Iran moves to speed up nuclear program despite sanctions

Published on April 17, 2013

Iran is increasing the number of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges installed at its Natanz underground plant, despite tightening international sanctions aimed at stopping Tehran's nuclear progress, diplomats said on Wednesday.

Kerry sees ‘finite’ time for Iran nuclear talks

Published on March 4, 2013

The United States and top Gulf Arab ally Saudi Arabia said on Monday that talks between Iran and world powers on a diplomatic solution to its disputed nuclear program could not go on indefinitely.

U.N. watchdog: New centrifuges at Natanz advance Iran toward nuclear weapon

Published on February 21, 2013

Iran has installed centrifuges at its largest nuclear enrichment plant that could be used to produce radioactive material for a nuclear weapon, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said.

UN inspectors see new centrifuges at Iran nuclear site, diplomat says

Published on February 14, 2013

U.N. nuclear inspectors have seen a small number of advanced centrifuges at an uranium enrichment plant where Iran has said it will install and operate them, a diplomatic source said on Thursday.

Report: Iran converting enriched uranium to reactor fuel

Published on February 12, 2013

Iran announced that is converting some of its enriched uranium to reactor fuel.

Iran reportedly to upgrade nuclear enrichment centrifuges

Published on January 31, 2013

Iran will upgrade the nuclear enrichment equipment at its Natanz nuclear plant.

Syria may hold uranium stash, Western and Israeli experts say

Published on January 11, 2013

Western and Israeli security experts suspect Syria may have tonnes of unenriched uranium in storage and that any such stockpile could potentially be of interest to its ally Iran for use in Tehran's own disputed nuclear program.

Remove Israeli threat to inspect Parchin nuclear site, Iran says

Published on December 27, 2012

Iran said it would open the Parchin military complex to United Nations nuclear inspectors if threats of an Israeli attack are neutralized.

Iran nukes chief says enrichment to continue, leaked diagram shows mega-bomb

Published on November 28, 2012

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said his country would continue to enrich uranium "with intensity."

Iran ready to double nuclear work in bunker, IAEA says

Published on November 16, 2012

Iran is set to sharply expand its uranium enrichment in an underground site after installing all the centrifuges it was built for, a U.N. nuclear report showed on Friday, a move that could increase Western alarm about Tehran's nuclear course.

Iran, U.N. nuclear agency to resume talks in December

Published on November 9, 2012

Iran will return to talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency next month, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday, the latest push to seek a peaceful end to a dispute that has raised fears of a new Middle East war.

Report: Iran nearly done installing centrifuges at nuclear plant

Published on October 25, 2012

Iran appears to be nearly finished installing centrifuges at one of its underground plants, drawing it still closer to making weapons-grade uranium.

Iran further expanding enrichment capacity, Western diplomats say

Published on October 17, 2012

Iran is believed to be further increasing its uranium enrichment capacity at its Fordow plant buried deep underground, Western diplomats say, in another sign of Tehran defying international demands to curb its disputed nuclear program.

Netanyahu praises EU for new Iran sanctions

Published on October 16, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the European Union for adopting new sanctions against Iran.

U.S. should heed call for a clear Iranian red line

Published on October 2, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a persuasive case at the United Nations General Assembly Thursday for a clear red line to ward off Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Time is running out and the United States should listen to the Israeli leader and draw a clear line for Tehran.

Israelis see no Iran war this year after Netanyahu’s speech

Published on September 28, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's U.N. speech about Iranian nuclear advances has dampened speculation in Israel that he could order a war this year.

Arab nuclear ‘goodwill gesture’ fails to impress Israel, U.S.

Published on September 20, 2012

Arab states said on Thursday they had decided as a "goodwill gesture" to refrain from targeting Israel with a resolution over its assumed nuclear arsenal at the U.N. atomic agency's annual assembly this week.

Israel’s nuke head invites IAEA inspection

Published on September 20, 2012

The head of Israel's nuclear agency invited the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its Soreq nuclear research center.

August 31, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on August 31, 2012

Iran reportedly installs hundreds of new uranium enrichment machines

Published on August 24, 2012

Iran may have installed as many as "hundreds of new" uranium enrichment machines in its underground nuclear facility at Fordow.

Khamenei dismisses sanctions, says Iran stronger than ever

Published on July 11, 2012

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday dismissed harsher sanctions imposed on Iran this month over its disputed nuclear activity, saying the country was "100 times stronger" than before.

Israel says clock ticking after Iran talks fail

Published on June 21, 2012

Israel has responded to the failure of the latest nuclear talks between world powers and Iran with a familiar refrain: sanctions must be ramped up while the clock ticks down toward possible military action.

