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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


February 2005 Iran Special Weapons News

  • Lavrov describes RF-Iran nuke cooperation as transparent IRNA 28 Feb 2005 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has described Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation as transparent.
  • Two Iran Navy ships arrive at Karachi port IRNA 28 Feb 2005 -- Two Iranian Naval ships arrived at Pakistan`s major port of Karachi Monday on a training mission, the Iranian embassy`s military attache Brigadier General Abbas Bokaie said.
  • EU says Iran-Russia nuclear agreement compatible with European approach IRNA 28 Feb 2005 -- The European Union Monday appeared to support the nuclear agreement signed by Iran and Russia on Sunday.
  • Iran should more actively cooperate with IAEA - ElBaradei IRNA 28 Feb 2005 -- Iran should more willfully and actively cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)in providing information about its nuclear activities, IAEA Director General Mohammed ElBaradei told journalists ahead of the IAEA Board of Governors` meeting on Monday.
  • Russia, Iran not to disclose schedule of nuclear fuel deliveries IRNA 28 Feb 2005 -- The chiefs of Russian and Iranian nuclear agencies signed on Sunday a confidential accord on the schedule of Russia`s deliveries to a nuclear power plant that is built in Bushehr.
  • Bushehr nuclear power plant is a peaceful project -Rumyantsev IRNA 28 Feb 2005 -- The Bushehr nuclear power plant, which Russia is building in Iran, will be used for nothing but peaceful purposes and in strict accordance with the IAEA Charter, Rosatom Head Alexander Rumyantsev stated here on Monday.
  • Iran unlikely to create full nuclear fuel cycle-Rosatom head IRNA 28 Feb 2005 -- Head of Russia`s Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev believes Iran is unlikely to "create a full nuclear fuel cycle comprising the recovery of uranium, its enrichment, production of fuel, its placement in the reactor and then its evacuation, processing and disposal, as it is economically efficient only on the condition that capacities of no less than 8,000-10,000-megawatts are used."
  • UN atomic watchdog seeks 'full transparency' from Iran on all nuclear activities UN News Centre 28 Feb 2005 -- The United Nations agency entrusted with preventing the spread of nuclear weapons called on Iran today to provide "full transparency" on all its nuclear activities, noting that information on some outstanding issues was still pending, while progress has been made on others.
  • LAVROV: IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM IS PEACEFUL RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- The Iranian nuclear program is absolutely peaceful, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said following the talks with the EU trio in Luxembourg on Monday.
  • FULL NUCLEAR CYCLE UNLIKELY TO BE FORMED IN IRAN RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- A full nuclear cycle is rather unlikely to be formed in Iran. This opinion was uttered this Monday at a RIA Novosti press-conference by Alexander Rumyantsev, chief of the Federal Nuclear Energy Agency (Rosatom).
  • US HAS NO CLAIMS AGAINST RUSSIA OVER IRAN RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- Vladimir Putin and George Bush only mentioned Iran in passing at their summit in Bratislava. The presidents evidently addressed all the necessary statements to each other prior to the summit.
  • BUSHEHR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT NOT GUARDED BY RUSSIAN SERVICEMEN RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- The head of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency, Alexander Rumyantsev, has refuted the reports by some mass media that Russian servicemen guard the nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
  • FUEL WILL BE SUPPLIED TO BUSHEHR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- Nuclear fuel will be supplied to the Bushehr nuclear power plant in strict accordance with the technological regulations, head of Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev stated at the press conference in RIA Novosti on Monday.
  • RUMYANTSEV KNOWS WHERE OTHER NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS CAN BE BUILT IN IRAN RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- Alexander Rumyantsev, the head of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency, named the sites where more energy units for the nuclear power plant can be built in Iran.
  • IAEA TO MONITOR SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL TRANSPORTATION BACK TO RUSSIA RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- Russia will transport spent nuclear fuel from Iran in compliance with strict international rules and under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Alexander Rumyantsev, the head of Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency, told a press conference at RIA Novosti.
  • IRANIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO BE COMMISSIONED WITH RUSSIAN FUEL RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- On February 27, Alexander Rumyantsev, the director of Russia's Federal Nuclear Energy Agency, and Iran's Vice-President Gholamreza Agazade, who also heads that country's Atomic Energy Organization, signed an agreement stipulating Russian nuclear-fuel deliveries to the nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
  • IAEA SESSION TO DISCUSS IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAMS RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- The session of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Board of Governors, which opened in Vienna on Monday, will mostly discuss Iranian nuclear programs.
  • CLOSED CONDITIONS OF BUSHEHR FUEL SUPPLIES IS A MEASURE AGAINST COMPETITORS RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2005 -- Secrecy about Russian fuel exports to the first unit of the Bushehr nuclear plant is meant to keep commercial competitors away, Abdollah Ramazanzadeh, official spokesman for the Iranian government, told journalists on Monday
  • RUSSIA EU-IRAN VOA 28 Feb 2005 -- The European Union says Iran must honor its commitments under the United Nations nuclear accords. The E.U. is also downplaying a nuclear deal just signed by Russia and Iran.
  • IAEA/IRAN VOA 28 Feb 2005 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency says it is trying to find out if Iran accepted in its entirety, what is termed, an "extensive offer" in the 1980s from the nuclear black-market network headed by a top Pakistani scientist.
  • Iran Nukes To Top IAEA Agenda RFE/RL 28 Feb 2005 -- Iran's controversial nuclear program tops the agenda when the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) begins meeting today in Vienna.
  • Iran: EU supports Iranian-Russian deal on Bushehr RFE/RL 28 Feb 2005 -- The European Commission today said the bloc has no objections to a deal signed Sunday between Iran and Russia, under which Moscow provides the Iranian nuclear facility at Bushehr uranium -- and then repatriates the spent fuel. Germany, Britain and France have spearheaded a months-long effort to get Iran to indefinitely suspend its own uranium enrichment activities. The effort has so far lacked direct U.S. backing, but reports suggest Washington may now be willing to lend its endorsement to certain offers being made by the EU.
  • Russia continues nuclear cooperation with Iran, despite wide criticism IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency Chief Alexander Rumyantsev said here Sunday that despite wide criticism against Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation, Moscow intends to continue its collaboration with Tehran based on international laws.
  • Iran agrees to return Bushehr plant spent fuel to Russia IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Tehran and Moscow here Sunday signed an agreement, which obliges Iran to return spent fuel of the Bushehr Power Plant to Russia.
  • Aqazadeh: 1st nuclear power plant to become operational in 2006 IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Vice President and Head of Iran`s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Gholam Reza Aqazadeh here Sunday said that the first nuclear power plant will be connected to the national grid in 2006.
  • Iran, Russia sign nuclear fuel agreement opposed by US IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Iran and Russia on Sunday signed an agreement for Moscow to supply fuel to Iran`s new nuclear reactor despite US objections to the deal.
  • Russia, Iran sign document on return of worked-out N-fuel IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Russia and Iran, following a decade since the start of construction of the nuclear power station in Bushehr, adopted a document on a return of worked-out fuel to Russia.
  • Russia, Iran agree on nuclear fuel deliveries, discuss new plants IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Russia and Iran agreed on nuclear fuel deliveries and discuss a possibility of building new nuclear power plants in this country by Russian specialists.
  • Bushehr nuclear power station symbol of Russo-Iranian cooperation IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the former Iranian president and the chairman of the Expediency Council, told Alexander Rumyantsev, the head of the Russian Federal Agency for Nuclear Energy, at a meeting late on Saturday that the Bushehr nuclear power station should symbolize Russian-Iranian cooperation.
