UNITED24 - Make a charitable donation in support of Ukraine!

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


January 2005 Iran Special Weapons News

  • Iranian satellite purpose to be purely civil - Russia official IRNA 31 Jan 2005 -- The purpose of the first satellite Zohre (Venus) will be purely civil, the head of Russia`s federal space agency Roskosmos said here on Monday.
  • Russia, Iran sign agreement on Zohre satellite IRNA 31 Jan 2005 -- Iran and Russia signed on Sunday an agreement on the designing and launch of the first Iranian communications satellite Zohre (Venus).
  • Iran, Russia sign `Zohreh` satellite deal IRNA 31 Jan 2005 -- Iran and Russia here Saturday signed an agreement on the design, consultations, testing and lift off of `Zohreh` satellite.
  • Zohre project opens new prospects for Russia-Iran ties - view IRNA 31 Jan 2005 -- The launch of the Iranian Zohre (Venus) will open new prospects for cooperation Russia and Iran, Iranian Minister of Communication and Information Technology Ahmad Motamedi said in Tehran on Monday.
  • Ambassador Sanders on Iran's Choice Regarding Nuclear Weapons Washington File 31 Jan 2005 -- The following article by Ambassador Jackie W. Sanders, President Bush's Special Envoy for Nuclear Nonproliferation and the U.S. Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, appeared in The Wall Street Journal on January 28. There are no republication restrictions.
  • PAKISTAN / IRAN NUKES VOA 31 Jan 2005 -- Pakistan is urging Iran, the United States and European nations to peacefully resolve differences over Tehran's nuclear program.
  • Iran Brushes Aside U.S. Threats RFE/RL 30 Jan 2005 -- Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday said Tehran is not frightened by what he called threats by the United States.
  • Parliament commission to review nuclear talks with Europeans IRNA 30 Jan 2005 -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi will attend parliament`s National Security Commission session Tuesday to review developments in Iran`s nuclear talks with the Europeans.
  • Halliburton To Halt Activities In Iran RFE/RL 30 Jan 2005 -- The U.S. oil-field services company Halliburton says it plans to end its activities in Iran after its current contracts in the country are fulfilled.
  • Supreme Leader calls for resistance against US threats, bullying IRNA 29 Jan 2005 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Saturday called for resistance against the US threats and bullying.
  • Erdogan says Iran`s nuclear programs for peaceful purposes IRNA 28 Jan 2005 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that his country never doubted the fact that Iran`s nuclear programs were for peaceful purposes.
  • German Chancellor Calls For Diplomacy On Iran RFE/RL 28 Jan 2005 -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said today that the problem of Iran's nuclear-development program should only be resolved using diplomacy, not force.
  • Deputy FM: US threat against Iran not worth commenting on IRNA 27 Jan 2005 -- The recent US threats against Iran are not worth commenting on, said Iran`s Deputy Foreign Minister Gholam Ali Khoshru in Malaysia on Thursday.
  • IAEA expects good results from Iran-EU talks IRNA 27 Jan 2005 -- A spokesman for the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA) expressed hope on Thursday that the watchdog will receive good news from the nuclear talks between Iran and the EU troika, Germany, France, Britain.
  • Iran-EU nuclear talks to resume soon IRNA 26 Jan 2005 -- The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union will begin within next weeks in a European country, probably in Switzerland, said an Iranian diplomat here on Wednesday.
  • Afghanistan/Iran: Relations Between Tehran, Kabul Growing Stronger RFE/RL 26 Jan 2005 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Iran today for a two-day visit during which he will officially inaugurate a road linking the Doqarun border region in northeastern Iran with the western Afghan city of Herat. Karzai's Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Khatami, will also participate in the ceremony. Iran recently completed work on the 122-kilometer road, which both sides hope will be a further boost to bilateral trade. Iran is already one of Afghanistan's main trade partners.
  • ISRAEL / IRAN / SYRIA VOA 26 Jan 2005 -- Israel is warning of attempts by Syria and Iran to develop nuclear capability along with upgraded missile systems. Although Iran and Syria have rejected the allegations, Israel says the international community must deal with what could turn into a regional and global threat.
