Iran secretly tested ‘nuclear-capable missiles’

 

Iranian clerics look at a ballistic missile before being launched at an undisclosed location on June 28.

Iran has carried out secret tests of ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear payload in breach of UN resolutions, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday.

World Powers Press Iran to Cooperate with IAEA

World powers urged Iran to cooperate with the UN atomic watchdog Wednesday, otherwise it could soon face further censure for blocking the investigation into its controversial nuclear drive.

“We call on Iran to cooperate fully with the (International Atomic Energy) Agency,” the so-caled P5+1 grouping said in their first joint statement to the IAEA’s board of governors in two years.

IAEA Report Reduces Chances of Iran Fuel Swap Deal

A recent IAEA report said that the UN agency “remains concerned about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed nuclear related activities, involving military related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile.” This report also summarized the recent development of the Iranian nuclear material swap deal back by Turkey and Brazil.

VIENNA — Iran has amassed more than two tons of enriched uranium, the U.N. atomic agency said Monday in a report that heightened Western concerns about the country developing the ability to produce a nuclear weapon.

Two tons of uranium would be enough for two nuclear warheads, although Iran says it does not want weapons and is only pursuing civilian nuclear energy.

Iran, UN Members Meet Over Dinner

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki invited members of the U.N. Security Council to dinner on Thursday. The dinner included 15 member states and is seen to be a move made by Iran to avoid economic sanctions because of Iran’s nuclear weapon program.

Iran’s foreign minister invited the U.S. and other members of the United Nations Security Council to dinner Thursday night, his nation’s latest high-profile attempt to avert more economic sanctions over its nuclear program.

China Agrees to Consider Steps on Iran

China is taking steps toward entering into negotiations in order to tighten pressure on Iran through sanctions.  This comes after months of resisting the idea from the United Nations.   Specifically, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that all the permanent members of the Security Council, which includes China and Russia, were now “unified” on the issue and that “a great deal of further consultation” would occur in the coming weeks.

After months of resisting the idea of new Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, the Chinese government appears to have taken a step closer to supporting them, agreeing to enter negotiations over the language of a new resolution to intensify international pressure on Iran.

“They have agreed to start,” said Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, in an interview here. “Talking about the substance is a new step forward.”

West ‘Fussing’ Over Iran Nuclear Drive: Ahmadinejad

Iranian President M. Ahmadinejad

Ahmadinejad said the West was stirring up a “fuss” about Iran’s nuclear program. His most recent rant came a day after officials of six major world powers dealing with Iran’s nuclear program discussed sanctions.  Western powers believe that Iran is making nuclear weapons under the cover of its civilian program.  Iran, who has pursued nuclear technology under Ahmadinejad’s presidency, denies these accusations. “They are saying we are worried that Iran may be building a bomb. But we are saying you have built it and even used it. So who should be worried?” Ahmadinejad said.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday accused the West of stirring up a “fuss” about Iran’s nuclear programme, as reports said Washington has backed down from harsh sanctions against Tehran.

Ahmadinejad’s latest outburst came a day after senior officials of the group of six major world powers dealing with Iran’s nuclear programme held a conference call to discuss sanctions against the Islamic republic.