  • Russia-Iran atomic cooperation legal - Rumyantsev IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Atomic energy cooperation between Russia and Iran keeps to international norms, head of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev said on Sunday.
  • Russia, Iran continue atomic energy project talks - official IRNA 27 Feb 2005 -- Russia is a priority partner in Iran`s atomic energy program, Iranian Vice President and head of the Atomic Energy Organization Gholamreza Aqazadeh said on Sunday.
  • IRAN/RUSSIA/NUCLEAR VOA 27 Feb 2005 -- Iran and Russia have signed an agreement for Russia to provide nuclear fuel to Iran, and for Tehran to return the spent fuel to Russia. The United States, which suspects Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, opposed the deal.
  • US / IRAN-RUSSIA NUKES VOA 27 Feb 2005 -- Reaction to Sunday's nuclear fuel accord between Iran and Russia varies greatly on opposite sides of the Atlantic, with U.S. officials disapproving and Europeans expressing satisfaction with the safeguards built into the deal.
  • Iran, Russia Sign Nuclear Accord RFE/RL 27 Feb 2005 -- Iran and Russia signed a nuclear fuel agreement today, paving the way for Iran to get its first reactor up and running.
  • Shamkhani terms missile industry as main part of Iran`s deterrent power IRNA 26 Feb 2005 -- Minister of Defense Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said here on Saturday that the missile industry was the main part of Iran`s deterrent power.
  • Iran, Russia to sign contract on return of spent fuel IRNA 26 Feb 2005 -- Iran and Russia are scheduled to sign a contract for the return of spent nuclear fuel to Moscow, in the southern city of Bushehr on Sunday, said an official here Saturday.
  • Minister: Iran expects Russia to defend country`s right to produce nuclear energy IRNA 26 Feb 2005 -- Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini in a meeting with the Head of Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev here on Saturday said that Iran expects Russia to defend Iran`s legitimate right to produce its required atomic energy domestically.
  • Nuclear power plant in Bushehr is absolutely safe - view IRNA 26 Feb 2005 -- The nuclear power plant which Russia is building in Bushehr, `is absolutely safe and meets all present-day international demands`, the director of the Bezopasnost (Safety) enterprise of Rostekhnadzor (Russian Nuclear, Industrial and Environmental Regulatory Authority) told Itar-Tass on Saturday.
  • Russia, Iran Delay Nuclear Fuel Deal RFE/RL 26 Feb 2005 -- Russia and Iran today delayed the expected signing of a deal to supply the Islamic republic with fuel for its first nuclear reactor on condition the spent fuel is returned.
  • U.S. RHETORIC SOFTENS BUT MANY SEE IRAN AS 'NEXT TARGET' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 25 Feb 2005
  • Rowhani views possible US role in EU-Iran talks "positive" IRNA 25 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani here Friday viewed "positive" a likely American role in the political and nuclear negotiations between Europe and Iran.
  • Rowhani upbeat on "positive outcome" of nuclear talks in March IRNA 25 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of Iran`s National Security Council Hassan Rowhani here Friday expressed optimism about a "positive and good result" of the nuclear negotiations between Iran and Europe in March after his meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.
  • Rowhani discusses Iran`s nuclear program with German FM IRNA 25 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council(SNSC) Hassan Rowhani during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in Berlin Friday called for accelerating of the three Iran-EU3 work groups` progress.
  • Fischer reaffirms need for "objective guarantees" on Iran`s nuclear program IRNA 25 Feb 2005 -- German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer here Friday reiterated the need for "objective guarantees" on peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program following talks with the Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani.
  • ROSATOM HEAD TO DISCUSS NUCLEAR COOPERATION IN IRAN RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2005 -- On February 25 Alexander Rumyantsev, the director of the Federal Agency for Nuclear Power (Rosatom), will leave on a two-day working visit to Iran.
  • IRAN MUST NOT POSSESS NUCLEAR WEAPONS RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2005 -- Both Russia and the United States proceed from the premise that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, while discussing that country's nuclear programs.
  • Russian Official Heads To Iran For Nuke Fuel Deal RFE/RL 25 Feb 2005 -- Aleksandr Rumyantsev, the head of Russia's federal nuclear energy agency, is expected to leave for Tehran today to sign an agreement with Iran on the return to Russia of spent nuclear fuel from the Bushehr atomic power plant, which Russia is building in Iran.
  • Iran Nuclear Official To Meet With German Officials RFE/RL 25 Feb 2005 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator and chief of the Supreme National Security Council, Hassan Rowhani, is due to continue his talks in Europe today with meetings with German officials in Berlin.
  • Asefi: No reason for US involvement in Iran-EU talks IRNA 24 Feb 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi here on Thursday said Tehran sees no reason for Washington`s involvement in the ongoing discussions between Iran and the three big European countries.
  • Haddad Adel says US domination over Iran impossible IRNA 24 Feb 2005 -- Majlis Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel said Thursday that the US is willing to dominate Iran again but it is impossible and such a dream will not come true.
  • New Report Says Nuclear-Armed Iran Would Present Clear, Present Danger to US VOA News 23 Feb 2005 -- A new report by an influential group of diplomats and Middle East scholars says a nuclear-armed Iran would present a clear and present danger to U.S. interests, and urges President Bush to retain the option of using military force, if necessary, to disrupt Iran's nuclear ambitions.
  • Khatami stresses Iran`s right to possess peaceful nuclear technology IRNA 23 Feb 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday stressed Iran`s right to get access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and said that the Europeans would suffer more than Iran if they decide to succumb to US pressures.
  • Bush says Iran nuclear diplomacy "just beginning", keeps options open IRNA 23 Feb 2005 -- American President George W. Bush reaffirmed Wednesday support for Europe`s diplomatic Iran initiative but made clear that all other options remain open.
  • Supreme Leader: Iran should acquire advanced science, technology IRNA 23 Feb 2005 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Iran should reach such a stage of scientific and technological progress that the great nation of Iran deserves.
  • Bush calls 'ridiculous' notion that US plans attack on Iran IRNA 23 Feb 2005 -- US President George W Bush said it would be `simply ridiculous` to assume that the United States plans an attack on Iran.
  • Khatami urges Europe to guarantee Iran`s peaceful nuclear activity IRNA 23 Feb 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday called on Europeans to secure guarantees for Iran`s continued peaceful nuclear technology and activities.
  • Iraqi Minister Warns Against Attack On Iran, Syria RFE/RL 23 Feb 2005 -- Iraq's interim foreign minister said in remarks published today that any attack on neighboring Iran or Syria could destabilize Iraq, but added that there was no indication the United States would resort to force.
  • DoD Not Conducting Flights Over Iran, Spokesman Says AFPS 22 Feb 2005 -- Despite Iranian claims to the contrary, U.S. military aircraft are not flying missions in Iran's airspace, Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita said here today.
  • PENTAGON / IRAN VOA 22 Feb 2005 -- The U.S. Defense Department has denied a claim by Iran that U.S. spy planes have been flying over that country in an effort to gather intelligence about its nuclear facilities.
  • Iran`s n-technology for peaceful use: FM Kharrazi IRNA 22 Feb 2005 -- Addressing a constellation of scholars, academics and policy experts in New Delhi`s elite Sapru House, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Kamal Kharrazi, said, Iran`s "strategy towards nuclear technology is to make peaceful use of nuclear energy and knowledge for the development" of Iran.
  • Iran will consider any US proposal for nuclear talks IRNA 22 Feb 2005 -- Though Iran and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, Iran would consider any proposal from Washingtonto hold talks on Iranian nuclear program, deputy head of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) Mahmoud Vaezi said.
