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Stories
WSJ:
"Volvo Group has left the Iranian market. A company spokesman
confirmed the authenticity of a letter sent to a U.S. pressure group this
week saying it stopped sales of any new equipment in Iran in March 2012,
and made a decision in January to stop business with all companies in the
country. The question of pulling out of Iran has been an issue under
discussion for several years, said Kina Wileke, the company's head of
media relations, in an interview. Concerns about the Iranian regime led
Volvo to pull out, she added. United Against Nuclear Iran, the U.S.
pressure group, sent a letter to Volvo in December calling for the
Swedish company to leave the market, accusing it, among other things, of
supplying the trucks used by the Iranian government to transport
missiles. 'We applaud Volvo AB for this decision,' said Nathan Carleton,
a spokesman for the group, in an email. 'Iran's automotive sector serves
as a massive source of revenue for the regime, and is integral to Iranian
military operations...The situation is now changing, as seven prominent
automakers have pulled out of Iran within the past year.'" http://t.uani.com/12Ca0hg
Reuters:
"U.N. inspectors returned on Thursday from talks in Tehran with no
deal on access to Iran's nuclear sites and no date for new talks, failing
to produce even a small signal of hope for wider big power diplomacy
aimed at averting a war. 'Despite its many commitments to do so, Iran has
not negotiated in good faith,' said a Western diplomat accredited to the
United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna who was not
at the talks. 'It appears that we now have to ask ourselves if this is
still the right tactic.' The deadlock is a chilling signal for a wider
effort by six major powers to get Iran to curb a program that they fear
could give it the capacity to build a nuclear bomb, something Israel has
suggested it will prevent by force if diplomacy fails. The IAEA and Iran
'could not finalize the document' setting out terms for an IAEA inquiry
into possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program, chief U.N.
inspector Herman Nackaerts said at Vienna airport after returning from
Iran. He said no new date had been set for talks that have shown no
progress in more than a year, adding: 'Time is needed to reflect on the
way forward.'" http://t.uani.com/WqfXNS
WashPost:
"Iran recently sought to acquire tens of thousands of highly
specialized magnets used in centrifuge machines, according to experts and
diplomats, a sign that the country may be planning a major expansion of
its nuclear program that could shorten the path to an atomic weapons
capability. Purchase orders obtained by nuclear researchers show an
attempt by Iranian agents to buy 100,000 of the ring-shaped magnets -
which are banned from export to Iran under U.N. resolutions - from China
about a year ago, those familiar with the effort said. It is unclear
whether the attempt succeeded. Although Iran has frequently sought to
purchase banned items from foreign vendors, this case is considered
unusual because of the order's specificity and sheer size - enough
magnets in theory to outfit 50,000 new centrifuges, or nearly five times
the number that Iran currently operates. The revelation of the new orders
for nuclear-sensitive parts coincides with Iran's announcement that it
plans to add thousands of more-advanced, second-generation centrifuges
that would allow it to ramp up its production of enriched uranium even
further, analysts said." http://t.uani.com/X5TNR7
Nuclear Program
AP:
"The world must show its resolve in the face of North Korea's
nuclear provocations or risk emboldening Iran, which is under scrutiny
over its uranium enrichment program, Secretary of State John Kerry said
Wednesday. Kerry said nations must agree on a 'swift, clear, strong and
credible response' to Pyongyang's third nuclear test and the
authoritarian regime's 'continued flaunting of its obligations.' ...
