How do we know Iran isn’t moving to weapons?
With the alarmist rhetoric for military action against Iran, there seems to be significant confusion about the status of Iran’s nuclear program. Numerous U.S. officials and intelligence assessments have reiterated that Iran has not made the decision to build a nuclear weapon. This includes the 2007 and 2011 National Intelligence Estimates, and statements by Director […]
Iranian human rights and democracy defenders on sanctions and war
Below is a compendium of public statements by notable Iranian human rights and democracy defenders regarding the impact that sanctions and threats of war have on Iran: Iran sanctions strengthen Ahmadinejad regime – Karroubi, The Guardian, August 11, 2010: “These sanctions have given an excuse to the Iranian government to suppress the opposition by blaming […]
Ratcheting Down the Rhetoric
On Wednesday, the New America Foundation hosted a discussion about “America, Israel and Iran after Netanyahu’s Visit” (watch the video here) and the participants pointed out several important takeaways from the 2012 AIPAC conference. Daniel Levy, Co-Director of the Middle East Task Force at the New America Foundation, observed that Netanyahu got what he wanted […]
Iran News Roundup 2/10
Amidst increased sanctions, Asian powers push negotiation The Foreign Ministry of China has said it would send an Assistant Foreign Minister to Iran to “have a further exchange of views with Iran over its nuclear program,” amidst sanctions that are affecting trade. China has already sought discounts on Iranian oil and cut purchases this year […]