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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


March 2005 Iran Special Weapons News



  • Iran: U.S. Dismisses Nuclear Tour As 'Staged Media Event' RFE/RL 31 Mar 2005 -- Iran's President Mohammad Khatami has taken a group of journalists into an underground nuclear facility that Washington wants dismantled.
  • Iran: UN Inspectors Play Detective Over Tehran's Nuclear Activities RFE/RL 31 Mar 2005 -- The United States says Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says it is not. But the task of inspecting Iran's nuclear sites falls to the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The heart of that international inspection effort is a laboratory complex near Vienna, Austria. That's where the IAEA examines samples of materials taken from Iranian facilities to determine whether Tehran is engaged in a purely peaceful pursuit of nuclear technology.
  • Iran: Ethnic Politics Out Of Bounds RFE/RL 31 Mar 2005 -- Iran's population of some 69 million people is ethnically and religiously diverse. But successive Iranian governments, whether theocratic or monarchic, have stressed the Persian nature of the state and tried to eliminate minority interests by emphasizing linguistic, religious, and cultural unity. It is noteworthy, therefore, that candidates campaigning before the 17 June presidential election are pandering to minority groups.
  • Khatami says nuclear technology right of all nations (2) IRNA 31 Mar 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami continuing with his press conference attended by domestic and foreign reporters said here Wednesday that Iran is ready to discuss its nuclear activities with world.
  • Khatami says peaceful nuclear technology right of all nations (1) IRNA 31 Mar 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami said here Wednesday that access to peaceful nuclear technology is the right of all nations which strive to progress in science, and technology and achive economic development.
  • U.S./IRAN NUCLEAR VOA 30 Mar 2005 -- The United States Wednesday dismissed as theatrical Iran's media tour of its Natanz nuclear facility. The State Department said if Iran wants to put to rest concerns about its nuclear intentions, it should fully cooperate with U.N. inspectors and European negotiators.
  • Khatami inspects uranium enrichment complex IRNA 30 Mar 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday inspected the uranium enrichment facilities in the central city of Natanz.
  • Natanz complex achievement of Iranian experts: IAEO official IRNA 30 Mar 2005 -- The Natanz uranium enrichment complex is the achievement of Iranian experts, Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization for International and Planning Affairs Mohammad Saeedi said here Wednesday.
  • Khatami inspects Uranium Processing Plant in Isfahan IRNA 30 Mar 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday inspected the Uranium Processing Plant in Isfahan.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 13 30 Mar 2005 -- IRAN BEGINS YEAR OF 'SOLIDARITY' AND 'PARTICIPATION.' / URBAN HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS GET POLITICAL / RASHT IS PREPARED FOR THE HOLIDAYS / SOCCER GAME LEADS TO RIOTS IN IRANIAN CITIES / CONSERVATIVE FRONT-RUNNER IS EXPERIENCED AND CONNECTED... / ...THE FRONT-RUNNER'S VIEWS... / ...AN UNCOORDINATED COUNCIL / CANDIDATES CAMPAIGN DURING HOLIDAYS / KHATAMI REVIEWS HIS PERFORMANCE / IRAN PRODUCES TONS OF EXCESS POULTRY / MILITANTS IN IRAQ TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IRANIAN AMNESTY OFFER / INTERNATIONAL WATCHDOGS CONDEMN IRANIAN MEDIA PRACTICES / IRAN SAYS THERE WILL BE MORE NUCLEAR TALKS WITH EUROPE / EVIDENCE ON IRANIAN NUKE PROGRAM 'COMPELLING.' / IRAN REPORTEDLY CREATING NUCLEAR ENGINEERING FACULTY / PAKISTANI PROFESSOR CLAIMS HE PROVIDED IRAN'S CENTRIFUGE / IRAN'S MISSILE INVENTORY A 'POTENTIAL THREAT.' / AMMAN-TEHRAN RELATIONS IMPERILED / RADIO FARDA ON IRAN AND TERRORISM: REFORMERS INSIST HARD-LINERS' HISTORY OF POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS CONTINUES (PART 3). / RUSHDIE AFFAIR CONTINUES TO CLOUD TEHRAN'S CLAIMS OF REJECTING VIOLENCE (PART 4). / HALLIBURTON CONFIRMS IRAN PULLOUT
  • Analysis: Kyrgyz Developments Worry Iran, But Unlikely To Have Lasting Impact RFE/RL 29 Mar 2005 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry reacted cautiously when asked about the recent ouster of Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev, who fled from Bishkek following the storming of government offices by protesters. Spokesman Hamid Reza Assefi said Iran is monitoring developments and added, "We hope conditions in Kyrgyzstan will return to normal as soon as possible," IRNA reported on 26 March.
  • UK welcomes US support for EU negotiations with Iran IRNA 27 Mar 2005 -- The British government has welcomed the US decision to stop blocking Iran's bid to join the World Trade Organisation and ease sanctions on civilian aircraft parts but is unwilling to say whether it would participate in the gestures.
