administrative interconnections between “Green Salt” and the other remaining subjects on Alleged Studies, namely “Highly Explosive Testing” and “Re-entry Vehicle”, have been delivered or presented to Iran by the Agency”. This written document proves that in fact the documents related to the Alleged Studies lack any internal consistency and coherence in this regard. It is regrettable that this explicit fact expressed by the Agency has never been reflected in the DG reports.

10- Taking into account the above-mentioned facts, and that no original document exists on the Alleged Studies, and there is no valid and documentary evidence purporting to show any linkage between such fabricated allegations and Iran, and no use of any nuclear material in connection to the Alleged Studies (because they do not exist in reality), also bearing in mind the fact that Iran has fulfilled its obligation to provide information to the Agency, and its assessment, and the fact that former DG already indicated in his reports in June, September and
November 2008 that the Agency has no information on the actual design or manufacture by Iran of nuclear material components of a nuclear weapon or of certain other key components, such as initiators, or on related nuclear physics studies, therefore this subject must be closed.

11- If it was intended to raise other issues in addition to the Alleged Studies (Green Salt, Re-entry Missile, High Explosive Test) such as possible military dimension, since all outstanding issues have been incorporated in the exhausted list prepared by the IAEA during the negotiations, then it should have been raised by the Agency in the course of the negotiations on the Work Plan. One can clearly notice that no issue and item entitled “possible military dimension” exists in the modalities.

12- According to the former DG report of GOV/2009/55, the Agency expressed that the authenticity of the documentation that forms the basis of the Alleged Studies cannot be confirmed. This proved the assessment
of the Islamic Republic of Iran that the Alleged Studies are politically motivated and baseless allegations.

13- In accordance to the first paragraph of chapter IV of the Work Plan which reads that “These modalities cover all remaining issues and the Agency confirmed that there are no other remaining issues and ambiguities regarding Iran’s past nuclear program and activities”, introducing a new issue under the title of “possible military dimension” is contrary to the Work Plan.

14- Paragraph 5 of Chapter IV of the Work Plan reads: “The Agency and Iran agreed that after the implementation of the above Work Plan and the agreed modalities for resolving the outstanding issues, the implementation of safeguards in Iran will be conducted in a routine manner.”

15- In Paragraph 3, chapter IV of the Work Plan, the Agency has acknowledged that “the Agency’s delegation is of the view that the agreement on the above issues shall further promote the efficiency of the implementation of safeguards in Iran and its ability to conclude the exclusive peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities”. On this basis, while the Work Plan has been implemented, the Agency is obliged to confirm the exclusive peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities.

16- The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Agency have fully implemented the tasks agreed upon in the Work Plan; in doing so, Iran has taken voluntary steps beyond its legal obligation under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

17- The report GOV/2009/55 confirmed that Iran has completed its obligation on the Alleged Studies by informing the Agency its assessment, the Agency is hereby highly expected to announce that the safeguards implementation in Iran shall be conducted in a routine manner in accordance with the last paragraph of the work Plan (INFCIRC/711).

7- Comments on paragraph 48-49 of the report about suspension:

Uranium enrichment and heavy water research reactor are not suspended, since there is no logical and legal justification to suspend such peaceful activities which are in the framework of the IAEA’s Statute and the NPT and under surveillance of the Agency. It should be reminded that Iran implemented suspension for more than 2.5 years voluntarily, as a non-legally binding and confidence building measure.

III- Iran’s full cooperation with the Agency

The report prepared by the Safeguards department of the Agency for the new Director General on Implementation of the Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic

Republic of Iran, despite of deficiencies explained above, once again confirmed Iran’s cooperation with the Agency. The following are examples of Iran’s cooperation which are reflected in the report (GOV/2010/10):

A) Full-scope safeguards of the nuclear enrichment activities and materials in Natanz:

1. “The nuclear material at FEP (including the feed, product and tails), as well as all installed cascades and the feed and withdrawal stations, are subject to Agency containment and surveillance.” (para 5)

2. “The results of the environmental samples taken at FEP as of 21 November 2009 indicate that the maximum enrichment level as declared by Iran in the relevant Design Information Questionnaire (DIQ) (i.e. less than 5.0% U-235 enrichment) has not been exceeded at that plant.” (para 6)

