March 2010 - Iran Special Weapons News

As Regime Turns Up The Heat, Iran's Rafsanjani Abides RFE/RL 31 Mar 2010 -- Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is one of the most powerful men in Iran.
Obama Says He Wants Iran Sanctions 'In Weeks' RFE/RL 31 Mar 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he wants to see a tough new round of sanctions against Iran taken up by the UN Security Council "within weeks."
Obama would like to see UN sanctions against Iran "in weeks" RIA Novosti 31 Mar 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday he would like to see international sanctions imposed on Iran as soon as possible.
Obama, Sarkozy Commit to Strong Sanctions Against Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have held wide-ranging talks at the White House on subjects including global economic recovery, efforts to impose tough international sanctions on Iran over its nuclear ambitions, and the situation in Afghanistan.
G8 Foreign Ministers Back 'Strong Steps' on Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- Foreign ministers of the leading industrial powers and Russia discussed nuclear non-proliferation and Iran Tuesday at a meeting near the Canadian capital, Ottawa. The ministers, preparing for the annual G8 summit in Canada in late June, are urging "strong steps" to curb Iran's nuclear program.
Obama, French President Sarkozy Reaffirm Ties, Unity on Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he and the French president have reaffirmed the ties between their countries, and said the two nations and their allies are united in their determination to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
IAEA boss opposes new sanctions against Iran IRNA 30 Mar 2010 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano expressed his opposition to western plans for imposing new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear policy.
Clinton: China To Play Role In Iran Sanctions Push RFE/RL 30 Mar 2010 -- Foreign ministers of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations are meeting in Canada for talks focusing on Iran's nuclear program.
France's Sarkozy and UN chief Ban Ki-moon discuss Iranian nuke issue RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon discussed the controversial Iranian nuclear program during talks in the UN headquarters, the United Nations press service said.
G8 Foreign Ministers Back 'Strong Steps' on Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- Foreign ministers of the leading industrial powers and Russia discussed nuclear non-proliferation and Iran Tuesday at a meeting near the Canadian capital, Ottawa. The ministers, preparing for the annual G8 summit in Canada in late June, are urging "strong steps" to curb Iran's nuclear program.
China to Play Active Role in Iran Sanctions Debate VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says China is growing more receptive to the idea of taking punitive action against Iran for its nuclear ambitions.
Mihman-Parast: No one should interfere in Iraq’s election IRNA 29 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mihman-Parast said on Monday that Iraq’s parliamentary election is a national issue in which no one should interfere.
Iran not to halt peaceful nuclear activities: official IRNA 29 Mar 2010 -- First Vice- Speaker of Iran’s Majlis Mohammad-Hassan Abutorabi-Fard said Monday Tehran will continue its programs to gain access to peaceful nuclear technology.
Sanctions against Iran should not be basis for use of force - Lavrov RIA Novosti 28 Mar 2010 -- Possible harsher sanctions against Iran should not pave the way for future military actions against the Islamic Republic, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Report: Iran Suspected Of Planning New Nuclear Sites RFE/RL 28 Mar 2010 -- The New York Times reports Tehran may be planning to build more uranium enrichment sites, defying international demands.
Sanctions against Iran possible, but 'not optimal' - Medvedev RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has reiterated that fresh sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program are possible, but "not optimal," the Kremlin press service said on Saturday.
Official: US Not 'Watering Down' Terms for Iran Sanctions Resolution VOA 26 Mar 2010 -- The Obama administration Friday rejected suggestions that it is watering down its terms for new U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, in order to win Russian and Chinese support for a new resolution. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will discuss the issue with fellow foreign ministers of the big-power G-8 grouping next week in Canada.
Nesterenko: Bushehr NPP to be operational based on schedule IRNA 25 Mar 2010 -- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said here on Thursday that Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant will come on stream based on schedule.
Moscow favors diplomacy over Iran nuclear issue IRNA 25 Mar 2010 -- Russia has called for diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue.