  • FM presents cabinet with report on trend of nuclear talks IRNA 27 Mar 2005 -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Sunday attended the cabinet meeting and presented a report on the latest trend of the ongoing Iran-EU3 nuclear talks.
  • Khatami urges governments to oppose proliferation of WMD IRNA 26 Mar 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami here on Saturday urged all governments and nations to oppose production and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
  • 'NUCLEAR WEAPONS STATES' FOMENT WORLD-WIDE 'DISQUIET' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 25 Mar 2005
  • Rafsanjani: 20-year development plan to top Iran's programs IRNA 25 Mar 2005 -- Tehran's interim Friday prayers leader Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said here Friday that the 20-year development plan, as highlighted by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, would be atop Iran's programs in the coming years.
  • Kharrazi: Iran-EU3 nuclear talks "hard, serious" IRNA 25 Mar 2005 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi on Friday called the Wednesday Iran-EU3 Paris talks "hard and serious".
  • Nasseri: Tehran-EU3 nuclear talks end without final accord IRNA 24 Mar 2005 -- Senior Iranian negotiator with the EU big three on Iran's peaceful nuclear program Sirous Nasseri said here Wednesday night that the talks had ended without reaching a final accord and each side maintained its own views.
  • Asefi: Paris talks "serious, complicated" but "helpful" IRNA 24 Mar 2005 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid- Reza Asefi said Thursday the Paris talks had been "serious and complicated" but "helpful."
  • SPEAKER OF UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT ON ILLEGAL SALE OF X-55 MISSILES TO IRAN AND CHINA RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2005 -- Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Vladimir Litvin calls illegal sale of X-55 missiles "an attempt to tarnish the image of Ukraine." He spoke on "direct line" with readers of the Ukrainian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.
  • AEOI envoy: Iran-EU nuclear talks to begin on Wednesday IRNA 23 Mar 2005 -- The Iran-EU nuclear talks will be held at the French Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, said Vice President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Saeedi here Tuesday.
  • Iran, Europe resume nuclear talks IRNA 23 Mar 2005 -- Iran and European negotiators resumed talks at senior experts level at the French Foreign Ministry on Wednesday morning.
  • Iran 'prepared to opt out of NPT, if necessary,' says professor IRNA 23 Mar 2005 -- Iran is prepared for a possible showdown at the UN and even withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if it proves necessary to continue its right to develop a nuclear fuel cycle, according to an Iranian specialist.
  • Iran-EU resume talks behind closed doors IRNA 23 Mar 2005 -- The Iran-EU nuclear talks starting at French Foreign Ministry in Paris behind closed doors on Wednesday continue.
  • IRAN / NUCLEAR VOA 23 Mar 2005 -- Iranian and European Union negotiators have begun talks in Paris in hopes of reaching an agreement that will quiet U.S. and European concerns that Tehran is involved in a secret nuclear weapons program.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 12 23 Mar 2005 -- ASSEMBLY OF EXPERTS CONSIDERS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION / PREELECTION POLL PREDICTS TWO-ROUND ELECTION / FORMER PRESIDENT STILL NONCOMMITTAL / POLICE CHIEF CONTEMPLATES PRESIDENTIAL RUN / REFORMISTS CONSIDER PRESIDENTIAL OPTIONS / 'CONVERGENCE' IMPORTANT IN IRANIAN POLITICS / STUDENTS, TEACHERS, WORKERS STAGE PROTESTS / SCHOLARS VIEW DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS IN IRAN / KHATAMI CONCLUDES THREE-STATE TOUR / TEHRAN CONSIDERS WOLFOWITZ WORLD BANK NOMINATION / RADIO FARDA ON IRAN AND TERRORISM / IRAN-PAKISTAN-INDIA PIPELINE IMPERILED / IRAN WANTS STABLE OIL-PRODUCTION QUOTAS
  • Iranian gov't, nation firm for peaceful use of nuclear energy IRNA 22 Mar 2005 -- Iranian government and nation have made their minds to pave the way for peaceful use of nuclear technology despite all restrictions and problems, said an Iranian nuclear official here on Tuesday.
  • IRAN-EU: HARD, BUT NECESSARY DIALOG RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2005 -- On Wednesday, Iran, Britain, France and Germany will hold another round of talks to resolve the situation around Iranian nuclear programs.
  • Iran Reaffirms Intention to Pursue Nuclear Electricity VOA News 22 Mar 2005 -- An Iranian official has told a Paris conference on atomic energy that the generation of nuclear electricity remains Tehran's prime nuclear priority.
  • RUSSIA'S TOP NUCLEAR ENERGY OFFICIAL DESCRIBES ACCUSATIONS AGAINST IRAN AS UNFOUNDED RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2005 -- Alexander Rumyantsev, Director of the Russian Federal Agency for Nuclear Energy, does not think there is any valid evidence to prove that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program. Mr Rumyantsev is currently in Paris, attending the international conference "Atomic Energy for the 21st Century."