'It's important for the world to have credibility with respect to our
nonproliferation efforts,' Kerry told reporters after meeting Jordanian
Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh at the State Department. 'Just as it's
impermissible for North Korea to pursue this kind of reckless effort, so
we have said it's impermissible with respect to Iran. What our response
is with respect to this will have an impact on all other nonproliferation
efforts.'" http://t.uani.com/Yts6Qf
AP:
"A senior diplomat is confirming Tehran's announcement that it has
started upgrading its nuclear program. He says that U.N. officials just
back from Iran saw new machines positioned to vastly accelerate output of
material usable both for reactor fuel and nuclear warheads. The diplomat
said Thursday that the officials saw a small number of advanced
centrifuges for enriching uranium at the Natanz plant southeast of
Tehran. His comments follow Iran's announcement the day before. But while
Iran said installation had begun, the diplomat said the officials only
saw machines positioned for installation Wednesday." http://t.uani.com/VWK6Ce
Reuters:
"European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton urged Iran on
Wednesday to show flexibility at this month's talks between Tehran and
six world powers aimed at defusing tensions over the Iranian nuclear
program. The five permanent U.N. Security Council members - the United
States, Britain, France, Russia and China - and Germany will meet with
Iran in Kazakhstan on February 26 for the latest round of talks in a
7-year-old attempt by the six powers to end the decade-long nuclear
standoff with Tehran. 'We hope that Iran will come to this negotiation
with flexibility and that we can make substantial progress,' Ashton told
the 15-nation Security Council during a meeting on the United Nations'
cooperation with regional organizations. 'We're engaging in intensive diplomatic
efforts to seek a negotiated solution that meets the international
community's concern about the Iranian nuclear program,' she said." http://t.uani.com/Y9WvlS
Sanctions
LAT:
"California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is declaring a big
success his department's 4-year-old program to pressure state-licensed
insurance companies to stop investing in multinational firms that do
business in Iran. Just eight of a total of 1,300 licensed insurers
continue to invest in foreign-owned companies that are involved in the
military, energy or nuclear sectors of the economy of the Islamic
republic, he said. The State Department identifies the Middle Eastern
nation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Topping Jones' list, unveiled at
a news conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, was California's biggest
private auto liability insurer: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Co. According to the department, State Farm collected $1.5 billion in
premiums in California in 2011, accounting for 13.4% of the market. State
Farm and the other seven companies, all life insurers, on the list are
engaged in risky investments, Jones warned. 'Iran is unstable and at risk
... in conflict with its neighbors and in conflict with the United
States,' he said... The eight insurers have invested a total of $198
million in foreign multinational corporations operating in Iran, down
from a total of $6 billion in 2009, Jones said. That's a 97% reduction
from when the divestment regulation was originally approved, he
said." http://t.uani.com/12ktz2r
The
Herald-Palladium: "State Rep. Al Pscholka last
Thursday was presented with an award by United Against Nuclear Iran, for
his leadership in passing Michigan's Iran State Contracting legislation.
Pscholka, R-Stevensville, co-sponsored a bill during the last legislative
session that prevents the state of Michigan from contracting with
businesses and persons that have economic ties to Iran. The bill's Senate
counterpart was signed by Gov. Snyder on Dec. 28, 2012. 'Public officials
must do everything in their power to promote freedom and stability, both
home and abroad,' Pscholka said. 'That is why it was easy to do the right
thing and co-sponsor the Iran economic sanctions act. I am honored by the
recognition by United Against Nuclear Iran and will do whatever I can to
prevent Michigan tax dollars from going to nations set on nuclear
proliferation' Two of Pscholka's constituents, Brian Kordansky and Dave
Ravitch, also received the award." http://t.uani.com/12CaN1W
NYT:
"For Syrian and Iranian citizens living in the Gulf, finding a bank
to deal with just became a little tougher. Banks like Barclays and HSBC
have begun turning away new customers from countries that are facing
sanctions. They are closing down some existing accounts, further
isolating Syrian and Iranian citizens from the global financial
industry... Also under the new measures, Syrian or Iranian customers with
bank balances of less than 100,000 dirhams, or $27,225, will be asked to
close their accounts within 30 days. Customers with salaries of less than
15,000 dirhams will also be affected. This is because the cost to the
bank of making the enquiries necessary to enforce compliance is higher
than the benefit or 'profit potential' of keeping a customer with a small
bank balance. It is cheaper for HSBC to close an account or not to open a
new one with a balance of less than 100,000 dirhams." http://t.uani.com/WKTCfG
Terrorism
WSJ:
"Argentine lawmakers advanced a plan to form a 'Truth Commission'
with Iran that would probe the deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish community
center in Buenos Aires. But the measure approved by the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee on Wednesday and touted by the two governments as a
step forward in the stalled probe is drawing fire both from Jewish
groups, who call it a fruitless endeavor unlikely to result in justice,
and even from Iran, which objects to aspects of the investigation. No one
has been convicted of carrying out the bombing of the AMIA Argentine
Israeli Mutual Aid Association in 1994, which left 85 dead and over 300
injured. The attack came just two years after the bombing of the Israeli
Embassy in Buenos Aires, in which 29 were killed and 242 injured. The
Islamic Jihad Organization claimed responsibility for the embassy attack.
Argentine prosecutors accuse Iran of masterminding the AMIA bombing. In
2007, Interpol issued a notice to arrest five Iranians accused by
Argentina of involvement, including current defense minister Ahmad
Vahidi." http://t.uani.com/12iR9MT
Reuters:
"Iran has denied allegations that it has been supplying Islamist
militants in Somalia with weapons, describing the charges as 'absurd
fabrications,' according to a letter obtained by Reuters on Thursday. As
the United States pushes for an end to the U.N. arms embargo on Somalia,
U.N. monitors following Somalia sanctions are warning that Islamist
militants in the Horn of Africa nation are receiving weapons from
distribution networks linked to Yemen and Iran, diplomats told Reuters.