Iran Considers Cutting Subsidies, But At What Cost? RFE/RL 25 Mar 2010 -- A recent pronouncement by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appears to have settled a long-standing row between President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's government and parliament on how to reduce and gradually eliminate government subsidies of basic goods and services.
China Joins Talks On Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 25 Mar 2010 -- China has taken part in a conference call with five other world powers to discuss a U.S. proposal for a fourth round of United Nations sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program -- but no deal has yet emerged.
Ahmadinejad: West Making 'Fuss' About Iran Nuclear Program VOA 25 Mar 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has again dismissed concerns about Iran's controversial nuclear program -- accusing Western countries of making, in his words, a "fuss" about the issue.
Six Major Powers Hold Conference on Possible Iran Sanctions VOA 24 Mar 2010 -- Britain's U.N. ambassador says senior officials of the six major powers held a conference call Wednesday on possible new U.N. sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program.
U.S. Issues New Warning On Travel To Iran RFE/RL 24 Mar 2010 -- The Obama administration has warned U.S. citizens about traveling to Iran, saying they could face hostility, harassment, or arrest by Iranian authorities.
Iranian official dismisses Obama's offer of dialogue as sham RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2010 -- A senior Iranian official has slammed President Barack Obama offer of engagement with Tehran, the Ilna news agency reported on Wednesday.
China calls for more diplomatic efforts on Iran nuclear issue IRNA 23 Mar 2010 -- China on Tuesday again called for more diplomatic efforts to pursue proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
Iran Frees Rafsanjani Grandson On Bail RFE/RL 23 Mar 2010 -- Iran has released a grandson of former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani after he expressed "regret" for taking part in postelection protests, according to a semiofficial news agency.
Clinton Says Iran Sanctions 'Will Bite' RFE/RL 22 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told an influential pro-Israel lobbying group that she's optimistic the UN Security Council will approve sanctions against Iran that will be strong enough to make it finally disclose the scope of its nuclear program.
Clinton urges united effort against Iran nuclear program RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2010 -- A growing number of countries join the United States in applying pressure on Tehran to revert its course on developing a nuclear weapon, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday.
Medvedev does not rule out sanctions against Iran - Lavrov RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev does not rule out the possibility of imposing reasonable sanctions on Iran, the Russian foreign minister said on Friday.
Clinton Urges Russia to Delay Launch of Iran's Nuclear Power Plant VOA 18 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Russia for talks on a wide range of international issues, including how to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. On Thursday, she urged Russia to delay starting up the nuclear plant that it built for Iran at the port city of Bushehr.
Clinton In Moscow To Push Iran Sanctions, START Agreement RFE/RL 18 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has said that Washington and Moscow are making "substantial progress" in negotiating the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
Putin: Bushehr nuclear power plant to come on stream this summer IRNA 18 Mar 2010 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimer Putin said here on Thursday that Bushehr nuclear power plant will become operational this summer.
Riabkov: Moscow abides by its nuclear deals with Tehran IRNA 18 Mar 2010 -- Iran's deputy foreign minister held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov here on Thursday on issues of mutual interest.
Veep: New nuclear reactors to be constructed in Iran next year IRNA 18 Mar 2010 -- First Vice President announced here Wednesday new nuclear reactors will be built in Iran next year, and country would continue its path regardless of oppressor powers’ interference.
Russia still sees diplomacy resolving Iranian nuclear issue RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2010 -- Russia believes the dispute over Iran's nuclear activity can still be resolved through diplomacy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday after talks with his U.S. counterpart.
Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant to be launched this summer - Putin RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2010 -- The first reactor of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southwestern Iran should be launched this summer, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
Iran Offers to Exchange Low-Grade Uranium But on Iranian Territory VOA 17 Mar 2010 -- The head of Iran's atomic energy agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, is making a new proposal for the exchange of Tehran's low-grade uranium with the West, Wednesday, offering to carry out the exchange at once and on Iranian soil.
