Shifting on 20% enrichment?
Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Permanent Envoy to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh relayed seemingly coordinated messages yesterday, hinting that Iran might consider giving up its 20% enrichment work, which is currently the biggest stumbling block for the fuel swap deal. While reiterating the usual assertion that uranium enrichment is allowed under the NPT, […]
Oh, the Irony
When I first heard about France and Belgium’s proposed laws for banning the burqa, I was outraged. As an American, I thought it ridiculous, violating the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and free exercise of religion. I could not believe that two modern, democratic nations would not allow someone to practice their religion […]
Clinton: Iran’s shift towards Military dictatorship
The NY times reports that Secretary of State Clinton sparked more tension with Iran on Monday by suggesting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards is shifting the nation towards a military dictatorship, as the IRGC is gaining more political, economic, and military power. “We see that the government of Iran, the supreme leader, the president, the Parliament […]
Mottaki: In talks, we will not buy expensively nor sell cheaply
IRNA has an interview with Manouchehr Mottaki about US-Iran relations. Policymakers will be interested to know how he frames the issue. He denies an alleged meeting with US congressmen, contrary to what Iran’s own al-Alam network has reported. From IRNA: In a statement that appears simple but in reality is laden with meaning, Iran’s Foreign Minister said: “Since […]
Iran not invited to Caspian Sea summit
Unlike previous years, Iran was not invited to the Caspian Sea summit in the Kazakh city of Akatu on Thursday. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Tuesday criticized a scheduled meeting of Caspian Sea states without Iran’s participation. The presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Russia are set to hold an “informal” summit to discuss “sub-regional […]