Iran accuses IAEA of demanding Parchin visit to spy

Published on June 11, 2012

Iran will not allow the United Nations nuclear watchdog to visit Iran's Parchin military complex, accusing inspectors of being "Western spies."

IAEA says no progress in nuclear probe talks with Iran

Published on June 8, 2012

The U.N. nuclear watchdog said it had made no progress in talks with Iran on Friday to finalize a deal on resuming a long-stalled investigation into suspected nuclear weapons research by Tehran and it called the outcome "disappointing."

China urges Iran ‘flexibility’ as IAEA talks begin

Published on June 8, 2012

China urged Iran to show flexibility on the day the U.N. nuclear watchdog launched talks with the Islamic Republic over greater access to its nuclear sites.

Satellite images show crews hiding evidence at Iran nuclear site

Published on May 31, 2012

New satellite images show possible recent nuclear activity at the Parchin facility in Iran as well as attempts to hide evidence of past activity.

Higher grade Iranian enriched uranium uncovered

Published on May 25, 2012

Evidence found in an underground bunker in Iran could signal the country’s having moved one step closer toward the uranium threshold needed to make nuclear arms, International Atomic Energy Agency diplomats said today.

White House reassures Jews as it readies Baghdad offer to Iran

Published on May 22, 2012

The differences between the U.S. and Israeli positions on Iran’s nuclear program are about to become very clear, and the Obama administration is reassuring the Jewish community that the divide is not so vast.

IAEA chief says Iran ready to sign nuclear inspection deal

Published on May 22, 2012

The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said his agency expects to sign a deal with Iran to allow an investigation into the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

Israel wary of expected Iran nuclear deal

Published on May 22, 2012

Israel expressed deep suspicion on Tuesday about an expected deal between the U.N. nuclear agency and Iran, suggesting Tehran's aim was to wriggle out of sanctions rather than make real concessions ahead of wider atomic talks with world powers.

U.N. nuclear chief holds talks in Tehran, hopes for deal

Published on May 21, 2012

The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief held rare talks in Tehran on Monday after voicing hope for a deal to investigate suspected atomic bomb research - a gesture Iran might make to try to get international sanctions relaxed and deflect threats of war.

Israel: Iran in ‘chess game’ to guard nuclear gains

Published on May 18, 2012

Iran is likely to use talks planned with world powers next week to buy more time for advancing its disputed nuclear program and it is "very good at playing this kind of chess game," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday.

Amid new Iran nuke rumors, Barak and Panetta to meet

Published on May 17, 2012

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak will meet with his U.S. counterpart, Leon Panetta, in Washington amid reports that Iran may have achieved the capability to build a nuclear bomb.

Iran nuclear concession would test big power unity

Published on May 16, 2012

Facing an imminent toughening of sanctions, Iran is hinting at a readiness to give some ground in its long nuclear stand-off with world powers, but any flexibility could split their ranks and lead to protracted uncertainty about how to respond.

Iran cleaning building of nuclear traces, U.S. institute alleges

Published on May 9, 2012

New satellite imagery analyzed by a U.S. security think tank shows that Iran may be clearing nuclear evidence from a building at a military site.

Biden: Israel still has time to strike Iran [VIDEO]

Published on May 8, 2012

Israel still has time to strike Iran and the right to decide for itself whether to do so, Vice President Joe Biden said.

Barak: Iran could seek short build time for bomb

Published on May 4, 2012

Iran's nuclear strategy could eventually allow it to build an atomic bomb with just 60 days' notice, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Friday.

Israel’s top general says Iran unlikely to make bomb

Published on April 25, 2012

Israel's military chief said he does not believe Iran will decide to build an atomic bomb and called its leaders "very rational" - comments that clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assessment.

Barak: Israel did not promise not to attack Iran

Published on April 17, 2012

Israel did not promise the United States that it would abstain from attacking Iran while negotiations are going on, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.

Iran to offer ‘new initiatives’ in nuclear talks

Published on April 11, 2012

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said his country was prepared to offer "new initiatives" at upcoming nuclear talks in Istanbul.

Israel takes concerns about Iran to key partner China

Published on March 16, 2012

Israel on Friday took its concern about Iran's nuclear programme to one of Iran's main partners, China, and hinted it could launch a preemptive attack on the Islamic Republic despite repeated calls by China to allow diplomacy to take its course.