  • Nuclear cycle solution must not be Iran specific, says ElBaradei IRNA 18 Mar 2005 -- Iran must not be singled out in any resolution of the dilemma over the right of countries to enrich uranium under the Non-Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT), according to the head of the world's nuclear watchdog.
  • Iran not seeking WMD: Asefi IRNA 19 Mar 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here Saturday that as the Islamic Republic has repeatedly announced Iran is not seeking weapons of mass destruction.
  • Ukrainian Official Says Missiles Exported To Iran, China RFE/RL 18 Mar 2005 -- Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Svyatoslav Piskun is quoted as saying Ukraine exported 12 cruise missiles to Iran and six to China in 2001.
  • RUSSIA AGAINST BIAS IN ASSESSING IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2005 -- Russia is interested in the objective assessment of Iran's activities in the nuclear field.
  • Khatami says uranium suspension predicated on continuation of talks IRNA 17 Mar 2005 -- President Khatami speaking here Wednesday night to large contingent of domestic and foreign reporters responded to a question on US president Bush requests on complete cessation of uranium enrichment by Iran said "our request from Bush is to halt the misguided policies vis-a-vie Iran and the region."
  • Analysis: Converging Policies On Iran RFE/RL 17 Mar 2005 -- After two years of often frustrating negotiations over Iran's alleged nuclear weapons ambitions, the United States and the European Union have pursued divergent policies. In recent weeks, however, Washington and Brussels have been reading from the same script.
  • BUSH / LEBANON / IRAN VOA 16 Mar 2005 -- President Bush reaffirmed his belief in the importance of a free Lebanon Wednesday during talks with the Patriarch of the Maronite Church, Nasrallah Sfeir. Mr. Bush used the occasion to once again urge a complete Syrian withdrawal.
  • Iran not to admit permanent enrichment suspension at any cost IRNA 16 Mar 2005 -- Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani here on Tuesday said that Iran will not admit permanent suspension of uranium enrichment at any cost.
  • Germany to review 1974 nuclear cooperation accord with Iran IRNA 16 Mar 2005 -- The German government is currently reviewing whether it wants to continue its peaceful nuclear cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the daily Frankfurter Rundschau reported Wednesday.
  • Hoon unaware of US reconnaissance missions in Iran IRNA 15 Mar 2005 -- Britain's Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon denied Tuesday that he was aware of any US reconnaissance missions inside Iran.
  • Iran will make `another decision' if talks bears no results: FM IRNA 15 Mar 2005 -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Tuesday said Iran will make another decision if the report by the steering committee on Iran-Europe nuclear talks entails no positive results.
  • Kharrazi: No economic incentive can replace Iran's legal right IRNA 15 Mar 2005 -- No incentive can replace Iran's legal right to use nuclear technology, said Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi at a press conference here Tuesday.
  • Younessi: All Iranians determined to gain access to nuclear technology IRNA 15 Mar 2005 -- Information Minister Ali Younessi said here Tuesday that all Iranians are determined to gain access to nuclear technology and consider the move as a national issue.
  • Rice says US will not give green light to Israel to attack Iran IRNA 14 Mar 2005 -- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said here Sunday that Washington will not give green light to Israel to attack iran.
  • US SHOULD NOT TAKE PART IN EU-IRANIAN TALKS, ASSEFI SAYS RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2005 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesman Hamid Reza Assefi believes that the United States should not take part in Iranian-EU talks concerning Iran's nuclear programs.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 11 14 Mar 2005 -- IRAN AND EU-3 PURSUE TALKS, ISSUE REMAINS URANIUM ENRICHMENT / / PAKISTANI SCIENTIST SUPPLIED CENTRIFUGES TO IRAN / IRANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS BALKANS, VENEZUELA / DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER GOES TO DAMASCUS / IRAQ REOPENS FRONTIER POST / IRANIAN WORKERS, STUDENTS RESTLESS / IRANIAN JUDICIARY CHIEF SUGGESTS DAILIES STAY OPEN... / ...AS HIGH COURT LIFTS BAN ON REFORMIST DAILY / APPEALS COURT ORDERS DISSIDENT FREED... / ...BUT PROVINCIAL COURT JAILS 200 FOR POSTELECTION RIOT / FORMER IRANIAN PRESIDENT NOT SURE IF HE WILL RUN AGAIN / RIGHTS BODY TAKING MUNICIPALITY TO COURT
  • Iran Facing "United Front" on Nuclear Weapons, Rice Says Washington File 13 Mar 2005 -- The United States and its European allies have developed a unified position in opposition to Iranian development of nuclear weapons, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says.
  • Iran rejects any deal on suspending uranium enrichment IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- Head of Iran Technical-Nuclear group in negotiations with the European Trio Sirous Nasseri said here Saturday that the issue in discussions is not suspension of nuclear enrichment and fuel cycle.