  • IRAN: 'THE U.S. IS GETTING READY FOR WAR' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 25 Jan 2005
  • Pak military denies anti-Iran joint wargames on its soil IRNA 25 Jan 2005 -- Pakistan on Tuesday denied in categorical terms that joint US and British commando wargames were held in the southern port city of Karachi.
  • Schroeder reaffirms `no` to US military intervention in Iran IRNA 25 Jan 2005 -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder reiterated his strong opposition to an American military intervention in Iran, calling once again for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, the media reported Tuesday.
  • Pakistan fully supports EU engagement with Iran IRNA 25 Jan 2005 -- Visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana met in Brussels Tuesday afternoon and discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues.
  • U.S.: British Foreign Secretary Says U.S. Committed To Diplomatic Approach Toward Iran RFE/RL 25 Jan 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice met last night in Washington with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. After the meeting, Straw said Washington supports the use of diplomacy over military action in dealings with Iran and its suspected nuclear-weapons program.
  • No cooperation with US against Iran: Pakistan IRNA 24 Jan 2005 -- Pakistan again categorically denied reports that it has cooperated with the United States against Iran`s nuclear program.
  • Iran Warns Against U.S. Attack RFE/RL 24 Jan 2005 -- Iranian officials have issued new warnings that any United States attack on the Islamic Republic would be a major strategic mistake.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 4 24 Jan 2005 -- SYNTHETIC DRUGS MORE PREVALENT IN IRAN / OPIUM CULTIVATION IN IRAN ON THE RISE / COUNTERNARCOTICS AGENCIES ENGAGED IN BUREAUCRATIC STRUGGLE / PROVINCIAL UNREST REVEALS GRIEVANCES, INFLUENCE OF FACTIONAL POLITICS / PRICE CONTROLS GET MIXED RECEPTION / COOKIE MAKERS PROTEST FOR BACK WAGES / EBADI CRITICIZES IRAN'S USE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT / ALLEGED EBADI SUMMONS A MISUNDERSTANDING / LEGISLATURE APPROVES BILL TO INVESTIGATE JUDICIARY / JUDICIARY DEVELOPING ANTICORRUPTION PLAN / JOURNALIST ARRESTED AFTER GIVING INTERVIEWS TO FOREIGN RADIOS / TEHRAN'S BRAVADO MASKS FEAR OF U.S. / AFGHANS UNWELCOME IN IRAN / IRAN AND IRAQ HOLD TRADE DISCUSSIONS / IRAQIS CONTRADICT EACH OTHER ON ALLEGED IRANIAN INTERFERENCE
  • US threats aim to influence Iran-EU nuclear talks: Younessi IRNA 23 Jan 2005 -- Information Minister Ali Younessi said here Sunday that recent threats of US officials were part of a psychological warfare waged on Iran.
  • Asefi says alleged infiltration of US commandos into Iran a mere rumor IRNA 23 Jan 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamidreza Asefi said here Sunday that talk of US commandos having infiltrated Iran to carry out intelligence missions was "quite baseless."
  • Blair denies any knowledge of claimed US reconnaissance in Iran IRNA 22 Jan 2005 -- Prime Minister Tony Blair has avoided directly answering whether he has any knowledge of claimed US military reconnaissance in Iran by repeating a previous denial that anyone was talking about an invasion.
  • Pursuing Iran VOA 21 Jan 2005 -- An article by a leading journalist in "The New Yorker" magazine claims U-S special forces have entered Iran in preparation for possible military action. President Bush says he cannot rule out such an encounter if Iran continues to pursue nuclear weapons. In turn, Iranian leaders say the article is a bluff and warn of retaliation if they are attacked.