Iran sends 7th vessel to Aden IRNA 17 Mar 2010 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy sent Wednesday a vessel (the 7th one) to the Gulf of Aden to fight pirates and protect the country’s shipping lines from piracy.
Iran to invest $200 bln in oil and gas sector in next 5 years RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2010 -- Iran plans to invest $200 billion in its oil and gas sector over the next five years to prevent a production decline and boost refining capacity, the trade journal Upstream reported Wednesday on its web site.
U.S. reiterates its stance over Iran nuclear issue RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2010 -- The United States says it will go on pressuring Iran over its controversial nuclear issue and continue its work within the Iran Six mediators format, a U.S. Department of State official said.
China: Iran Sanctions 'Counterproductive' VOA 17 Mar 2010 -- China's new Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva says his country does not want Iran to have nuclear weapons. But he says his country is opposed to sanctions against Iran, calling them counterproductive.
West’s efforts to persuade China to support Iran sanctions ineffective: Spokesman IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said here on Tuesday that western countries’ pressure on China to support new sanctions against Iran was ineffective.
Moscow advised to seriously follow up commissioning Bushehr plant IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mihman-Parast on Tuesday advised Moscow to seriously follow up commissioning Bushehr power plant on schedule.
U.S. general doubts Iran's nuclear weapon development by yearend RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2010 -- The head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, expressed confidence on Tuesday that Iran would not have a nuclear weapon by the end of this year.
Secure Iraq would benefit the whole region: spokesman IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mihman-Parast here on Tuesday stressed that a secure and stable Iraq would benefit the whole region.
Opposition Leader: Iran 'Plagued by Despotism' VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- One of Iran's top opposition leaders has renewed his attacks on the government, saying the Islamic republic is, in his words, "plagued with despotism."
Britain FM: China Agrees to Press Iran About Nuclear Programs VOA 15 Mar 2010 -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband says Britain and China agree on the need to press Iran about its nuclear programs while also seeking engagement with Tehran.
UK Foreign Minister Pays Fence-Mending Trip to China VOA 15 Mar 2010 -- Britain Foreign Secretary David Miliband is in China on a three-day visit seeking to smooth the rift between London and Beijing, following British anger over the Copenhagen Climate talks and China's execution of Briton Akmal Shaihk.
British Foreign Secretary In China For Talks Expected To Touch On Iran RFE/RL 15 Mar 2010 -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has arrived in China for talks with Chinese leaders expected to touch on the possibility of tougher sanctions against Iran over Tehran's nuclear program.
Gates statements disclose US vicious goals in region IRNA 15 Mar 2010 -- Minister of Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Monday that the recent statements of his US counterpart have disclosed Washington’s vicious goals in the region.
Former Iranian Diplomat Explains Resignation RFE/RL 15 Mar 2010 -- A former Iranian diplomat says he resigned after 25 years working for the Foreign Ministry because he could no longer work with the government of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.
Majlis ratifies next year budget bill IRNA 14 Mar 2010 -- The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) here on Sunday concluded debate on the budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year (to start March 21) and ratified the bill.
France FM: EU Considering Unilateral Sanctions on Iran VOA 14 Mar 2010 -- France's foreign minister says European states could impose unilateral sanctions on Iran if the United Nations fails to pass its own sanctions.
Several US-backed cyber war networks against Iran are broken IRNA 13 Mar 2010 -- Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor Office in a statement said a number of organized US-backed war networks have been broken in the country and 30 people have been arrested in this concern.
Iran envoy to UN agencies in Vienna says NPT is discriminatory IRNA 13 Mar 2010 -- Iran’s permanent envoy to the United Nations organizations in Vienna, Austria, Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh said Friday that the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was discriminatory both in nature and in implementation.