3. “Since the last report, the Agency has successfully conducted 4 unannounced inspections at FEP, making a total of 35 such inspections since March 2007.” (para 6)

4. “Between 14 and 16 September 2009, the Agency conducted a PIV at the PFEP, the results of which confirmed the inventory as declared by Iran.” (para 7)

5. “On 14 February 2010, Iran, in the presence of Agency inspectors, moved approximately 1950 kg of low enriched UF6 from FEP to the PFEP feed station.” (para 12)

6. “The Agency inspectors sealed the cylinder containing the material to the feed station. Iran provided the Agency with mass spectrometry results.” (para 12)

B) Verification activities in Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP)

7. “The Agency met with Iran between 25 and 28 October 2009, at which time it carried out design information verification (DIV) at FFEP…” (para 14).

“Since 26 October 2009, the Agency has conducted five DIVs at FFEP.” (para 17)

8. “During three of these five DIVs, the Agency took environmental samples.” (para 17)

C) Reprocessing Activities

9. “The Agency has continued to monitor the use and construction of hot cells at the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) and the Molybdenum, Iodine and Xenon Radioisotope Production (MIX) Facility.” (para 18)

10. “The Agency carried out an inspection and a DIV at TRR on 11 November 2009, and on 23 January 2010 at the MIX facility. There were no indications of ongoing reprocessing related activities at those facilities.” (para 18)

D) Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP)

11. “On 13 January 2010, the Agency carried out a DIV at the Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP). It confirmed that no new process equipment had been installed at the facility and that no new assemblies, rods or pellets had been
produced since May 2009.” (para 22)

E) Other areas

12. “On 8 February 2010, the Agency carried out a DIV at the IR-40 reactor at Arak. The Agency verified that the construction of the facility was ongoing.” (para 23)

13. “Under cover of a letter dated 11 February 2010, Iran submitted an updated DIQ for UCF…” (para 25)

14. “Under cover of a letter dated 13 December 2009, Iran submitted an updated DIQ for UCF which included, inter alia, the layout of the laboratory.”(para 26)

15. “On 17 January 2010, the Agency carried out an inspection and a DIV at UCF.” (para 27)

16. “The total amount of uranium in the form of UF6 produced at UCF … remains subject to Agency containment and surveillance.” (para 27)

17. “On 9 January 2010, the Agency conducted a DIV at the Jaber Ibn Hayan Multipurpose Research Laboratory (JHL) in Tehran….” (para 37)

18. The continued cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Agency has resulted that “the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran…” (para 46)

Global Research Articles by Permanent Mission of Iran to the IAEA

US sponsors terrorism: Was Richard Holbrooke waiting to meet Jundullah terrorist at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan?

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

AhlulBayt News Agency
Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:55 EST

image

© Unknown
Obama’s "Special Representative" to Afghanistan and Pakistan

Tehran – Independent news sources reported on Saturday that Abdolmalek Rigi, the terrorist who has been arrested by Iranian security forces, had planned to meet with Richard Holbrooke in the Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan.
According to Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA), the captured ringleader of the Jundallah terrorist group, Abdolmalek Rigi, was scheduled to meet US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke at the Manas Air Base for talks on waging an insurgency against the Islamic Republic of Iran, a journalist says.
Rigi had planned to meet a high-profile US official at the Manas Air Base near Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek.
This senior US official must have been Holbrooke, who was in Kyrgyzstan to visit the only US air base in Central Asia, the IRNA news agency quoted journalist Wayne Madsen as saying on Saturday.
In a televised confession on Press TV on Thursday, Abdolmalek Rigi said that in a Dubai meeting with CIA agents, he was promised unlimited support that included a military base near the Iranian border equipped with weaponry and training facilities.
The Jundallah leader added that he was to meet a top US intelligence official at the US military base in Kyrgyzstan to work out the details of the support the US would provide for his group.
During their meetings with him, the US operatives insisted that Iran is their primary focus in the region, even more important than al-Qaeda and the Taliban, the terrorist leader stated.
Rigi added that the CIA agents also explained to him that since a US military attack on Iran would be very difficult, they planned to support all anti-Iran groups that have the capability of waging war inside Iran and destabilizing the country.

 

http://www.sott.net/articles/show/203962-US-sponsors-terrorism-Was-Richard-Holbrooke-waiting-to-meet-Jundullah-terrorist-at-Manas-Air-Base-in-Kyrgyzstan-

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