Stalemate between Israel, Iran brings more players to the nuke game

Iranian plans to build a nuclear reactor have caused tensions for its neighbor and longtime enemy, Israel.

Iran claims that its intentions are to build a reactor to harvest cheap and efficient electrical power. The Untied States and its western allies suspect Iran might be using this as a ruse to build a nuclear weapon.

Discussions are under way to impose new economic sanctions against Iran if it does not comply with inspections of its facilities, furthermore being forthright with its plans. (more…)

U.S.:Iran poses a major threat to regional stability

A top U.S. military commander says Iran poses a major threat to regional stability as it continues its nuclear program in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

General David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, told a Senate hearing Tuesday that if Iran were to obtain nuclear weapons capability, that would destabilize the region and likely spur a regional arms race. (more…)

Gates in Saudi Arabia for talks focused on Iran nuclear program

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Saudi Arabia for talks centered on Iran’s controversial nuclear program.

Gates flew Wednesday into Riyadh, where he is expected to update King Abdullah on U.S.-led efforts to impose new United Nations sanctions on Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment. The U.S. has been trying to build international support for possible action against Tehran.

Gates also is expected to discuss U.S. efforts to help Saudi Arabia bolster its air and missile defense programs. (more…)

Saddam Hussein weighed nuclear ‘package’ deal in 1990

As troops massed on his border near the start of the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein weighed the purchase of a $150 million nuclear “package” deal

China Willing to Support Tougher Sanctions on Iran

China might vote in the coming weeks for tougher United Nations sanctions aimed at blocking Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, after initially saying this wasn’t the time for new measures, a Chinese diplomat said.

China’s differences with the U.S. and its European allies aren’t as great as have been reported, according to the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. China isn’t refusing to back sanctions, and its difficulties with the latest U.S.-drafted proposal can be overcome, the envoy said. (more…)

Analysis: Advice From Brzezinski on How to Curb Iran

Few have thought longer or harder over the Iranian challenges than Zbigniew Brzezinski , who was the White House national security adviser when the Iranian revolution erupted.

U.N. Security Council is ready to tackle new sanctions against Iran

The president of the U.N. Security Council said on Tuesday it was ready to tackle proposals for new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, while U.S. diplomats worked to persuade China that action is needed.
Gabon’s U.N. Ambassador Emanuel Issoze-Ngondet, president of the Security Council for March, said the Iranian nuclear issue was not on the agenda of the 15-nation panel this month, but council members might still hold a meeting on it. (more…)

IAEA chief can’t confirm Iran nuke work peaceful

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday he cannot confirm that all of Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful, choosing his words carefully after tensions were sparked by his recent suggestion that Tehran may be working on a secret arms program.

International officials separately revealed a new source of friction between Iran and the international agency, telling The Associated Press that Iran was resisting agency efforts to improve monitoring of the Islamic Republic’s recently launched higher enrichment program.

Iran started enriching uranium to near 20 percent about three weeks ago, from the previous 3.5 percent level. (more…)

Iran’s president in Syria to meet with Assad, Nasrallah, Meshaal

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president, is in Damascus for talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s official SANA news agency said.

According to other reports the Iranian president will also meet with Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, and Khaled Meshaal, Hamas’ leader, while in Damascus.

Thursday’s visit comes after Walid Mouallem, Syria’s foreign minister, said Damascus was eager to help Iran and the West engage in a “constructive” dialogue over Tehran’s contested nuclear program.

“Sanctions are not a solution [to the problem] between Iran and the West,” Mouallem said on Saturday. (more…)

Netanyahu demands oil embargo on Iran without UN support

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Monday for an immediate embargo on Iran’s energy sector, saying the United Nations Security Council should be sidestepped if it cannot agree on the move.

Netanyahu told foreign Jewish leaders, “This is what is required now. It may not do the job, but nothing else will, and at least we will have known that it was tried. And if this cannot pass in the Security Council, then it should be done outside the Security Council, but immediately.”

Iran’s uranium enrichment, in defiance of several rounds of Security Council sanctions, has spurred world powers to consider tougher diplomatic measures, against the backdrop of threatened military action by Israel as a last resort.

Iran, the world’s fifth-largest oil exporter, says its uranium enrichment is for peaceful energy needs. But the fierce anti-Israel rhetoric from Tehran and threats of Israeli military action have stirred fears of a regional war. (Haaretz)