  • Khatami: Enrichment suspension will continue as long as Iran-EU talks continue IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami of Iran here on Saturday afternoon once again stressed Iran's legitimate right to pursue nuclear technology and reiterated that uranium enrichment suspension will continue as long as Iran-EU negotiations continue.
  • Iran not concerned if nuclear case sent to UNSC: Asefi IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi here Sunday said Iran is not concerned over the possible referral of its nuclear case to the UN Security Council.
  • Access to nuclear weapons not within Iran's defense policies: Asefi IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi here Sunday said access to nuclear weapons has no place in Iran's defense policies.
  • Trial of Iran's nuclear spies pending : intelligence minister IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- Iran's Intelligence Minister Ali Younesi said Sunday his ministry had completed its probe into the case of several arrested nuclear spies and submitted its findings to the court for trial.
  • US participation in Iran-EU talks to be destructive - diplomat IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- The US participation in negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program would be destructive, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
  • France approves Russia's decision to return N-waste from Iran IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- Russia's decision to supply Iran with nuclear fuel, simultaneously controlling its return after work in reactors 'is a very strong initiative'.
  • Iran not to develop nuclear arms, but to create nuclear technology IRNA 13 Mar 2005 -- Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, but will continue creating nuclear technology, despite the pressure of Europe and the United States, said Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on Saturday.
  • US decides to join EU-proposed incentives for Iran IRNA 12 Mar 2005 -- The United States said it will join the European Union in offering economic incentives to Iran to support the ongoing European negotiations to end Tehran's nuclear weapons program, reversing its hard-line stance to underline its recent commitment to a diplomatic solution.
  • Iran not ignoring US role in nuclear talks, Mohammadi IRNA 12 Mar 2005 -- Vice-Chairman of Majlis Commission on National Security and Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Mohammadi said on Saturday that Iran does not ignore US role in its talks with the European Union (EU).
  • Russia says Rice's statements on Iran "positive" IRNA 12 Mar 2005 -- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander akuvenku termed here Saturday Condoleezza Rice statements on Iran as "positive," Russian Foreign ministry internet site said.
  • PAKISTAN / IRAN NUKES VOA 14 Mar 2005 -- Pakistan is denying reports that the U.N. nuclear agency has asked it to submit sample centrifuges as part of an investigation into Pakistan's illicit nuclear sales to Iran.
  • US / IRAN VOA 13 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration says there has been no fundamental shift in policy regarding Iran's nuclear program - only a renewed emphasis on the diplomatic track pursued by European nations.
  • U.S. Not Discouraged By Iranian Incentives Rejection RFE/RL 13 Mar 2005 -- A White House official says the United States is not discouraged by Iran's rejection of an American offer of economic incentives if Iran gives up efforts to enrich uranium.
  • Iran Says Ambiguities Still Persist On Crucial Issues RFE/RL 12 Mar 2005 -- The head of Iran's team negotiating with European Union states says that a number of central issues on Iran's nuclear program remain unresolved.
  • Iran Snubs U.S. Nukes Incentives RFE/RL 12 Mar 2005 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has said Tehran is determined to continue its nuclear program despite incentives offered by the United States and the EU.
  • US / IRAN NUCLEAR VOA 11 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration, in a policy shift, says it will offer economic incentives to Iran to back the European effort to get Tehran to abandon any effort to build nuclear weapons. The Europeans say they will support referral of the matter to the U.N. Security Council if their diplomacy fails.
  • Pakistan Opposition Halts Parliament Over Iran Nuclear Controversy VOA News 11 Mar 2005 -- Pakistan's political opposition stormed out of parliament Friday over government statements that a top Pakistani nuclear scientist provided Iran with centrifuges.
  • Iran, EU troika extend nuclear talks for yet another day IRNA 11 Mar 2005 -- Iran and the European Union troika will continue talks over Iran`s nuclear energy program on Friday with the negotiations expected to be focused on technical issues.
  • Khatami: Israel owns largest nuclear arsenal IRNA 11 Mar 2005 -- Before leaving Sarajevo for Caracas on Thursday evening, President Seyed Mohammad Khatami said that today the Middle East region`s greatest nuclear arsenal is owned by Israel.
  • Fourth round of Iran-EU talks concludes in Geneva without tangible progress IRNA 11 Mar 2005 -- Representatives of the IR of Iran and the EU troika (Germany, France, Britain) concluded their fourth round of breath-taking talks earlier Friday evening in Geneva, Switzerland, having achieved no further progress compared to the 3rd round.
  • U.S. Actively Supports European Diplomatic Efforts with Iran Washington File 11 Mar 2005 -- In order to support the diplomatic efforts of the European Union 3 (EU-3) with Iran, the United States will drop its objection to Iran's application to join the World Trade Organization "and will consider, on a case-by-case basis, the licensing of spare-parts for Iranian civilian aircraft, in particular from the EU to Iran," says U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
  • Bush Extends National Emergency with Respect to Iran Washington File 11 Mar 2005 -- President Bush has extended the United States' national emergency with respect to Iran because of that country's continued support for terrorism, its efforts to undermine the Middle East peace process and its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction.