  • Bush Calls Idea of U.S. Attack On Iran 'Ridiculous' RFE/RL 22 Feb 2005 -- U.S. President George W. Bush today forcefully dismissed the idea that Washington is planning to attack Iran to keep the government in Tehran from developing nuclear arms.
  • Pak PM: Pakistan not seeking mediatory role in nuclear issue IRNA 22 Feb 2005 -- Visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here Tuesday Pakistan does not intend to play a mediatory role for Iran regarding its nuclear issue.
  • Pakistani prime minister stresses Iran right to use peaceful nuclear technology IRNA 22 Feb 2005 -- Pakistani prime Minister stressed here Tuesdayn Iran`s legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
  • IRAN / QUAKE VOA 22 Feb 2005 -- The death toll continues to rise following an earthquake early Tuesday in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman. At least 400 people have reportedly been killed and many hundreds more injured. Dozens of villages were damaged or completely flattened. Even so, the Iranian government has said there is no need for international assistance.
  • INDIA/IRAN VOA 22 Feb 2005 -- Iran's foreign minister says Tehran will not abandon its nuclear program under pressure from the United States. The comments came during a visit to India.
  • Gov't spokesman: Bin Laden not arrested by Iran IRNA 21 Feb 2005 -- Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh dismissed the rumors that Iranian security agents have arrested Bin Laden and said such news were totally false and baseless.
  • US rejects EU deal on joint Iran strategy: report IRNA 21 Feb 2005 -- The United States refused to accept a European deal on a joint strategy towards Iran's nuclear program, the online site of Der Spiegel news magazine said Monday.
  • US threats target more Europe than Iran: Nasseri IRNA 21 Feb 2005 -- Head of Iranian negotiating delegation of Technical and Nuclear Committee with EU troika, Sirous Nasseri, here Monday said the United States' political and military threats have targeted more Europe than Iran.
  • US has always sabotaged Iranian relations with other countries IRNA 21 Feb 2005 -- Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said that the US has always sabotaged Iranian relations with other countries and that they are not serious in initiating talks with the Iranian government.
  • Bush accepts that Iran is not Iraq IRNA 21 Feb 2005 -- US President George W Bush Monday said Washington was working closely with Germany, France and the UK on Iran's nuclear program and acknowledged that Iran is different to Iraq.
  • Analysis: Iranian Proliferation Central To Bush-Putin Summit RFE/RL 21 Feb 2005 -- The proliferation danger posed by Iran is likely to be a major topic of discussion when President George W. Bush meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava later this week.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 8 21 Feb 2005 -- IRAN HAS TROUBLE HANDLING CIVIL AFFAIRS EMERGENCIES / TEHRAN DOWN ON LOVE / FATAL TEHRAN MOSQUE FIRE CAUSED NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE / POLICE COMPLAIN OF INADEQUATE COUNTERNARCOTICS BUDGET / IRAN, U.A.E. SIGN COUNTERNARCOTICS MEMO / GROUP IDENTIFIES EIGHT PRESS PRISONERS IN IRAN / RUSHDIE FATWA STILL VALID / ARGENTINEAN JUDICIARY SAYS IT STILL SEEKS IRANIAN OFFICIALS / IRAN STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN HORN OF AFRICA / PROSPECTIVE IRANIAN PILGRIMS TO IRAQ FACE RESTRICTIONS / RUMORS FLY AROUND IRANIAN NUCLEAR REACTOR / TEHRAN, MOSCOW ANNOUNCE DATE FOR NUCLEAR-FUEL-TRANSFER AGREEMENT / IRAN-EU NUCLEAR TALKS ACHIEVE MIXED RESULTS / TEHRAN, DAMASCUS, AND THE HARIRI ASSASSINATION... / ...IRANIANS BLAME ISRAEL... / ...AND EXPRESS UNITY WITH DAMASCUS / LEGISLATURE ALTERS MOBILE-PHONE DEAL WITH TURKISH FIRM / NATURAL GAS PIPELINE DEAL WITH INDIA FORTHCOMING... / ...AND OIL DEALS UNDERWAY / IRAN MAJOR SUBJECT OF SCHOLARLY INTEREST THIS YEAR
  • ElBaradei urges US to join EU-Iran nuclear talks IRNA 19 Feb 2005 -- The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohammad ElBaradei on Saturday urged the United States to join the ongoing political and nuclear talks between the European Union and Iran.
  • IAEA Urges U.S. To Join Nuclear Talks With Iran RFE/RL 19 Feb 2005 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Muhammad el-Baradei, is calling on the United States to join negotiations with Iran on its nuclear capability.
  • United States Wants Diplomacy To Work with Iran, Bush Says Washington File 18 Feb 2005 -- Europe and the United States need to speak clearly to Iran "with one voice" to convey their common position that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, President Bush said.
  • RUSSIA / IRAN VOA 18 Feb 2005 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he is convinced Iran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons. His statement comes less than a week before his meeting with President Bush in Slovakia, where the subject of Iran's nuclear ambitions will likely be discussed.
  • Rice remarks show US anger, weakness: says Asefi IRNA 18 Feb 2005 -- Iran`s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi here Friday described recent anti-Iran remarks by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as the result of US anger and its weakness in imposing its policies against Iran.
  • 'No logic' in US opposition to Paris Agreement, says Iran envoy IRNA 18 Feb 2005 -- Iranian Ambassador to London, Mohammad Hossein Adeli, said Friday that the US was irrational in provoking an intimidating atmosphere towards the EU in negotiating long term arrangements on Iran`s nuclear programme.
  • Putin expresses confidence in Iran`s peaceful nuclear program IRNA 18 Feb 2005 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin here Friday expressed his confidence in Iran`s peaceful nuclear program, stressing Moscow will firmly continue its cooperation with Iran in technical and military fields.
  • Russia stresses diplomatic ways to settle Iran`s nuclear issue IRNA 18 Feb 2005 -- Russia`s Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov here Friday stressed the importance of adopting peaceful strategies to settle Iran`s nuclear issue and avoiding non-diplomatic ways.
  • RUSSIA IS CONVINCED IRAN HAS NO NUCLEAR AMBITIONS RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2005 -- Iran's recent actions have persuaded Russia that this country does not plan to produce nuclear weapons, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the meeting with Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Hasan Rowhani in the Kremlin.
  • Iran: Tehran Says Nuclear Deal With Russia To Be Signed Next Week RFE/RL 18 Feb 2005 -- Iran's Atomic Energy Organization says an agreement on the return of spent nuclear fuel from its Bushehr nuclear plant to Russia will be signed next week. The signing of the protocol, which is considered as one of the main remaining obstacles to the start-up of Iran 's first nuclear reactor, has been delayed several times in the past, raising doubts among some analysts that it will now actually take place.
  • Putin Confident Iran Is Not Pursuing Nuclear Weapons RFE/RL 18 Feb 2005 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that he is convinced Iran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
  • Report on missile strike on Bushehr US provocation - Iran official IRNA 17 Feb 2005 -- The report on an alleged missile strike on the southern Iranian province of Bushehr on Wednesday is a component part of the `psychological war` waged by the United States against Iran, head of the propaganda department of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Agha Mohammadi said.
  • Explosion in Bushehr does not affect Russian workers at NPP IRNA 17 Feb 2005 -- Wednesday`s explosion in the southern Iranian province of Bushehr has not affected the work of Russian specialists who are building a nuclear power plant in this region.
  • No time limit for nuclear talks with Europe: Kharrazi IRNA 17 Feb 2005 -- The Iranian government does not set a specific time limit for its current nuclear negotiations with the Europeans but Tehran insists on its legitimate right to enrich uranium, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Thursday.
