The Realities of “Preventive” Strikes
Certain media outlets as well as conservative political camps in both the US and Israel would have you believe that it would take no more than a few days of airstrikes to delay and/or end Iran’s nuclear program. This claim is misleading in more ways than I can count, but here are a few. Compared […]
Iran News Roundup: August 9, 2012
Israeli Defense Minister publicly divulges US intelligence report Iran Syria talks seen short on action Standard Chartered begins fightback on Iran allegations Flame and Stuxnet Cousin Targets Lebanese Bank Customers, Carries Mysterious Payload Iran says abrupt Assad fall would be “catastrophic” Gulf Nations Aim to Secure Water, Food Supply U.S. Navy Rescues 10 From Iranian […]
A Wakeup Call in the Persian Gulf
Earlier this week, many in Washington held their breath after the U.S. Navy announced that the USNS Rappahannock had resorted to “lethal force” and fired on a small vessel in the Persian Gulf that had rapidly approached the U.S. ship. Although we subsequently learned that it was Indian fishermen – not Iranian sailors – who had been […]
Iran News Roundup: July 20, 2012
U.S. Officials Blame Hezbollah for Terror Attack Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that American officials identified the man as a member of a Hezbollah cell “acting under broad guidance” to hit Israeli targets. A U.S. official said it was a “tit for tat” attack done to retaliate for the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists […]
Iran News Roundup: July 5, 2012
P5+1 Talks to Continue Technical-level talks in Istanbul between the P5+1 and Iran ended early Wednesday, saying that talks would resume between the deputies of lead negotiators at an unspecified later date (NYT 7/5). In a new document, presented to Iran experts by Iran’s mission to the UN, which includes transcriptional excerpts, both parties seem […]
Iran News Roundup: July 3, 2012
US Increases Military Presence in the Persian Gulf In response to proposed legislation in the Iranian parliament to close the Strait of Hormuz, the United States has “quietly” moved additional fighter jets, minesweepers, stealth warplanes, and other military reinforcements into the region. Navy ships are in place patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly to ensure […]
Iran News Roundup: June 28, 2012
Bush Advisor Calls for Naval Blockade of Iran President Bush’s former National Security Council director of international energy, Robert McNally, advocates for a U.S. naval blockade against Iran in today’s Financial Times. McNally acknowledges his recommendation would be an act of war under international law (Financial Times 6/27). China and Singapore Receive Sanctions Waivers The […]
Iran News Roundup 01/25
Will Israel Attack Iran? New York Times magazine will run a cover story on whether an Israeli strike on Iran is imminent. According to the author, Ronen Bergman, “After speaking with many senior Israeli leaders and chiefs of the military and the intelligence, I have come to believe that Israel will indeed strike Iran in 2012” (New […]
Iran News Roundup 01/24
Australia imposes sanctions on Iranian oil Following yesterday’s announcement of EU imposed sanctions, Australian Foreign Secretary Kevin Rudd stated that Australia would also stop importing Iranian oil. Rudd acknowledged Australia’s imports of Iranian oil are already “negligible.” (CNN 01/24) Fitch: EU oil sanctions likely to increase prices Fitch ratings evaluates that it is very likely […]
Iran News Roundup 01/23
European Union agrees to Iran oil embargo All 27-member states have agreed to impose a ban on Iranian oil. Full implementation begins on July 1. In response, an Iranian member of Parliament urged Iran to immediately cut off sales to the EU, in order to disrupt EU oil supply before the planned July date. (Reuters 01/23) In […]
Iran News Roundup 01/06
Iran and West may resume nuclear talks Turkey’s foreign minister said that on his trip to Iran he delivered a western offer to resume nuclear talks and Iran has accepted (Reuters 01/05). A European official says that Iran has not formally responded in writing to the proposal for a new meeting (Yahoo 01/05). Countries react to U.S. […]
NIAC EXCLUSIVE: Congress to introduce bipartisan “Incidents-at-Sea” resolution
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) will introduce a resolution this morning next week calling for the US military to negotiate an agreement with Iran for the prevention of incidents in the Persian Gulf. This resolution, intended to protect American ships and sailors operating in harm’s way, is the first bipartisan call for […]