Why Is Iran Releasing Some Postelection Detainees? RFE/RL 12 Mar 2010 -- The Iranian authorities in recent weeks have begun to release some of the former officials, activists, and intellectuals detained in last year's post-election unrest.
Gates: Iran Provides 'Limited' Support for Taliban VOA 11 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Thursday that Iran's support for the Taliban in Afghanistan is "pretty limited".
Gates Says Sanctions Can Work Against Iran AFPS 11 Mar 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met with leaders of the United Arab Emirates here today and discussed Afghanistan, Yemen, the elections in Iraq and bilateral military-to-military relations, but the main discussion point was Iran.
Interview: UN Envoy On Torture Says Concerned About Iran RFE/RL 11 Mar 2010 -- In the wake of the UN Human Rights Council's recent session on Iran, RFE/RL's Radio Farda correspondent Javad Kouroshy asked Manfred Nowak, the UN's special rapporteur on torture, about his attempts to visit Tehran and his efforts to make governments around the world take better care of their detainees. Nowak also discussed his hopes of seeing the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay closed.
Iran's Ahmadinejad Criticizes US Role in Afghanistan VOA 10 Mar 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized Washington with his own words, as he appeared at a news conference alongside Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.
U.S. Seeks Saudis’ Help for U.N. Sanctions on Iran AFPS 10 Mar 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates asked Saudi King Abdallah today to use his country’s influence to convince other nations to support United Nations sanctions on Iran, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said here.
Shell Ends Gas Sales to Iran VOA 10 Mar 2010 -- Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell says it is no longer selling gasoline to Iran, the latest in a growing number of oil firms to halt supplies to the Islamic Republic.
Kabul Stuck In Between U.S., Iranian 'Double Game' Accusations RFE/RL 10 Mar 2010 -- U.S. and Iranian officials have taken advantage of their time in Afghanistan recently to trade mutual accusations of duplicity in the country.
Ahmadinejad Uses Afghan Visit To Lambast Kabul's Western Allies RFE/RL 10 Mar 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has used a visit to Afghanistan to lambast Kabul's Western allies, particularly the United States, saying Washington -- not Tehran -- was playing a "double game" in the country.
Ahmadinejad: US Forces Cannot Bring Peace to Afghanistan VOA 10 Mar 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Afghanistan, where he met with President Hamid Karzai and again sharply criticized the U.S. mission to stabilize the country.
Gates in Saudi Arabia for Talks Focused on Iran VOA 10 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Saudi Arabia for talks centered on Iran's controversial nuclear program.
Iranian missiles pose no threat to U.S. and Europe - Lavrov RIA Novosti 10 Mar 2010 -- Iran currently has no missiles capable of striking Europe and the U.S., Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
Iran's Bushehr NPP to be launched this year - Lavrov RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2010 -- Iran's first nuclear power plant, Bushehr, will be launched in 2010, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
Iran Six discuss draft proposals on Iran's nuclear issue RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2010 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday the Iran Six were discussing a possible new UN Security Council resolution imposing further sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program.
Commentary: After Elections, Iran Remains A Major Player In Iraq RFE/RL 08 Mar 2010 -- On March 7, millions of Iraqis "made their mark" and participated in the country's second, generally fair and democratic post-Saddam Hussein parliamentary elections -- an event that is exemplary for Iraq's Arab and Iranian neighbors.
Bushehr power plant undergoes final stages of safety test IRNA 07 Mar 2010 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Salehi said here Sunday that Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant has passed main tests and now it is undergoing final stages of safety test.
No consensus reached at G5+1 over sanctioning Iran IRNA 07 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mihman-Parast said Sunday that the group 5+1 would reach no consensus on sanctioning Iran.
Iran starts production of Nasr-1 cruise missile IRNA 07 Mar 2010 -- Production of Nasr-1 cruise missile was inaugurated by Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Sunday.
