White House Statement on the TRR Nuclear Swap
The White House has released a statement on the nuclear fuel swap agreement Brazil and Turkey just reached with Iran: We acknowledge the efforts that have been made by Turkey and Brazil. The proposal announced in Tehran must now be conveyed clearly and authoritatively to the IAEA before it can be considered by the international […]
Obama’s Statement on Iran
From President Obama’s press statement today: Before I leave, let me also briefly address the events that have taken place over the last few days in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted […]
A Proxy War in Yemen?
The protracted conflict in Northern Yemen has become “a bit” more complicated – sarcasm intended – with Saudi Arabia joining the fray in attempting to destroy the Houthi rebels. However, what has become the source of serious debate is not so much the heavy fighting that is most likely taking and displacing so many lives, […]
The US & Iran: Between Human Rights, Diplomacy & Sanctions
The National Iranian American Council is pleased to announce we will be having a policy conference on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 in Dirksen Senate Office Building G-50. The conference will run from 9 AM to 12.30 PM and will feature two panels; the first will assess the human rights and political situation in Iran and […]
Ahmadinejad on his way to NY
Fars News Agency reported on Tuesday that the Iranian President left Iran to attend a UN General Assembly meeting on Wednesday. Ahmadinejad left Tehran Tuesday morning (local time) to attend the 64th UN General Assembly meeting in New York. A number of high-ranking Iranian officials, including eight lawmakers, are accompanying Ahmadinejad on his 3-day visit […]
A cool reception awaits Ahmadinejad delegation at UN
According to Fars News Agency eight MPs will accompany Ahmadinejad to the UN’s General Assembly this week: “All the five representatives of (Iran’s) religious minorities along with three other lawmakers will accompany the president in his trip to New York,” member of the parliament’s Presiding Board Hojjatoleslam Seyed Mohammad-Reza Mirtajeddini told FNA. Ahmadinejad will leave […]
Mottaki in New York
This morning from Press TV: Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has arrived in New York to take part in the general debates of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly. Mottaki’s arrival comes a day before President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s scheduled arrival, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported Monday. Other than President Ahmadinejad, the US […]
Ahmadinejad Crisis Not Over Yet
The Economist has published a very provocative piece on how, three months after his disputed re-election, Ahmadinejad is still failing to reassert his grip on power. This view is only underscored by today’s mass demonstrations in cities all across Iran, in direct defiance of a government ban on opposition activities. Though it has crushed street […]
Mottaki: no direct talk with the US
From Fars News Agency this morning: [On Wednesday Foreign Minister Manouchehr] Mottaki, [who was] speaking on the sidelines of [a] ceremony to unveil a stamp on the occasion of this year’s International Qods Day, [responded] to a reporter’s question [on] whether [Under Secretary of State] William Burns is scheduled to attend the session on behalf […]
Iran army chief: Obama ‘a realist’ on nuclear case
Today from PressTV: Iran’s chief of Joint Armed Forces says US President Barack Obama is more of a “realist” than his predecessor, George W. Bush, in handling the country’s nuclear case. “Iran is only seeking to develop a peaceful nuclear program, to produce energy,” Major General Hassan Firouzabadi said Wednesday. “And it seems that Mr. […]
Ahmadinejad invites six powers to Tehran, says nuclear discussions “finished”
Speaking at a press conference today President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad invited representatives of the P5+1 to travel to Tehran and “pick up” the Iranian government’s latest proposal. But, he cautioned, discussions over the nuclear program are “finished.” More from Thomas Erdbrink of the Washington Post Foreign Service: The statement came as the head of the United […]
Washington Times: Obama wrote to Ayatollah Khamenei
From the Washington Times this morning: President Obama sent a second letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, before Iran’s disputed presidential elections, an Iranian-American activist says. The Washington Times reported in June that Mr. Obama wrote to Ayatollah Khamenei in May seeking talks and improved relations between the longtime adversaries. An Iranian Web […]