World News Blog

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Iranian leader congratulates Obama

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, seen here in September 2008, has congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama on his success -- rare praise between the two countries which are archfoes(AFP/Getty Images/File/Jeff Zelevansky)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday congratulated President-elect Barack Obama, the first such gesture since the 1979 revolution of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Obama has stated during his campaign that he would be willing to negotiate with foes including Iran.

Israel, though, expressed concerned about a possible open dialogue between the two countries.

ABC News

Nixon and China redux: Only Obama can go to Iran
Beliefnet.com, NY - 5 hours ago
But how likely is the Obama Administration to pursue closer ties with Iran? Obama's campaign rhetoric accepts the frame that Iran is intrinsically hostile, ...
Opening A Door In Tehran? Newsweek
Iran hesitant in its response to Obama's election The National
Talks Poised to Bring Iranian Rebirth Washington Post

Sydney Morning Herald

Iran president urges Obama to change US policies
Reuters - 1 hour ago
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated US President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday and called for "fundamental and fair" changes to US policies in the region, Iran's official IRNA news agency said.
Iranian leader welcomes Obama win BBC News
Ahmadinejad welcomes Obama change CNN International

Spiegel Online
Israel cautions against Obama dialogue with Iran
Reuters - 8 hours ago
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel said on Thursday US President-elect Barack Obama's stated readiness to talk to Iran could be seen in the Middle East as a sign ...
Iran: Obama victory sign of Bush failure Xinhua
Israel's Livini blasts Obama's Iran plan Canada.com
The world is ready to move forward but Israel is clinging to the past Daily Star - Lebanon

Labels: iran, israel, mahmoud ahmadinejad

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Iran tells IAEA no on uranium enrichment

Tehran told the UN atomic agency Monday that it would continue to enrich uranium and it was accused of blocking the Atomic-Weapons Probe.

Iran's enrichment plant in Natanz has produced a total of 480 kilogrammes (1,058 pounds) of low-enriched uranium or LEU, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency said said.

It would need 1,700 kilogrammes to convert into high-enriched uranium (HEU) for use in an atom bomb, a UN official said.

Iran has cooperated closely with North Korea and other countries in developing ballistic missiles, which many Western analysts believe are intended to deliver nuclear warheads. North Korea has tested an atomic weapon.

CTV.ca

Iran's IAEA envoy says it will continue uranium enrichment
AFP - 1 hour ago
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran's ambassador to the UN atomic watchdog said on Monday that his country will continue enriching uranium in defiance of UN Security Council demands, the ISNA news agency reported.
UN nuclear watchdog says Iran blocking arms probe The Associated Press
Iran Refuses to Cooperate on Atomic-Weapons Probe (Update3) Bloomberg

Labels: atomic, iran, nuclear weapons, uranium enrichment

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Iran test fires ballistic missiles

Iran test-fired a long range ballistic missile today prompting reactions from the U.S. presidential candidates. Both Barack Obama and John McCain slammed the tests in statements released today.

Iran has been rapidly developing its military apparently on fears of a possible U.S. and/or Israeli strike. Over the last year it has obtained the modern SA-15 Tor air defense system from Russia and has tested many of its own weapons systems.

Washington Post

Iran Test-Fires Long-Range Missile
Washington Post - 4 hours ago
Iran said today it had test-fired a long-range missile capable of reaching Israel and US troops in the region, a step promptly condemned by the Bush administration as heightening tensions over the country's suspected nuclear weapons program.
Video: US Calls Iran Missle Test a 'threat' AssociatedPress
Iran stages Persian Gulf missile tests amid warnings to its 'enemies' Los Angeles Times