  • Iran deal could redress imbalance between EU, US, says Adeli IRNA 17 Feb 2005 -- Iranian Ambassador to the UK, Mohammad Hossein Adeli, has suggested that a successful outcome to the ongoing discussions to reach long term arrangements on Iran`s nuclear program could redress the imbalance between the EU and US.
  • Wednesday`s blast Daylam caused by dynamite explosion IRNA 17 Feb 2005 -- The sound of a blast which was heard from a mountainous region in the southern province of Bushehr was caused by explosion of dynamites used for road construction, said a local security official on Thursday.
  • No new discoveries on Iran's nuclear programme in past six months - IAEA chief UN News Centre 17 Feb 2005 -- As the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency prepares to assess Iran's compliance with its non-proliferation obligations, the agency's chief says there have been no discoveries in the past six months to substantiate claims that Tehran is secretly working toward building a nuclear bomb.
  • RUMYANTSEV ON NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH CHINA, IRAN RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2005 -- Russia is waiting for China's permission to launch the nuclear power plant in Tianwan, head of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev told journalists on Thursday.
  • BUSH / IRAN / ISRAEL VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- President Bush says Israel has reason to fear Iran, and that the United States remains committed to ensuring Israel's security.
  • Middle East: Iran And Syria Pledge Closer Cooperation To Confront 'Challenges' RFE/RL 17 Feb 2005 -- Iran and Syria are pledging closer cooperation in the face of growing pressure on both of them from the United States. It's not clear how close this union will be. The two immediately appeared to backtrack from their initial announcement. Word of the union came as U.S. officials ratcheted up criticism of both.
  • SERGEI LAVROV ON SOLUTION OF IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROBLEM RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2005 -- The development of political process is the only way to solve the Iranian nuclear problem, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference in Yerevan.
  • PROTOCOL ON NUCLEAR WASTE RETURN FROM IRAN TO RUSSIA TO BE SIGNED ON FEBRUARY 26 RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2005 -- Russia and Iran will sign a protocol on the return of nuclear waste to Russia on February 26.
  • IRAN PROMISES RETALIATION TO POTENTIAL ATTACKERS RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2005 -- Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani has warned that Iran would strike back promptly and correspondingly in case of any attack on Iranian nuclear and civil facilities.
  • Iran, Syria Counter U.S. Criticism, Cite 'Common Ties' RFE/RL 17 Feb 2005 -- Iran and Syria have presented a united front against what they see as challenges and threats against them.
  • Iran: Tehran Accuses U.S. Of Spying On Nuclear Sites RFE/RL 17 Feb 2005 -- Iran said yesterday that the United States has been spying on Iranian nuclear and military sites for some time using satellites and other means. The announcement followed a report in "The Washington Post" on 13 February that quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying American drones have been flying over Iran to seek evidence of nuclear weapon programs. Experts say that flying surveillance planes over a country's airspace is a violation of international laws.
  • Iran Predicts February Nuclear Deal With Moscow RFE/RL 17 Feb 2005 -- A senior Iranian official said today that his country intends to sign a nuclear fuel deal with Russia next week, which could clear the way for Iran to operate its Russian-built nuclear power plant.
  • White House Report, February 16: Iran, Syria Washington File 16 Feb 2005 -- White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said reports that Syria and Iran are forming a "united front" against the United States reflect "a fundamental misreading" of the concerns about them.
  • CONGRESS/IRAN VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Iran's leadership has been sharply criticized in congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers assess what steps the United States, Europe and others can take to avert a nuclear-armed Iran. The criticism, and testimony by experts, came amid Iranian warnings regarding what it calls U.S. aerial intelligence-gathering efforts, as well as European calls for stepped up diplomatic efforts.
  • U.S./EUROPE/IRAN VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently concluded a trip to Europe aimed at improving relations between the two sides. While the trip helped mend fences between Washington and its traditional allies, some contentious issues still remain.
  • IRAN / TERRORISM VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Experts and other witnesses appearing before a congressional committee say Iran continues to support terrorist groups and is encouraging instability in Iraq. A hearing (Wednesday) also included emotional testimony by individuals affected by Iranian-backed terrorism.
  • Kharrazi: Iran to continue nuclear talks with EU3 IRNA 16 Feb 2005 -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi in a meeting here with Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Junker on Tuesday appreciated Junker`s rejection of US threats against Iran and stressed that Iran will continue its nuclear talks with the three EU members.
  • US pledged not to hamper EU-Iran nuclear talks: Solana IRNA 16 Feb 2005 -- American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has pledged not to hamper the sensitive nuclear talks between the European Union 3 (Germany, France, Britain) and Iran, DPA quoted EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana as saying Wednesday.
  • Kharrazi urges "effective" German efforts in finalizing EU-Iran deal IRNA 16 Feb 2005 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Wednesday urged "effective" German efforts in coming up with a long-term political and nuclear accord between the European Union and Iran.
  • Iran wants 'serious talks' with EU on nuclear, other issues IRNA 16 Feb 2005 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Tuesday his country wanted serious discussions with the European Union on Iran`s nuclear program as well as its relations with the EU.
  • Official denies attack on Iran`s nuclear, oil facilities IRNA 16 Feb 2005 -- Governor General of the southern province of Bushehr Esmaeel Tabadar here on Wednesday has denied any attack on Iran`s nuclear and oil facilities in the province.
  • IRAN SHOULD PROVE IT HAS NO NUCLEAR AMBITIONS RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2005 -- German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharazi expressed "careful optimism" about the settlement of the Tehran nuclear problem.
  • EXPLOSION IN IRAN DOES NOT HIT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN BUSHEHR RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2005 -- The nuclear power plant in Bushehr in Iraq's south did not suffer from the explosion in this area, the Russian atomic energy agency told RIA Novosti [Russian specialists are involved in the construction of the plant]. Thus the fact of the explosion was indirectly confirmed.
  • IRAN DENIES INFORMATION ABOUT EXPLOSION NEAR BUSHEHR RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2005 -- The Iranian leadership denies information about a powerful explosion in the southern Iranian province Bushehr on the Persian Gulf coast.
  • US espionage against Iran is not something new: Younessi IRNA 16 Feb 2005 -- Iran`s Information (Intelligence) Minister Ali Younessi said here Wednesday that the United States` Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been always spying against Iran using satellites and other tools.
  • Explosion Reported In Iran's Bushehr Province RFE/RL 16 Feb 2005 -- Iranian state television is reporting an explosion today in the province of Bushehr, where a contentious project to build a nuclear facility is under way.
  • Israel Says Iran Close to Acquiring Nuclear Weapons Know-How RFE/RL 16 Feb 2005 -- Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom says Iran will have the knowledge to build nuclear weapons within six months. Shalom made his remarks today to reporters during a visit to London.
  • IRAN / NUCLEAR VOA 15 Feb 2005 -- A top Iranian official says talks with the European Union on Tehran's nuclear program must produce concrete results soon. The official, Foreign Minister Kamel Kharrazi, made his remarks in Luxembourg as a March deadline approaches for the negotiations to conclude. The European Union wants Iran to give up its uranium enrichment program in exchange for economic incentives.
  • US against an Iran-Europe nuclear agreement: Rowhani IRNA 15 Feb 2005 -- Iran`s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Hassan Rowhani said here Monday night that the United States is putting pressure on Europe in the ongoing nuclear negotiations because it is not in favor of any agreement that may be entered into by the two sides.