US fails in its attempt to orchestrate anti-Iran consensus IRNA 06 Mar 2010 -- Chairman of Majlis Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Saturday that the Chinese and Russian objection to a new series of sanctions on Iran indicates the US failure to orchestrate an anti-Iran consensus.
Soltanieh: Iran defined its principles to IAEA Board of Governors IRNA 06 Mar 2010 -- Iran's Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh said on Saturday that Iran has explicitly defined its principles to IAEA Board of Governors.
Karrubi Son Prevented From Traveling Abroad RFE/RL 06 Mar 2010 -- A son of Iranian opposition cleric Mehdi Karrubi has been prevented from boarding an international flight and had his passport confiscated, according to an Iranian website quoted by RFE/RL's Radio Farda.
Security Council briefed on monitoring of sanctions against Iran UN News Centre 04 Mar 2010 -- The Security Council was briefed today by the head its committee monitoring sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, including reports of violations regarding the transfer of arms.
Governing Board’s report on Iran’s nuclear case IRNA 04 Mar 2010 -- Chairman of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Governing Board presented a report on Iran’s nuclear program titled ‘Concluding Remarks’.
Iran asks intl. community to test suppliers’ political, good will IRNA 04 Mar 2010 -- Iran declared on Thursday that it expects the international community to test political and good will of suppliers in cooperating on nuclear fuel supply for Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).
Soltanieh deeply concerned over IAEA verification activities IRNA 04 Mar 2010 -- Iran’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations Ali-Asghar Soltanieh on Thursday voiced deep concern about the IAEA verification activities and the Agency Board’s deliberations on the issue.
Soltaniyeh: NAM precisely criticized agency secretary general’s report IRNA 04 Mar 2010 -- Iran’s Permanent Ambassador to IAEA said here Wednesday night at end of Board of Governor’s talks on Iran, “NAM very precisely criticized Secretary General Yukia Amano’s Report.
Iran threatens to drop nuclear offer if new UN sanctions approved RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2010 -- Iran threatened on Thursday to give up its counter-proposal to the UN nuclear watchdog on a uranium swap, if new sanctions were adopted against the Islamic Republic.
Russia 'yet to receive Western proposals on Iran sanctions' RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2010 -- The Russian mission to the UN has received no proposals from Western states concerning new sanctions against Iran, a source in the Russian delegation told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
Clinton fails to persuade Brazil to back sanctions against Iran RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2010 -- Brazil will not bow to pressure by the U.S. to support harsher sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program, the country's foreign minister has said, as quoted by BBC.
Western Powers Urge New Sanctions Against Iran VOA 04 Mar 2010 -- The United States, Britain and France are turning up the heat for additional sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program. The U.N. Ambassadors of the three western powers told their partners on the Security Council Thursday that the Islamic Republic has done nothing to lessen international concerns about the possible military dimension of its nuclear program.
Brazil Will Not 'Bow Down' on Iran Sanctions VOA 03 Mar 2010 -- Top Brazilian leaders are rejecting an appeal from the United States to back new sanctions against Iran and its nuclear program.
Mottaki: No military solution to Afghan problems IRNA 03 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Wednesday that the existing crisis and insecurity in Afghanistan do not have a military solution.
Larijani: foreign troops in Afghanistan have complicated situation IRNA 03 Mar 2010 -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Wednesday that military presence of the aliens in Afghanistan has further complicated the situation in the country.
Iran's nuclear installation, safe: IAEA expert IRNA 03 Mar 2010 -- An expert at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that Iran’s nuclear installations enjoy appropriate safety.
Iran Bans Magazine Of Karrubi's Son RFE/RL 03 Mar 2010 -- Iran's Press Supervisory Board has revoked the license of the weekly magazine "Irandokht," RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.
Clinton Hopes To Change Brazil's Mind On Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 03 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Brazil today and although the stop is just one of six on her Latin American tour, her agenda in Brasilia sets it apart from all the others.