  • Iran Incentives Are U.S. Expression of Support For Europeans Washington File 11 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration's decision not to oppose Iran's application to join the World Trade Organization and to allow the transfer of spare aircraft parts are designed to further European negotiations with Iran to convince it to permanently give up its nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities, according to a senior Bush administration official.
  • EU / IRAN VOA 11 Mar 2005 -- Britain, France and Germany say they will support referring Iran to the Security Council if there is no agreement on its nuclear program. However, they still hold out hope for a diplomatic solution after several months of talks.
  • Iran: Reports Say U.S., Europeans Agree On Joint Nuclear Strategy RFE/RL 11 Mar 2005 -- Reports say the United States and Europe have agreed on a joint approach to Iran's suspected nuclear arms program. "The New York Times" and "The Washington Post" -- citing unidentified government officials -- say Washington has agreed to offer Iran economic incentives, while Europe has agreed to take concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions to the UN Security Council if talks fail. An announcement is expected as soon as 11 March by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
  • IRAN CAUTIOUSLY CONTINUES DIALOG WITH EUROPE RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2005 -- Iran will continue talks with the European Union regarding its nuclear programs, provided the Paris agreements reached late last year are observed, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rouhani said.
  • EU-3 Say Iran To Be Referred To UN If Resumes Enrichment RFE/RL 11 Mar 2005 -- Great Britain, France, and Germany, said today they will support referring Iran to the UN Security Council if it resumes uranium enrichment or breaches nuclear commitments.
  • Iran: Difficult Relations With U.S. Marked By Mutual Distrust (Part 1) RFE/RL 11 Mar 2005 -- Iran has made great strides in recent years in rebuilding bridges to Europe and Asia after the tumultuous early years of the Islamic Revolution. Those years saw the new Islamic regime seeking to export its revolutionary values abroad and assassinating opponents. The early excesses led many countries to regard the Islamic Republic as a rogue state and to try to isolate it politically and economically.
  • Iran: U.S. Accuses Tehran Of Extending Its Support For Mideast Terrorist Groups (Part 2) RFE/RL 11 Mar 2005 -- To back up its charges that Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, the United States cites evidence it says proves that Tehran provides financial and possibly some weaponry to militant groups in the Mideast opposed to Israel. These militant groups -- including Lebanon's Hizballah and radical Palestinian Islamic groups like Hamas -- have previously carried out or continue to carry out attacks that kill civilians as part of their conflict with the Jewish state.
  • Iran: Reformers Insist Hard-Liners' History Of Political Assassinations Continues (Part 3) RFE/RL 11 Mar 2005 -- Revolutions consume their children. That maxim was arguably as true of the Islamic Revolution at its outset as it was of the French Revolution. But as the Islamic Republic has matured over the past 26 years, the fierce political jockeying and violence of its early period has largely been forgotten. Instead, Iran appears today to provide some room for political differences within the limits of its theocratic system. Those differences are expressed in parliamentary struggles that are often characterized as showdowns between hard-liners and reformists -- that is, those who brook little change in the existing system and those who seek to reform it from within.
  • Iran: Rushdie Affair Continues To Cloud Tehran's Claims Of Rejecting Violence (Part 4) RFE/RL 11 Mar 2005 -- As the United States accuses Iran of state support for terrorism, and Tehran adamantly denies the charge, it can be difficult to judge the merits of each side's arguments. Many of the actions fueling the debate have taken place in an atmosphere of extreme secrecy and with few publicly known details.
  • Iran-Syria cooperation not of military nature - deputy FM IRNA 10 Mar 2005 -- Iran-Syria cooperation had no military or security nature and was only for strengthening the public resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, Iran`s visiting Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmad Azizi said here on Wednesday.
  • Iran`s nuclear pointsman says talks with Europeans `successful` IRNA 10 Mar 2005 -- Iran`s pointsman on nuclear issues, Hassan Rowhani, gave his weight Thursday to ongoing nuclear negotiations between the country and the Europeans, describing the talks as `successful`.
  • Parliamentary speaker says Iran does not accept suspension of Uranium enrichment IRNA 10 Mar 2005 -- Majlis Speaker Qolam Ali Haddad Adel said here Thursday that the knowledge of uranium enrichment which has been achieved by Iranian scientists confirms to and is within the framework of international laws.
  • Iran and EU to wrap up nuclear talks Thursday night IRNA 10 Mar 2005 -- Negotiators from Iran and the European Union huddled behind closed doors here Thursday for a new round of haggling over Tehran`s nuclear program, but remained tight-lipped over the results.
  • IAEA HAS NO EVIDENCE OF IRAN'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS RIA Novosti 10 Mar 2005 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has no proofs that Iran is using its nuclear power program for non-peaceful purposes, Yury Sokolov, IAEA deputy director-general told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
  • PAKISTAN/IRAN/NUCLEAR VOA 10 Mar 2005 -- Pakistan has acknowledged that the founder of its nuclear program illegally gave centrifuges to Iran that can be used to process uranium for nuclear weapons.