  • Straw sees diplomatic solution possible in Iran nuke stand-off IRNA 15 Feb 2005 -- Visiting British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Monday he discussed Iran`s nuclear program with the Pakistani leadership and believes an "amicable and diplomatic" solution to the discord can be found.
  • US allegations baseless, unfounded: Iranian consul general IRNA 14 Feb 2005 -- The consul general of Iran in Karachi on Monday dubbed the US allegations against Tehran`s peaceful nuclear program as "baseless and unfounded."
  • Pakistan, Britain for diplomatic solution to Iran`s N-issue IRNA 14 Feb 2005 -- Pakistan and Britain on Monday supported diplomatic solution to the issue of Iran`s peaceful nuclear program.
  • No German demand for UN referral if Iran resumes uranium enrichment: official IRNA 14 Feb 2005 -- The German government has not demanded a UN referral, if Iran does resume its uranium enrichment, German foreign ministry spokeswoman Antje Leendertse told IRNA in Berlin on Monday.
  • Iran: Tehran's Rejection Of EU Offer Signals Difficulty Of Talks RFE/RL 14 Feb 2005 -- International efforts aimed at convincing Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions appeared to suffer a setback yesterday when Iran rejected a European offer of a light-water nuclear reactor. The reactor would have been provided in exchange for Iran giving up construction of a heavy-water reactor that could also be used to make nuclear weapons material.
  • Iran Says Doesn't Intend To Develop Nuclear Weapons RFE/RL 14 Feb 2005 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamel Kharrazi said today that Iran "does not have any program to produce" nuclear weapons.
  • IRAN'S PLANS TO INCREASE VOLUME OF NUCLEAR FUEL SUPPLIES ARE NOT RELATED TO LAUNCH OF BUSHEHR NPP RIA Novosti 14 Feb 2005 -- Iran's plans to become one of the largest suppliers of nuclear fuel are not related to the planned 2006 launch of the Bushehr nuclear power plant (NPP), the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) told RIA Novosti.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 7 14 Feb 2005 -- INTELLIGENCE MINISTRY REFORM MAY NOT BE PERMANENT / EXPEDIENCY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN ADDRESSES INTERNATIONAL, DOMESTIC AFFAIRS / WOMEN'S STATUS WILL IMPROVE DESPITE SHORT-TERM REVERSALS / DISSIDENT CLERIC FREED FROM PRISON / MILITARY OFFICERS DESCRIBE NATIONAL CAPABILITIES / IRAN ACCUSES U.S. OF INTERFERENCE IN IRAQI AFFAIRS... / ...AS IT REFURBISHES HOLY SITES / IRAN COMMEMORATES REVOLUTION'S ANNIVERSARY / LEBANESE SHI'A LEADERS PRAISE IRAN / IRANIAN LEADERS LEVEL TERRORISM ACCUSATIONS AT UNITED STATES / ARMENIAN DEFENSE OFFICIALS VISIT TEHRAN / TEHRAN CRITICAL OF WASHINGTON'S REGIONAL PLANS / IRAN BUYS AUSTRIAN SNIPER RIFLES / IRAN'S NUCLEAR SECTOR CAN RECOVER QUICKLY FROM ATTACK / IRAN TALKS TOUGH AHEAD OF NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS WITH EUROPE / TEHRAN COMPLAINS ABOUT U.S.-EU NUCLEAR APPROACH / NORWEGIAN BUSINESSMEN BUCK THE TIDE BY VISITING IRAN / IRAN'S NEW AIRPORT TO REOPEN IN APRIL / RADIO FARDA ON DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
  • Report Details US Spy Flights Over Iran VOA News 13 Feb 2005 -- A published report says the United States has been flying drones over Iran for almost a year, looking for evidence of nuclear weapons programs and detect weaknesses in air defenses.
  • BUSH/IRAN/NORTH KOREA VOA 13 Feb 2005 -- President Bush is getting ready for a key round of talks with European leaders talks that could focus to a large extent on Iran and North Korea. There are renewed concerns about these two countries and their nuclear ambitions.
  • Asefi: Iran to insist on its stand in ongoing talks with EU IRNA 13 Feb 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi stressed here Sunday that Tehran would insist on its stand in talks with the EU, stressing that the country will "never abandon its legitimate rights."
  • Iran, European states make good progress in nuclear talks: Asefi IRNA 13 Feb 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here Sunday that Iran and the European states of France, Germany and Britain have made good progress during their recent nuclear talks.
  • Iran may sign framework accord with EU Troika by late May IRNA 13 Feb 2005 -- Iran may sign a framework agreement on its nuclear program with the EU Troika by the end of May, chief negotiator with the EU Troika Hussein Mousavian said.
  • Kharrazi: Discrimination in NPT revision not acceptable IRNA 13 Feb 2005 -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here Sunday that developing states, including Iran, would not accept any new discrimination in reviewing the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • Iran optimistic about nuclear talks with EU IRNA 13 Feb 2005 -- Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel said Sunday that Iran is optimistic about the outcome of its nuclear talks with the European Union, saying the talks will continue until both sides arrive at a real guarantee.
  • Parliament to oblige IAEO to resume uranium enrichment IRNA 13 Feb 2005 -- Parliament will oblige Iran`s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) to produce part of the nuclear fuel needed for the country`s reactors, a senior nuclear energy official announced here Sunday.
  • EU seeks firm US commitment on final Iran nuclear accord: Khoshroo IRNA 13 Feb 2005 -- The European Union has begun a new round of talks with the United States, hoping to get Washington`s firm commitment to respect the final outcome of the Iran-EU nuclear accord, a senior Iranian official told IRNA on Saturday on the sidelines of the 41st Munich Conference on Security Policy.
  • Schroeder urges "active US support" for Europe`s Iran diplomacy IRNA 12 Feb 2005 -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called on the United States "to actively support" European diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.
  • Germany calls for end to Iran`s isolation, incentives to end nuclear ambitions IRNA 12 Feb 2005 -- Germany appealed Saturday for the United States to join Europe in ending the isolation of Iran, saying economic and security incentives were needed to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
  • Iran starts production of torpedoes IRNA 12 Feb 2005 -- Iran Saturday launched a production line of torpedoes, with Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani stating that it marked completion of `the Islamic Republic`s defensive cycle at sea`.
  • Khatami: Iran Willing To Continue Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 12 Feb 2005 -- Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said today Tehran is willing to continue nuclear talks with the European Union, but only under certain conditions.
  • Envoy says nuclear arms not in Iran`s military doctrine IRNA 11 Feb 2005 -- Iran`s Ambassador to the Philippines Jalal Kalantari said in Manila on Friday that the production of nuclear arms has no place in Iran`s military doctrine.
  • Rafsanjani recommends US approach Iran through peaceful means IRNA 11 Feb 2005 -- Chairman of the Expediency Council (EC) Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani here on Friday recommended that White House officials seek peaceful approaches toward the Islamic Republic.
  • Diplomats: US to increases pressure on Iran in next IAEA meeting IRNA 11 Feb 2005 -- Western diplomats at IAEA said here Friday, Washington intends to increase pressure on Iran in the next Governing Council meeting of the agency on February 28.
  • US / IRAN RELATIONS VOA 11 Feb 2005 -- Over the past week the Bush Administration has issued more warnings to Iran that it must abandon its nuclear aspirations and end support for terrorism. On Thursday, there was a press report that the U.S. military has acknowledged that it is updating its war plan for Iran.
  • Asefi lauds Iran`s stand on nuclear energy IRNA 10 Feb 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi here on Thursday termed Tehran`s stand regarding nuclear energy issue as wise.