  • EDITORIAL: IRAN AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS VOA 21 Jan 2005 -- The radical Islamic regime in Iran denies that it has a program to build nuclear weapons -- yet it continues to say it will restart its effort to enrich uranium, a key component in the production of nuclear weapons. Iran is also reportedly denying access to certain facilities by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. If true, that would be a troubling development strongly suggesting Iran is neither cooperating fully with the I-A-E-A nor providing full disclosure about its ongoing nuclear-related activities.
  • Cheney Says Iran Tops U.S. List Of Trouble Spots RFE/RL 20 Jan 2005 -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney says Iran is at the top of Washington's list of world trouble spots.
  • US / IRAN VOA 20 Jan 2005 -- The U.S. government has strongly denied a report by a prominent American journalist that it has sent small military teams into Iran to identify sites for possible future attacks. But the report and denials have generated a controversy about U.S. policy toward Iran, as President Bushs second term is beginning. On Thursday, just before the inauguration ceremony, Vice-president Dick Cheney told MSNBC television Iran is at the top of the list of world trouble spots, because of its nuclear program and because it is, in his words, a noted sponsor of terror. But he downplayed the possibility of U.S. military action against the country.
  • Younesi dismisses US journalist report as `ridiculous` IRNA 20 Jan 2005 -- Minister of Information Ali Younessi said on Thursday that the report on US commandos entry to Iran to identify targets for airstrikes was `ridiculous`
  • President: Iran will strongly stand up to any aggression IRNA 20 Jan 2005 -- Iran will strongly stand up to any aggression, President Mohammad Khatami said on Thursday asked by a reporter about the military threat the US posed to Iran.
  • US should learn from past mistake, says Iranian ambassador IRNA 20 Jan 2005 -- Iran`s Ambassador to Britain, Mohammad Hossein Adeli, warned Thursday that the US should learn that waging war and disrespecting allies only create tension and distrust with other countries.
  • Kharrazi: US threats only a psychological warfare IRNA 20 Jan 2005 -- Iran`s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi termed as mere psychological warfare some recent threats by American officials to attack Iran.
  • Iran Says U.S. Threats 'Psychological Warfare' RFE/RL 20 Jan 2005 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi today described recent U.S. statements about possible military action against Iran as "psychological warfare" intended to influence Iranian policy.
  • Fleming denies report on IAEA second visit to Iran`s Parchin site IRNA 19 Jan 2005 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) spokeswoman, Melissa Fleming, here Wednesday vehemently denied the report that the IAEA plans to go back to Parchin military site in Iran after a first inspection last Thursday.
  • US "wrong" about feasibility of EU deal with Iran, says Straw IRNA 19 Jan 2005 -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Wednesday dismissed reports that the US may be contemplating military action against Iran while saying that Washington was wrong to be skeptical about the EU being able to reach a deal on Iran`s nuclear program.
  • Britain Says No Alternative To Iran Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 19 Jan 2005 -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said there is no alternative to diplomacy to persuade Iran to give up technology that could be used to make nuclear weapons.
  • Rice-Iran-North Korea VOA 18 Jan 2005 -- Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice Tuesday urged international unity in insisting that Iran and North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. She said if the current European initiative with Iran falters, the matter should go to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.
  • Iran/U.S.: Bush Says All Options On The Table For Tehran 's Nuclear Program RFE/RL 18 Jan 2005 -- U.S. President George Bush has reiterated that all options are open regarding Iran's suspected nuclear program, but said the U.S. hopes to solve the issue diplomatically. Bush's comments come amid a growing controversy over a "New Yorker" magazine article. Award-winning reporter Seymour Hersh writes that Iran could be the next target in the war on terror and that U.S. Special Forces have been conducting secret reconnaissance missions inside Iran to help identify potential targets. The White House has criticized the report as being "riddled with inaccuracies."
  • US Sanctions Seven Chinese Companies for Helping Iran VOA News 18 Jan 2005 -- Seven Chinese companies have been penalized by the United States for selling ballistic missile technology to Iran.