'Moral Outrage' As Iranian Court Upholds Student's Death Sentence RFE/RL 03 Mar 2010 -- Twenty-year-old Mohammad Amin Valian, a student at Iran's Damghan University, could be executed at any time.
EU, US Threaten New Iran Sanctions VOA 03 Mar 2010 -- The European Union and the United States say they will pursue new U.N. sanctions against Iran for defying U.N. efforts to ensure that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Italy Breaks Up Ring Sending Arms to Iran VOA 03 Mar 2010 -- Italian authorities say they have dismantled an arms smuggling ring that was sending weapons to Iran.
Medvedev: Russia Could Back 'Smart' Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 02 Mar 2010 -- President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia could consider approving what he calls "smart" sanctions against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to persuade Tehran to take steps to ease international concerns over the Iranian nuclear program.
Russia, China promise nothing on Iran sanctions - Netanyahu RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2010 -- Israel has received no guarantees from Russia or China that they will support sanctions against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday, as quoted by national media.
Iran Accuses IAEA Chief of Bias VOA 02 Mar 2010 -- Iran's top nuclear official is accusing the U.N. nuclear agency's new chief of taking sides against Iran for saying the agency cannot confirm that Tehran's nuclear program is peaceful.
IAEA says Iran Not Cooperating With UN on Nuclear Issues VOA 01 Mar 2010 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency's new chief says it is impossible to verify whether Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful, since the country is not fully cooperating with the U.N. panel.
Iran Frees Some Detainees in New Year Gesture VOA 01 Mar 2010 -- The Iranian government has released a handful of detainees, including several prominent journalists, according to opposition Web sites. At the same time, the official Fars News agency reports two reformist newspapers, Etemaad and Irandokht, have been shut down.
Iran: Uranium Enrichment Swap Possible VOA 01 Mar 2010 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki insists his country is only interested in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. And, he says Tehran does not rule out a uranium enrichment swap with western powers. Mottaki spoke to journalists in Geneva after addressing the UN Human Rights Council.
Russia Ready to Consider New Iran Sanctions VOA 01 Mar 2010 -- Russian President Dmitri Medvedev says his country is ready to consider new sanctions against Iran if persuasion fails to stop it from enriching uranium.
Larijani: Nuclear disarmament is an important int'l issue IRNA 01 Mar 2010 -- Iran's Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani said here on Monday that nuclear disarmament is an important and sensitive international issue.
Iran submits documents on violation of West's pledges to IAEA IRNA 01 Mar 2010 -- Iran's Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh here on Monday provided IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano with concrete documents evidencing non-delivery of nuclear fuel to Iran.
Rigi confessions indicate US support for terrorism: Minister IRNA 01 Mar 2010 -- The interior minister said Monday that terrorist ringleader Rigi’s confessions to his terrorist operations indicated the strong US support for terrorism.
Iran to test new guided-bomb soon RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2010 -- Iran's air force will soon test-fire a new guided-bomb, the Iranian Fars news agency reported on Monday.
Iran 'not cooperating' with UN nuclear watchdog - IAEA chief RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2010 -- Tehran is not cooperating adequately with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA director general said on Monday.
Iran apologizes for intercepting Kyrgyz civilian plane RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2010 -- Iran's deputy foreign minister has officially apologized for intercepting a Kyrgyz passenger plane in Iranian airspace, Kyrgyzstan's foreign ministry said on Monday.
Head of UN nuclear watchdog urges greater cooperation from Iran UN News Centre 01 Mar 2010 -- Stepped-up cooperation from Iran is crucial to ensure that the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can verify that all nuclear material in the country is for peaceful purposes, the head of the watchdog said today.
IAEA Chief Cannot Confirm Iran Nuclear Program Peaceful VOA 01 Mar 2010 -- The U.N. nuclear agency's new chief says it is impossible to verify whether Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, because Tehran is not cooperating with the agency.

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March 2010 - Iran Special Weapons News