  • Younesi stresses Iran`s right to develop peaceful nuclear energy IRNA 10 Feb 2005 -- Minister of Information Ali Younesi said here on Thursday that Iran will by no means give up its legitimate right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
  • Ralliers stress Iran`s right on civilian use of nuclear energy IRNA 10 Feb 2005 -- Tehrani ralliers, in their resolution issued on Thursday, stressed the legitimate right of the Iranian nation for civilian use of nuclear energy.
  • Shamkhani: West playing `good cop/bad cop` on Iran`s nuclear program IRNA 10 Feb 2005 -- Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani Thursday lumped the Europeans with the US government as `enemies` of Iran`s nuclear program, saying they were playing the `good cop` role in a game, in which the Bush regime was acting the heavy.
  • Rowhani says negotiations, only way for Iran`s nuclear issue IRNA 10 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani said on Thursday that negotiations is the only way for settlement of Iran`s nuclear issue with the west.
  • Khatami: Iran will become `burning hell` for any aggressor IRNA 10 Feb 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami Thursday warned that Iran would unleash hell if it were attacked, while another top official described a likely assault on the country`s nuclear facilities as `the most stupid move`.
  • RICE / IRAN / EUROPE VOA 09 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pressed European diplomats to take a tough line with Tehran in talks on Iran's nuclear program. She said Iran should be aware that a referral of the issue to the U.N. Security Council is looming, if it does not fully disclose its nuclear activities.
  • Rice Discusses Iranian Nuclear Issue AFPS 09 Feb 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today called upon the Iranian government to discontinue its suspected efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
  • Rowhani: A bright prospect to open up in nuclear talks by Friday IRNA 09 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani said that a bright prospect will open up for Iran-Europe nuclear talks by Friday.
  • Iran not to give up right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes: Speaker IRNA 09 Feb 2005 -- Majlis Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel on Wednesday reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran will by no means give up its legitimate right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
  • Blair refuses to rule out joining any US action against Iran IRNA 09 Feb 2005 -- Prime Minister Tony Blair Wednesday refused to categorically rule out that he would support US President George W. Bush in any military adventurism against Iran, but said that he believed the nuclear dispute could be pursued by diplomacy.
  • Japanese FM says Iran committed to IAEA resolutions IRNA 09 Feb 2005 -- Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is following the provisions of the resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
  • (Editorial) Iran`s nuclear case will never go to UN Security Council IRNA 09 Feb 2005 -- Suffering from humiliation after the US propaganda campaign against Iranian nuclear program failed in the latest meeting of the Board of the Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to refer the case to the UN Security Council, Washington has embarked on a new series of lobbying for such a referral.
  • Speaker: US threats against Iran due to independence IRNA 09 Feb 2005 -- Majlis Speaker Gholamali Haddad-Adel said here Wednesday that the US threats and pressures on Iran over nuclear technology are due to Iran`s independence.
  • Khatami: Iran opposed to production of nuclear weapons IRNA 09 Feb 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday said Iran is opposed to producing nuclear weapons but insisted however on peaceful nuclear technology.
  • AUSTRIA/IRAN GUNS VOA 09 Feb 2005 -- An Austrian deal to supply high-calibre machine guns to the National Iranian Police to combat drug smuggling has raised concerns in the United States, worried that the weapons could be used by terrorists in Iraq.
  • Japan Urges Iran To Reach Deal With EU RFE/RL 09 Feb 2005 -- Japan today joined nations urging Iran to reach an agreement with the European Union to abandon its controversial nuclear programs.
  • Rice Warns Iran Of UN Sanctions RFE/RL 09 Feb 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today Iran should be warned that it faces referral to the UN Security Council, unless it accepts a European deal on its nuclear program.
  • Iran issue can be solved diplomatically: Boutros Boutros-Ghali IRNA 08 Feb 2005 -- Former secretary-general of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, said that all difficult issues in international politics can be sorted out by diplomatic means. He said that the current stalemate over the nuclear position of Iran can also be sorted out similarly.
  • New round of Iran-EU3 nuclear talks gets underway IRNA 08 Feb 2005 -- The new round of Iran-EU3 talks on Iran`s nuclear program started in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday. An Iranian diplomat wishing to remain anonymous told IRNA that the talks are going to be conducted by nuclear specialists.
  • Solana: EU to comply with all obligations agreed with Iran IRNA 08 Feb 2005 -- European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security People, Javier Solana, stressed Tuesday that the EU was serious in negotiations with Iran.
  • Asefi rejects Blair`s anti-Iran claims IRNA 08 Feb 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi on Tuesday ruled out British Prime Minister Tony Blair`s anti-Iran claims, calling them affected by the prevailing atmosphere and influenced by the extremist stances of the Zionist regime.
  • U.S./Iran: Former Weapons Inspector Says U.S. Must Avoid Mistakes Of Iraq RFE/RL 08 Feb 2005 -- Two years ago, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush was making its case for the invasion of Iraq. The cornerstone of that argument was that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Now, the concern over such an arsenal has shifted to Iraq's neighbor, Iran, which the United States suspects of trying to develop a nuclear-weapons program. Though U.S officials insist that military action against Iran is not on the agenda at this point, many observers say they hear dangerous echoes of the run-up to the invasion of Iraq. One of the most prominent voices in recent days to warn against a quick rush to war in Iran is David Kay, formerly the Bush administration's chief weapons inspector in Iraq. Kay resigned after no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq.
  • Iran, EU To Resume Nuclear Talks In Geneva RFE/RL 08 Feb 2005 -- Representatives of Iran and the European Union are due today to hold further negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
  • Blair Says Iran Is Sponsor Of Terrorism RFE/RL 08 Feb 2005 -- U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair today called Iran a state sponsor of terrorism and urged Tehran to meet European Union demands and renounce its suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons.
  • IRAN AND EU COUNTRIES TO RECOMMENCE TALKS ON NUCLEAR PROBLEMS RIA Novosti 08 Feb 2005 -- Iran and the European Union Troika - Germany, France and Great Britain - will resume the talks on the Iranian nuclear program in Geneva on Tuesday.
  • Kharrazi to outline Iran`s peaceful nuclear program IRNA 07 Feb 2005 -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here Monday he will brief senior Malaysian officials on the trend of Iran`s peaceful nuclear program.
  • A "mistake" for Israel to attack Iran, warns Solana IRNA 07 Feb 2005 -- A military strike against Iran`s nuclear facilities by Israel would be a "mistake," the European Union`s foreign policy chief Javier Solana has warned.
  • Defense minister: Possession of nuclear arms detrimental to Iran`s national interest IRNA 07 Feb 2005 -- Possession of nuclear arms is harmful to Iran and will never serve national interest, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said on Monday.
  • Ramezanzadeh dismisses Rice`s recent anti-Iran remarks IRNA 07 Feb 2005 -- Government spokesman Abdullah Ramezanzadeh on Monday lashed out at the US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice`s recent Iran claims, saying Iranian officials have time and again declared negotiations as a principle favored by Tehran but the such talks should be made under their own special conditions.
  • Iran is keen to speed up nuclear talks with EU, Ramezanzadeh IRNA 07 Feb 2005 -- Iran is keen to speed up negotiations with the European partners and see transparent stance from the two parties, Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said on Monday.
  • Return of spent nuclear fuel should follow commercial terms: Moscow IRNA 07 Feb 2005 -- Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Power Alexander Rumyantev is to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran in the second half of February to study economic terms for the return of spent nuclear fuel from Bushehr to Russia.
  • Malaysian FM lauds Iran`s nuclear confidence-building strategy IRNA 07 Feb 2005 -- Malaysian Foreign Minister Hamid Albar on Monday lauded Iran`s nuclear confidence-building policy.