  • Bush Won't Rule Out Military Action Against Iran RFE/RL 18 Jan 2005 -- U.S. President George W. Bush has said he would not rule out military action against Iran if that country is not more cooperative over its suspected nuclear weapons program.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 3 17 Jan 2005 -- SHIMON PERES ON IRAN AND TERRORISM / IRAN'S 'MINISTRY OF TERRORISM'? / IRAN REPORTEDLY TARGETS NEW PALESTINIAN LEADER / IRANIAN MILITARY OFFICIAL THREATENS UNITED STATES / IRAN HAS GOOD-NEIGHBOR POLICY / IRAN AND IRAQ TRADE ACCUSATIONS / IRAQI VOTERS IN IRAN COULD HAVE PROBLEMS / TEHRAN CRACKS DOWN ON BILLIARD PARLORS / HUNDREDS INJURED IN EARTHQUAKE / TEACHERS AND NURSES PROTEST IN TEHRAN / CONSERVATIVE COALITION NARROWS ITS FOCUS / NOBEL LAUREATE GETS COURT SUMMONS / 'CYBERDISSIDENTS AND WEBLOGGERS' MEET JUDICIARY CHIEF / HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CRITICIZES IRAN / LEGISLATURE REJECTS MINISTER-DESIGNATE / AFGHANS IN IRAN REPORTEDLY ARRESTED AND DEPORTED / IAEA NUCLEAR INSPECTORS ARRIVE IN IRAN / IRAN SIGNS GAS DEAL WITH HALLIBURTON SUBSIDIARY / TRADE AND COOPERATION TALKS WITH EU RESUME / KHATAMI SUBMITS DRAFT BUDGET
  • Pakistan denies collaboration with US against Iran`s peaceful N-program IRNA 17 Jan 2005 -- Pakistan on Monday categorically rejected a US media report that Islamabad has helped American commandos in their covert operation inside Iran against the country`s nuclear program.
  • Statement from Pentagon Spokesman Lawrence DiRita on Latest Seymour Hersh Article 17 Jan 2005 -- The Iranian regime's apparent nuclear ambitions and its demonstrated support for terrorist organizations is a global challenge that deserves much more serious treatment than Seymour Hersh provides in the New Yorker article titled "The Coming Wars."
  • U.S. Denies Report On Targeting Weapons In Iran RFE/RL 17 Jan 2005 -- A spokesman for U.S. President George Bush is denying a magazine report that the administration has selected suspected weapons sites in Iran for possible air strikes.
  • Iranian Official Rejects Charges Of Afghan Expulsions RFE/RL 17 Jan 2005 -- A senior Iranian official today rejected UN accusations that his country is expelling Afghan refugees and suggested that Teheran might rethink its cooperation with United Nations.
  • Analysis: A Look At Iran's Sponsorship Of Terror Groups RFE/RL 13 Jan 2005 -- The Iranian Constitution states that in order to attain its objectives the country's foreign policy must be based on "Islamic criteria, fraternal commitment to all Muslims, and unsparing support to the freedom fighters of the world" (Article 3). Furthermore, "[Iran] supports the rightful struggle of the oppressed people against their oppressors anywhere in the world" (Article 154). These requirements, as well as a desire to export the revolution, are a primary factor behind Iran's support for what the United States identifies as terrorist organizations. Iran's more recent reliance on asymmetric warfare in its military doctrine, furthermore, underscores that such support will continue.
  • NIGERIA / IRAN VOA 13 Jan 2005 -- Iran's President Mohammad Khatami has started a scheduled seven-nation African tour, with his delegation working on cooperation agreements in Nigeria.
  • Iran: Halliburton Involvement May Be Part Of Larger Diplomatic Effort RFE/RL 11 Jan 2005 -- The involvement of the U.S. company Halliburton in a project to develop oil fields in Iran could be part of the larger effort to convince Iran to abandon any nuclear-weapons program it might have. That's the opinion of analysts looking at a new and controversial deal involving Halliburton and Iranian companies. U.S. law generally prohibits U.S. companies from operating in Iran, but exceptions are written into the law to allow such deals if they serve greater diplomatic ends.