  • BUSH/EUROPE/IRAN VOA 09 Mar 2005 -- President Bush recently concluded a trip to Europe aimed at improving relations between the two sides strained over differences on the Iraq war. While the trip helped mend fences, some contentious issues still remain.
  • Iran capable of repairing planes, helicopters IRNA 09 Mar 2005 -- Iran is now capable of repairing planes and helicopters, Director of the Aviation Industries Department of the Defense Ministry Hossein Alaie told IRNA here on Wednesday.
  • Asefi terms Bush`s anti-Iran claims as "distortion of realities" IRNA 09 Mar 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi on Wednesday ruled out the US President George W. Bush`s anti-Iran claims, calling them "distortion of realities and disinformation campaign."
  • American Intelligence on Iran nuclear program inadequate, NY Times IRNA 09 Mar 2005 -- commission due to report to President Bush this month will describe American intelligence on Iran as inadequate to allow firm judgments about Iran`s nuclear program, New York Times said on Wednesday.
  • Iran Tells EU To Back Down At Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 09 Mar 2005 -- Iranian officials today threatened to break off negotiations with a trio of European Union countries if the Europeans continue to insist that Tehran abandon all sensitive nuclear activities.
  • Rowhani: US should not terrify world, Iran not after nuclear arms IRNA 08 Mar 2005 -- Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani stressed that Iran is not after developing nuclear arms and mass killing weapons and recommended the US not to terrify the world with hollow allegations.
  • Iran hardens stance ahead of nuclear negotiations IRNA 08 Mar 2005 -- Iran pledged Tuesday to `strongly stand against` probable pressures as the country braced for a new round of nuclear negotiations with the Europeans, which a senior official described as `very decisive`.
  • Iran, EU start latest round of Talks on nuclear dispute IRNA 08 Mar 2005 -- Diplomats from Iran and the European Union started latest round of negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday to reach an understanding on Iranian program to use nuclear energy for generating electricity.
  • Pakistan, Iran to conduct joint naval exercises IRNA 08 Mar 2005 -- Pakistan and Iran, who enjoy long-standing brotherly relations, will carry out joint naval exercises aimed at further strengthening ties between the navies of the two countries, it was officially announced on Tuesday.
  • DESPITE NEGOTIATIONS, IRAN'S 'NUCLEAR AMBITIONS' ARE 'WORRISOME' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 07 Mar 2005
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 10 07 Mar 2005 -- ETHNICITY BECOMING FACTOR IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION / REFORMISTS BEGIN CAMPAIGNING / NEW REFORMIST FRONT BEING CONSIDERED IN IRAN / LEGISLATURE LACKS QUORUM / GUARDIANS COUNCIL SECRETARY ALLEGES LEGISLATURE STINKS / PROVINCIAL LAND DISPUTE ENDS VIOLENTLY / TEHRAN PLEDGES EARTHQUAKE AND SNOW RELIEF FUNDS / CREATION OF NEW PROVINCE UNDER CONSIDERATION / FUEL SMUGGLERS ARRESTED / IRAN TO HAVE A SPACE COUNCIL / NOBEL LAUREATE DOES NOT ATTEND TRIAL / PRESS COMMUNITY ENCOUNTERS LEGAL CONFUSION / BLOGGERS GET JAIL SENTENCES / CHRISTIAN SENTENCED TO PRISON / STATE DEPARTMENT CRITICAL OF IRANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD / RUSSIA-IRAN FUEL DEAL WORRIES U.S. SENATOR / REVELATIONS ABOUT IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM PRECEDE IAEA MEETING / IRAN STRESSES RIGHT TO PEACEFUL NUKE ACTIVITIES... / ...AS IAEA CALLS FOR IRANIAN COOPERATION... / ...AND WASHINGTON EXPRESSES CONCERN / TEHRAN DENIES COOPERATING WITH U.S. IN IRAQ / POSSIBLE U.S. BASING IN AFGHANISTAN WORRIES IRAN / IRAN MAIN TRANSIT COUNTRY FOR AFGHAN OPIATES / REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS AGENT PLANNED TO ASSASSINATE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT / INDIA-PAKISTAN-IRAN GAS PIPELINE NEARING FRUITION
  • Tehran not satisfied with EU talks: Rafsanjani IRNA 07 Mar 2005 -- Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani here on Sunday evening said Tehran is not satisfied with the trend of talks with the European states since they have not met Iran`s expectations so far.
  • Iran will not abandon peaceful use of nuclear technology - Rafsanjani IRNA 07 Mar 2005 -- Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said here Sunday evening that Tehran would, definitely, not abandon its peaceful use of nuclear technology.
  • Senior Iranian MP warns Europeans on enrichment demands IRNA 07 Mar 2005 -- A senior parliamentary official warned the Europeans Monday to drop asking Iran to permanently suspend uranium enrichment or see ongoing nuclear negotiations scrapped.