  • U.S. Comments On Expected Iran-Russia Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 07 Feb 2005 -- The United States appears to be taking a relaxed view of an expected deal in which Russia will supply nuclear fuel for a Russian-built nuclear reactor in Iran.
  • Iran: Tehran Talks Tough Ahead Of Nuclear Negotiations With Europeans RFE/RL 07 Feb 2005 -- Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani has warned of "retaliation" and an acceleration of Tehran's efforts to master nuclear technology if the United States or Israel attacks its nuclear facilities.
  • U.S. To Use Diplomacy In Iran Nuclear Dispute RFE/RL 07 Feb 2005 -- Senior U.S. officials say Washington is intent on pursuing a diplomatic track in the dispute with Iran over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 6 07 Feb 2005 -- IRAN REJECTS TERRORISM ALLEGATIONS AS IT PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR ANTI-ISRAEL ORGANIZATIONS / STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS PUTS BALL IN IRAN'S COURT / U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HAS STRONG WORDS FOR IRAN / SUPREME LEADER DENOUNCES GLOBAL 'ARROGANCE.' / GENERAL ELECTRIC RENOUNCES FUTURE IRAN ORDERS / LEADER OF IRANIAN HAJJ PILGRIMS COMES HOME / NEW ROADS AND TRANSPORT MINISTER APPROVED / PARLIAMENTARY DECISION COULD KILL MOBILE-PHONE DEAL / ALLEGED ISRAELI SPY SENTENCED IN IRAN / U.S., GULF STATES DISCUSS IRAN'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS / NUCLEAR OFFICIAL EXPRESSES DISPLEASURE WITH URANIUM-ENRICHMENT SUSPENSION / IRAN PLEDGES TO HELP LEBANESE DEFENSE INDUSTRY DURING DEFENSE MINISTER VISIT / IRAN STILL HOLDS BRITISH BOATS / SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ASYMMETRIC WARFARE IMPORTANT FOR NAVY / IRANIAN CLERIC OPPOSES THEOCRACY FOR IRAQ / TEHRAN ANTICIPATES END OF IRAQI OCCUPATION / IRANIAN AYATOLLAH DID NOT VOTE IN IRAQ / IOM SAYS 93 PERCENT OF REGISTERED EXPATRIATES VOTED / IRANIAN MEDIA REACTION TO IRAQI ELECTIONS / ACCORD ON CASPIAN LEGAL STATUS STILL HOSTAGE TO RIVAL CLAIMS
  • Iran Needs Transparency On Nuclear Activities, Cheney Says Washington File 06 Feb 2005 -- Vice President Cheney says Iran needs to assure the world that it is not trying to acquire nuclear weapons.
  • FM Spokesman: Iran in no need for go-between in ties with US IRNA 06 Feb 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi stressed that Iran is in no need of go-between in its relations with the United States.
  • Nuclear weapons bring Iran no power: Zarif IRNA 06 Feb 2005 -- Iran`s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Javad Zarif said here Saturday night that nuclear weapons will not bring power for Iran.
  • Iran confronting world bullies: Supreme Leader IRNA 06 Feb 2005 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, here Thursday said the Iranian nation has confronted world bullies, making the Islamic world quite sure that arrogance can be fought successfully.
  • EC chairman: Iran will never overlook its right to acquire nuclear energy IRNA 06 Feb 2005 -- Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Sunday that Iran will never overlook its right to acquire nuclear energy.
  • Iran urges Europeans `more seriousness` in nuclear negotiations IRNA 06 Feb 2005 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman called on European negotiators Sunday to show `more seriousness` in talks about the Tehran`s nuclear program and said Iran had kept its commitment to suspend its uranium enrichment program.
  • Air Force commander: We are ready to fight against enemies IRNA 06 Feb 2005 -- Commander of Air Force Brigadier General Karim Ghavami said here Sunday that the armed forces possess all types of conventional weapons to fight against enemies.
  • CHENEY / IRAN VOA 06 Feb 2005 -- Vice President Dick Cheney says the Bush administration supports European efforts to end Iran's nuclear-enrichment program. But he is not ruling out possible military action in the future, if diplomatic efforts with Iran fail.
  • Iran Rejects Rice's 'Threats' RFE/RL 06 Feb 2005 -- Iran today rejected what it called "threats" by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
  • Iran Says It Would Retaliate If Attacked RFE/RL 06 Feb 2005 -- Iran's chief nuclear negotiator says Tehran would both retaliate and accelerate its drive to master nuclear technology if the United States or Israel attacked its atomic facilities.
  • Diplomacy Can Help Bring Democracy, Reform to Iran, Rice Says Washington File 05 Feb 2005 -- The United States and Europe share a "common purpose" in using all diplomatic means to tell Iran that they cannot be full members of the international community if they pursue nuclear weapons, support terrorism in the Middle East, and deny democracy to their own people, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Berlin on February 4.
  • Iran`s top military chief vows `crushing answer` to any attack IRNA 05 Feb 2005 -- A top military chief said here Saturday that Iran`s armed forces were completely ready to repel any possible aggression amid international concerns about the specter of another adventurism by the Bush regime.
  • Attack on Iran "Not on the Agenda," Says Rice in London Washington File 04 Feb 2005 -- The United States is not planning an attack on Iran, said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice February 4, but Iran should take the opportunity presented by its talks with European countries to demonstrate it is serious about living up to its international obligations.
  • RICE / GERMANY VOA 04 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, traveling in Europe on her first foreign trip in her new job, says the Bush administration is continuing to rely on diplomacy to stop what U.S. officials believe is Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. She says the use of force is not on the U.S. agenda, at this time.
  • Iran confronting world bullies: Supreme Leader IRNA 04 Feb 2005 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, here Thursday said the Iranian nation has confronted world bullies, making the Islamic world quite sure that arrogance can be fought successfully.
  • US considering Pakistan`s request for F-16 jets: official IRNA 04 Feb 2005 -- The US Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith said on Thursday that Washington is still considering Pakistan`s request for F-16s aircraft.
  • Rice rules out US but not Israeli military strike on Iran IRNA 04 Feb 2005 -- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied Friday that the US was currently considering military action against Iran but refused to say whether Washington would seek to deter threatened Israeli strikes.
  • Iran Disguising Weapons Programs as Energy Projects, Rice Says Washington File 04 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Iran is attempting to hide its nuclear weapons-related activities "under cover of civilian nuclear power," and should live up to its obligations to have verification inspection of its nuclear sites.
  • Rice Says Iranian Regime 'Something To Be Loathed' RFE/RL 04 Feb 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the Iranian government's treatment of its own people is "something to be loathed."
  • Tehran Reacts To Bush State Of the Union Address RFE/RL 04 Feb 2005 -- "To promote peace in the broader Middle East, we must confront regimes that continue to harbor terrorists and pursue weapons of mass murder," U.S. President George W. Bush said in his 3 February State of the Union address. After discussing Syrian interference in Lebanon and cooperation with terrorists, he turned to Iran.
  • U.S.: Secretary Of State Arrives In Europe With Strong Words For Iran RFE/RL 04 Feb 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Europe today armed with strong words for Iran. Just a day after U.S. President George W. Bush vowed to continue working with European allies to persuade Tehran to end its nuclear program, Rice said Washington would not accept requests to take part in European diplomacy with Iran. Rice criticized Iran's human rights record, saying nonelected mullahs in Tehran are bad for the Iranian people and the region.