March 11, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on March 11, 2012

Iran’s France envoy says no talks on uranium enrichment

Published on March 8, 2012

Iran's envoy to France said Tehran was optimistic about new talks with world powers on its nuclear program but Iran would not negotiate on its right to enrich uranium.

Report: Iran to allow inspection of suspected nuclear site

Published on March 6, 2012

Iran will allow inspectors from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog group to visit a suspected nuclear site on a military base near Tehran.

Obama: Diplomacy still the way to stop Iran nukes, but military option on table

Published on March 4, 2012

President Obama said it was still possible to resolve Iran's suspected bid for a nuclear weapon through diplomacy, but added that a military option was still on the table and that containment was not an option.

Iran parliament vote seen bolstering Supreme Leader

Published on March 2, 2012

Iranians voted on Friday in a parliamentary election likely to reinforce Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's power over rival hardliners led by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

West seeks to pressure Iran at U.N. nuclear meet

Published on March 2, 2012

Western powers hope to win Russian and Chinese backing for rebuking Iran at the U.N. nuclear agency next week over Tehran's failure to address mounting fears that it is secretly bent on acquiring nuclear weapons capability, diplomats say.

U.S.: North Korea agrees to nuclear moratorium

Published on February 29, 2012

The United States said on Wednesday that North Korea had agreed to a moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range missile launches and to allow nuclear inspectors to visit its Yongbyon nuclear complex to verify a halt to all nuclear activities including uranium enrichment.

IAEA: Iran uranium “discrepancy” still unresolved

Published on February 25, 2012

Iran has yet to give an explanation over a small quantity of uranium metal missing from a research site, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said in a report that voiced concern over possible military links to Tehran's nuclear program.

IAEA: Iran rapidly ramping up nuclear work

Published on February 24, 2012

A confidential report from the U.N. nuclear watchdog says Iran has rapidly ramped up its nuclear activities in recent months.

Divided by common foe, Israel and U.S. tangle over Iran

Published on February 23, 2012

Ever since their first awkward encounter - a hastily arranged meeting in a custodian's office at a Washington airport in 2007 - Iran has been one of the few issues on which Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu have been able to find some common ground.

Iran defiant as U.N. nuclear talks fail

Published on February 22, 2012

The U.N. nuclear watchdog ended its latest mission to Iran after talks on Tehran's suspected secret atomic weapons research failed, a setback likely to increase the risk of confrontation with the West.

Russia to Israel: Attacking Iran would be ‘catastrophic’

Published on February 22, 2012

Russia warned Israel on Wednesday that attacking Iran would be a disastrous and played down the failure of a U.N. nuclear agency mission to Tehran, saying there is still a chance for new talks over the Iranian atomic program.

IAEA talks in Tehran to test Iran’s nuclear defiance

Published on January 26, 2012

A rare visit by senior U.N. nuclear inspectors next week raises pressure on Iran to address suspicions it is trying to develop atomic weapons, though Western powers that are piling on sanctions expect no significant breakthrough.

EU bans Iranian oil, Tehran responds with threats

Published on January 23, 2012

The European Union banned imports of oil from Iran on Monday and imposed a number of other economic sanctions, joining the United States in a new round of measures aimed at deflecting Tehran's nuclear development program.

IAEA: Iran tour aimed at seeking nukes evidence

Published on January 20, 2012

Renewed contacts with Iran will be aimed at substantiating suspicions that it is developing a nuclear weapons, the top nuclear watchdog said.

Iran warns region against ‘dangerous’ stance on Hormuz

Published on January 19, 2012

Iran's foreign minister warned Arab neighbors on Thursday not to put themselves in a "dangerous position" by aligning themselves too closely with the United States in the escalating dispute over Tehran's nuclear activity.

IAEA to press Iran over nuclear concerns

Published on January 19, 2012

The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said it was his duty to warn the world about suspected Iranian activities that point to plans to develop atomic bombs, maintaining pressure on Tehran ahead of rare talks between Iran and his agency expected this month.

Opinion: Why we should not bomb Iran

Published on January 18, 2012

In endorsing bombing Iran as a neat way to address Iran’s nuclear program, Matthew Kroenig makes the case that the theoretical nightmare of a nuclear Iran could be more or less eliminated, and that even if that can’t be fully accomplished, the bombing could buy time. But the logic of his argument does not acknowledge that the facts on the ground are not so clear.

Opinion: Why we should attack Iran

Published on January 18, 2012

The United States and Iran are on a path toward direct armed conflict. In early October, U.S. officials accused Iranian operatives of planning to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States on American soil. In early January, Tehran sentenced to death an American citizen visiting family in Iran on charges of alleged espionage.