  • IRAN CRITICIZES U.S. FOR FAILING TO OBSERVE NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2005 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi has criticized the U.S. for failing to observe the provisions of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
  • Iranian Navy ships leave Karachi port for home IRNA 05 Mar 2005 -- Two Iranian Navy ships, Bandar Abbas and Larak, Saturday left for home after staying at Karachi port for five days.
  • Aqazadeh: Getting access to nuclear technology, unavoidable IRNA 05 Mar 2005 -- Head of Iran`s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Gholamreza Aqazadeh said here Saturday that gaining access to the nuclear technology and developing its related knowledge are unavoidable for continuation of human life.
  • Iran will make no deal on uranium enrichment: Rowhani IRNA 05 Mar 2005 -- Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani said here Saturday that Iran will make no deal on uranium enrichment.
  • Rowhani complains about slow pace of talks with Europeans IRNA 05 Mar 2005 -- The nuclear talks with the Europeans are going ahead slowly contrary to Iran`s expectations, said the senior nuclear official Hassan Rowhani on Saturday.
  • Iran to go on with diplomacy for right to use peaceful atom IRNA 05 Mar 2005 -- Iran will abandon its efforts for confidence building measures if the Iranian nuclear files go to the United Nations Security Council, Hassan Rowhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said on Saturday.
  • Iran casts doubts on Europe`s ability to carry out nuclear obligations IRNA 05 Mar 2005 -- Head of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council`s (SNSC) Foreign Policy Commission cast doubt here Saturday over Europe`s capabilities to carry out its commitments of the nuclear deal with Iran.
  • Iran Says It Will Not Abandon Nuclear Program VOA News 05 Mar 2005 -- Iran's top nuclear official says his country will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, and that the Middle East could become even more unstable if Tehran is referred to the United Nations Security Council for its nuclear activities.
  • Entire Bushehr project under IAEA control, says Russian IRNA 03 Mar 2005 -- Iran`s nuclear reactor in Bushehr poses no risks to peace in the Middle East and Moscow has received no protests from the west about its assistance on the project, says Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.
  • IRAN / NUCLEAR VOA 04 Mar 2005 -- Iran, France, Germany and Britain head back to the negotiating table next week -- with the Europeans set to press Tehran to reach an agreement on its nuclear program. The United States is not scheduled to take part in the talks, but backs European efforts to reach a long-term solution. The U.S. government says it is Iran's responsibility to prove to the world that it doesn't have nuclear weapons capabilities.
  • Rafsanjani hopes Iran`s nuclear case be considered in a rational atmosphere IRNA 04 Mar 2005 -- Prayers Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani here Friday expressed the hope that rationality and logic would replace a tendency towards monopoly, pride and discrimination in examination of Iran`s nuclear case.
  • NUCLEAR/IRAN VOA 04 Mar 2005 -- Western diplomats close to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran has started to build deep tunnels to store nuclear material at a site where it is known to have carried out uranium enrichment activities. The disclosure comes as the United States is considering whether to back an approach by three European countries aimed at getting Iran to dismantle its suspected nuclear weapons program by offering commercial incentives to the Islamic Republic.
  • BUSH / IRAN VOA 03 Mar 2005 -- The U.N. atomic energy agency says Iran must do more to cooperate with inspectors evaluating the extent and intent of the country's nuclear program. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, President Bush says he is working with European allies to convince Iran to give up its nuclear enrichment program.
  • Ball in Iran's court to come clean on nuclear programme - IAEA UN News Centre 03 Mar 2005 -- Declaring that "the ball is very much in Iran's court," the United Nations agency entrusted with curbing the spread of nuclear weapons has again called on Tehran to show greater openness to assure the world that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
  • RUSSIA OPPOSES IRANIAN NUCLEAR-FUEL CYCLE RIA Novosti 03 Mar 2005 -- While speaking at a recent RIA Novosti press conference, Alexander Rumyantsev, the director of the Federal Agency for Nuclear Power (Rosatom), said, "As the Iranians are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, there is nothing that can prevent them from developing their own nuclear-fuel cycle. We advise not to do this, though, as it is economically impractical."
  • Novovoronezh center trains 650 specialists for Bushehr NPP IRNA 02 Mar 2005 -- The Novovoronezh center of the Russian Rosenergoatom Atomic Energy Concern has trained 650 specialists for the Bushehr nuclear power plant of Iran, a representative of the Atomic Energy of Iran Organization in Voronezh told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.
  • Russia`s chances of building more n-plants in Iran high IRNA 02 Mar 2005 -- Russia`s chances of winning contracts to build more nuclear power plants in Iran are rather high, Russian ambassador in Tehran, Alexander Maryasov has told Tass.
  • Bushehr gives Russia chances to build more stations in Iran IRNA 02 Mar 2005 -- Russia has rather good chances to build more nuclear power plants in Iran, Russian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Iran Alexander Maryasov told Itar-Tass.