  • RICE-IRAN VOA 03 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, beginning her first foreign trip as Secretary, says the United States is seeking European help in trying to deal with destabilizing Iranian behavior with regard to terrorism, nuclear weapons and Iraq. She says the Iranian government's human rights record and treatment of its own people are something to be loathed.
  • FRANCE/IRAN/WEAPONS VOA 03 Feb 2005 -- France's Defense Minister is defending European efforts to prod Iran to give up its nuclear fuel enrichment program, despite criticism by both the Iranian government. Remarks by French Minister Michele Alliot-Marie come a day after President Bush accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism.
  • Rowhani: Iran to continue progressive talks with Europe IRNA 03 Feb 2005 -- Iran will continue talks with the European delegation as long as it feels the negotiations are progressive, are in line with the goals and are oriented towards settlement of issues, Iran`s chief nuclear negotiator said here Thursday.
  • China stresses Iran nuclear settlement within IAEA IRNA 03 Feb 2005 -- China`s Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan here Thursday stressed settlement of Iran`s nuclear issue in an appropriate way and within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  • Tehran dismisses Bush`s anti-Iran claims IRNA 03 Feb 2005 -- Tehran on Thursday dismissed the US President George W. Bush`s anti-Iran claims and said they are repetition of former "baseless" charges and allegations, lacking any basis and foundation.
  • Mousavian calls on EU to deliver on Paris Agreement IRNA 03 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council`s foreign policy committee, Hossein Mousavian, said Thursday that it was time for the European Union to deliver on its Paris Agreement with Iran.
  • Rowhani: We`ll never compromise our dignity, independence, know-how IRNA 03 Feb 2005 -- Iran`s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and top nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani said here Thursday Iran will never compromise its independence, dignity and technical know-how but is fully determined to take the right path in dealing with the world.
  • IRGC Commander: Armed forces should exercise vigilance IRNA 03 Feb 2005 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said here Thursday that the country`s armed forces and Basij (voluntary) forces are in full combat readiness and will under command of the Supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution defend the Islamic Revolution.
  • Pakistan denies hosting terror group against Iran IRNA 02 Jan 2005 -- Pakistan on Wednesday outrightly rejected a report which alleged Islamabad was hosting a terrorist group against Iran.
  • UN nuclear watchdog calls on US to join Europe in talks on Iran`s activities IRNA 02 Jan 2005 -- The United Nations atomic watchdog agency says it is `vital` for the United States to join European efforts seeking a diplomatic solution to problems arising out of Iran`s nuclear program and is underscoring the urgency of pre-empting nuclear proliferation and potential acts of terrorism, said a press release issued by the United Nations Information Center here on Wednesday.
  • Pakistan supports Iran`s right to peaceful use of nuclear materials IRNA 02 Jan 2005 -- Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said Wednesday Pakistan supports Iran`s right as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to peaceful use of nuclear energy.
  • Analysis: Kuchma's Ukraine Cruises Back Into The Spotlight RFE/RL 02 Feb 2005 -- An ongoing investigation by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has revealed that in 2002, officials of the SBU, along with high-ranking members of the Ukrainian military and the state arms-sales company UkrSpetzExport, sold at least six cruise missiles each to Iran and China.
  • IRAN / EUROPE / US VOA 02 Feb 2005 -- When Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Europe later this week, the issue of Iran's nuclear program is likely to be high on her agenda. Diplomats on both sides of the Atlantic say Iran is one of their most serious challenges, and they have been struggling to develop a joint strategy on how to deal with it.
  • Ukraine Accused Of Selling Weapons To Iran RFE/RL 02 Feb 2005 -- Ukrainian lawmaker Hryhoriy Omelchenko has alleged in a public letter to President Viktor Yushchenko that Ukraine illegally sold cruise missiles to Iran in violation of international nonproliferation treaties.
  • NEGOTIATIONS THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE IRANIAN NUCLEAR SITUATION RIA Novosti 01 Feb 2005 -- President Bush's comments that the US hoped to solve the problem of Iran's nuclear program through diplomacy, while not discarding other options, have kept the world talking for more than a week now. And not without reason. The world took Mr. Bush's options primarily as a transparent hint about a US military operation against Iran.
  • Iran hopes for development of space cooperation with Russia IRNA 01 Feb 2005 -- Iran hopes for the development of space cooperation with Russia, Iranian Ambassador Gholamreza Shafei said here on Tuesday.
  • US, Zionist threats against Iran psychological war: Rafsanjani IRNA 01 Feb 2005 -- Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said here Tuesday threats made by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran are a psychological war.
  • Russia has chance to participate in building new N-plants in Iran IRNA 01 Feb 2005 -- Russia has "a big chance of participating in implementing new projects for building nuclear power stations in Iran," said Iranian Ambassador to Russia Gholam Reza Shafei on Tuesday.
  • Iran, only Mideast country observing non-proliferation of WMD: Envoy IRNA 01 Feb 2005 -- Iran`s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Pirouz Hosseini said on Monday evening that Iran is the only Mideast country that has fulfilled its commitments regarding non-proliferation of atomic, chemical and biochemical weapons.
  • Aghazadeh: EU-Iran eager to speed up work IRNA 01 Feb 2005 -- Gholamreza Aghazadeh, Vice-President of Iran and Head of Iran`s Atomic Energy Organization, met the European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security, Javier Solana in Brussels Tuesday and discussed Iran`s peaceful nuclear program and EU-Iran relations.
  • Iranian ambassador accuses US of waging psychological war IRNA 01 Feb 2005 -- The United States is waging a psychological war against Iran, the Iranian ambassador in Moscow, Gholamreza Shafei has told Tass in the wake of media reports US commandos have been gathering information inside Iran on likely targets.
  • UN nuclear watchdog calls on US to join Europe in talks on Iran's activities UN News Centre 01 Feb 2005 -- The United Nations atomic watchdog agency says it is "vital" for the United States to join European efforts seeking a diplomatic solution to problems arising out of Iran's nuclear programme and is underscoring the urgency of pre-empting nuclear proliferation and potential acts of terrorism.
  • Iran To Sign Agreement On Russian Nuclear Plant RFE/RL 01 Feb 2005 -- Iran's ambassador to Russia says Tehran is ready to sign an agreement that could clear the way for Russia to open a nuclear power plant in Iran.
  • As Current Negotiations Falter, Resolution With Iran May Come From Cooperation February 1, 2005 -- The first part of this brief identifies three Iranian perceptions and domestic realities that underlie Iran's quest for a nuclear fuel cycle. The second part recommends five ways in which the United States can adopt a coherent foreign policy strategy regarding Iran that includes cooperative multilateral policy options involving European and Arab friends and allies.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 5 01 Feb 2005 -- SABRE-RATTLING FORETELLS REVOLUTION'S ANNIVERSARY / FOREIGN FIRMS RECONSIDER ACTIVITIES IN IRAN / STRAW SAYS U.S. COMMITTED TO DIPLOMATIC APPROACH TOWARD IRAN / SUPREME LEADER BANS INTERPELLATIONS / KHATAMI PROPOSES NEW ROADS AND TRANSPORT MINISTER / FORMER OFFICIAL FACES TRAVEL BAN / CONTRADICTORY REPORTS ABOUT POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE / GUARDIANS COUNCIL'S ROLE IN ELECTIONS CONTROVERSIAL / MKO SUSPECT HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT / AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT VISITS IRAN / IRANIANS ACCUSED OF AIDING PAKISTANI REBELS / AFGHAN PRESIDENT VISITS IRAN / KHATAMI RETURNS FROM AFRICAN TOUR / INTELLIGENCE MINISTER REJECTS IRAQI CHARGES / IRAQIS VOTE IN IRAN



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