  • Velayati: Iran should keep its nuclear achievements at any price IRNA 11 Jan 2005 -- Presidential election hopeful Ali Akbar Velayati stressed here Tuesday that Iran should keep its nuclear achievements at any price.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 2 10 Jan 2005 -- GOODS SMUGGLING HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN IRAN / ABTAHI TO APPEAR IN CLERICAL COURT / GUARDIANS COUNCIL CALLS FOR OFFICIALS' NEUTRALITY / CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DEFENDS HIS RECORD / REFORMIST LEADER CALLS FOR FREE ELECTION / REFORMIST FRONT WILL BACK SINGLE CANDIDATE / REFORMIST CANDIDATE CALLS FOR HIGH ELECTION TURNOUT / NOBEL LAUREATE WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE / REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS SUSPICIOUS OF U.S. INTENTIONS / IRAN GIVES IAEA ACCESS TO MILITARY SITE / URANIUM ENRICHMENT FREEZE IN FORCE. / IRAQI SHI'A LEADERS DENY ACCUSATIONS OF IRANIAN INTERFERENCE DURING VISIT TO TEHRAN / IRANIAN AMBASSADOR DESCRIBES CLERICS WITHOUT BORDERS / IRAQI EXPATRIATES CAN VOTE IN IRAN / IRANIAN BACKING FOR JORDANIAN TERRORIST UPSETS KING ABDULLAH / IRAN FACING CRITICAL AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM
  • IAEA will not inspect Parchin facilities: Asefi IRNA 09 Jan 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here Sunday inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would not inspect military facilities of Parchin.
  • Iran has concerns over WMD: Asefi IRNA 09 Jan 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here Sunday that concerns over weapons of mass destruction is serious, stressing Iran is also concerned about the issue.
  • Iran To Grant Limited Access To Military Site RFE/RL 09 Jan 2005 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said today that his country will allow the UN's nuclear watchdog to take environmental samples from outside a military site.
  • UN to check Iranian military site allegedly linked to nuclear weapons testing UN News Centre 06 Jan 2005 -- The United Nations atomic watchdog agency will be sending inspectors in the coming days to the Parchin military site in Iran, following allegations that it was linked to nuclear weapons testing.
  • ElBaradei: Iran permits IAEA`s inspectors to inspect Parchin military site IRNA 05 Jan 2005 -- Head of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei said here Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran has agreed the IAEA`s inspectors visiting Parchin military site in the southeast of Tehran.
  • IRAN/IAEA VOA 05 Jan 2005 -- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency says the Iranian government has agreed to give his inspectors access to what had been an off limits military site where the United States believes the country may be developing a nuclear weapon.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 1 03 Jan 2005 -- DATE SET FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION / CONSERVATIVES PLAY DOWN THEIR DIFFERENCES / TWO REFORMISTS ANNOUNCE THEIR CANDIDACIES / RAFSANJANI STILL A WILD CARD IN ELECTION POKER / STUDENTS SPLIT ON PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES / ROHANI REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING BID FOR PRESIDENCY / KHATAMI PROPOSES NEW ROADS AND TRANSPORT MINISTER / REPRESSION OF IRANIAN INTERNET SECTOR CONTINUES / INTERNET LAW-ENFORCEMENT MEASURES UNDER WAY / IRAN PROVIDES TSUNAMI RELIEF AID / KHATAMI VISITS EARTHQUAKE SITE / ONE YEAR AFTER QUAKE, BAM RESIDENTS REBUILDING / IRAN AND RUSSIA TO STUDY FLYING SAUCERS / WHERE DOES THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR DEBATE GO FROM HERE? / IRANIAN PUBLIC OFFERS MIXED FEELINGS ON NUCLEAR ISSUE
  • US fighters violate Iranian air space: report IRNA 02 Jan 2005 -- A US warplane has violated Iranian air space, this time a border edge near Afghanistan in the eastern province of Razavi Khorassan, in the latest spate of such overflights reported by the press.



NEWSLETTER
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list