  • Russia-Iran interaction doesn`t threaten non-proliferation: Lavrov IRNA 02 Mar 2005 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday Moscow`s interaction with Tehran in building the nuclear power plant in Bushehr does not pose a threat to the regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
  • Iran criticizes IAEA for reading verification report in Board of Governor`s session IRNA 02 Mar 2005 -- An Iranian atomic energy official described the act of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) deputy in reading verification report on Iran`s nuclear activities in the Board of Governors meeting as an `unusual` measure.
  • Khatami: Karoun-3 project a source of pride for country IRNA 02 Mar 2005 -- President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday described the Karoun-3 project as a source of pride for the country in terms of engineering and developmental achievement.
  • OIC underlines Iran`s right to peaceful nuclear technology IRNA 02 Mar 2005 -- The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) underlines the right of the Islamic member states including Iran to make use of peaceful nuclear technology, said the organization`s Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu here on Wednesday.
  • Iran Deceives International Nuclear Inspectors, U.S. Says Washington File 02 Mar 2005 -- The United States has accused Iran of concealing its nuclear activities from international inspectors trying to determine whether Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
  • IAEA FOUND NO SUSPICIOUS HARDWARE IN IRAN RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2005 -- Inspection of Iranian nuclear installations produced no suspicious hardware.
  • IRAN SHOULD NOT RESUME URANIUM-ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, LAVROV SAYS RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2005 -- Russia does not want Iran to resume its uranium-enrichment programs, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday.
  • IAEA ENDORSES AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND RUSSIA ON RETURN OF NUCLEAR FUEL RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2005 -- A treaty between Russia and Iran on the return of spent nuclear fuel, signed on Sunday in Tehran, is of positive significance, an informed source in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a RIA Novosti interview in Vienna. He is attending a session of the IAEA board of governors.
  • UN Nuclear Agency Official Critical Of Iran Cooperation RFE/RL 02 Mar 2005 -- An official of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency says Iran has refused to cooperate in some areas with UN experts investigating possible atomic weapons work in the Islamic Republic.
  • US / SYRIA / IRAN VOA 01 Mar 2005 -- The general who commands all U.S. military operations in the Middle East has accused Iran and Syria of continuing to contribute to the problems in Iraq by facilitating the insurgency and meddling in Iraqi politics.
  • RF develops close ties with EU over Iran nuke standoff - FM IRNA 01 Mar 2005 -- Russia established very close cooperation with the EU troika to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran`s nuclear program and the compliance with the IAEA Board of Governors resolution, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
  • EU, RF agree Iran should comply with NPT protocol IRNA 01 Mar 2005 -- The EU and Russia are convinced that Iran should comply with the protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said.
  • Kharrazi: Europe could not embark on force when talking to powerful Iran IRNA 01 Mar 2005 -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is now a powerful country because of its access to nuclear technology and stressed that Europeans themselves realize that they could not embark on force when talking to Iran.
  • Iran denies UN nuclear watchdog a second visit to military complex UN News Centre 01 Mar 2005 -- Iran has turned down a request by the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency to make a second visit to the Parchin military site, which has been linked in allegations to nuclear weapons testing, a senior agency official said today.
  • Analysis: Abundance Of Candidates In Iranian Presidential Race RFE/RL 01 Mar 2005 -- With only four months before Iran's next presidential election, it still is not clear who will compete in the race. Five men have said they want to be the main conservative candidate and one of them has said he would even run as an independent; two men have announced their interest in being the reformist candidate; and a couple of others have expressed an interest in competing but seem to have no significant support. A few more names are mentioned as possible candidates, but these individuals have not made a commitment yet. This plethora of candidates and the accompanying indecision has led to speculation that there will be no clear victor on election day on 17 June, and there will be a second round to determine the next president.
  • Bush Considers Options On Iran Nuclear Policy RFE/RL 01 Mar 2005 -- The White House says President George W. Bush is considering different options to persuade Iran to end any ambitions to develop nuclear weapons.
  • IAEA Head Says Iran Must Do More RFE/RL 01 Mar 2005 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said Iran must do more to assist the agency's investigation of its nuclear activities.
  • RFE/RL Iran Report, Volume 8, Number 9 01 Mar 2005 -- IRANIANS CONTEND WITH STRONG EARTHQUAKE / ABUNDANCE OF FACTIONS AND CANDIDATES COULD LEAD TO TWO-ROUND ELECTION... / ...RIGHT-WING FACTIONS... / ...AND NEW CONFIGURATIONS / RADIO FARDA ON DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS -- CALL FOR A REFERENDUM: THREE PERSPECTIVES ON AN INITIATIVE FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN IRANIANS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IRAN / BUSH VOICES CONCERNS ABOUT IRAN / IRANIAN PROLIFERATION CENTRAL TO BUSH-PUTIN SUMMIT / TEHRAN CONSIDERS U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN NEGOTIATIONS



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