According to the latest findings by the U.N. Security Council's
monitoring group, which tracks compliance with U.N. sanctions on Somalia
and Eritrea, most illicit arms are coming into northern Somalia - that
is, the autonomous Puntland and Somaliland regions - after which they are
moved farther south into strongholds of Islamist al Shabaab
militants." http://t.uani.com/XEWjPh
Syrian Uprising
WSJ:
"A senior commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen.
Hassan Shateri, was assassinated on Tuesday, Iranian news agencies said.
Gen. Shateri was killed outside Iran by 'Zionist agents,' according to
some Iranian news agencies. Iranian news site Balagh and a person with
knowledge of the situation said he was killed in Syria, making him the
highest-ranking Iranian official killed in Syria's uprising. He was a
senior commander in the Quds Forces, the IRGC unit that serves outside
Iran's borders training proxy militia and safeguarding the Islamic
Republic's interests in places like Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan,
according to the person with knowledge of the situation. Gen. Shateri
headed Iran's efforts to help southern Lebanon rebuild after the 2006 war
with Israel, according to Iranian media, which said he had arrived in
Beirut immediately after the conflict." http://t.uani.com/X6B6xO
Human Rights
Iran Human Rights:
"One prisoner was publicly hanged in Tehran today. According to the
state run Iranian news agency Fars the man was convicted of murdering two
girls in 2005. The public execution was carried out early this morning at
'Madani Street' east of Tehran. The prisoner was not identified by name
in the official Iranian media, but according to Iran Human Rights'
sources his name was 'Ali Mohammad Zadeh'. Fars news agency also
published pictures from the Iranian security forces' campaign of
arresting 'thugs' in Tehran. The pictures show that masked security
forces put several young men on display in public and humiliate them
(Pictures below). Iran Human Rights (IHR) condemns today's public
execution and public humiliation of the young Iranians under the pretext
of 'fighting the thugs.'" http://t.uani.com/VWMVTU
Opinion &
Analysis
Ray Takeyh in LAT:
"On Feb. 26, the United States and Iran will once more resume their
diplomatic ritual, in the so-called six-party talks, over Iran's disputed
nuclear program. As the two perennial adversaries eye one another, there
are competing paradigms about how to deal with Tehran. An emerging school
of thought suggests that the best means of 'testing' Iran is to offer it
a final nuclear agreement that presumably promises measurable relief from
sanctions for significant Iranian concessions. Iran's failure to grasp
such an offer would then conclusively demonstrate to both domestic and
international audiences that the cause of the impasse is not American
belligerence but Iranian truculence. But this approach fails to recognize
that an arms-control process is necessarily an incremental one, nor does
it offer a practical substitute to the existing step-by-step diplomacy.
Iran's nuclear program encompasses a vast complex of enrichment
facilities, centrifuge construction plants, uranium extraction companies
and thousands of scientists working in university and government
laboratories. Iran is enriching uranium at both 5% and 20% levels,
experimenting with high-velocity centrifuges and seemingly in the process
of constructing additional enrichment facilities. Such a multilayered,
multifaceted program can be dealt with only on a piecemeal basis, as the
technical details and rules for inspections are too complex to be
addressed in a single agreement. Moreover, should the United States offer
Iran a final deal, Tehran still has a right to contest and negotiate its
provisions and offer counterproposals. The international community is
unlikely to concede to either more sanctions or the use of force until
Iran's objections are taken into full consideration. As such, a grand
deal that is supposed to provoke a moment of clarity is likely to be
enmeshed in the existing, protracted arms-control process. Another
complication is the advent of public opinion and critical constituencies
in Iran devoted to the perpetuation of the program. The growing public
sentiment is that Iran has a right to acquire a nuclear capability. As
the program matures, it is becoming a source of pride for a citizenry
accustomed to the revolution's setbacks and failures. Also emerging is a
bureaucratic and scientific establishment with its own parochial
considerations for sustaining the nuclear investment. A clerical
leadership that is dealing with a restive population and empowered
security services cannot easily dispense with its nuclear trump card. All
this suggests that the best means of addressing Iran's nuclear challenge
is to mitigate its most dangerous dimensions. The focus should remain on
Iran's high-grade enrichment and its underground nuclear facility nestled
in mountains outside Qom. Tehran seems to have conceived an ingenious
path to nuclear advancement, one that involves increasing the size and
sophistication of its civilian atomic apparatus to the point where it can
quickly surge into a bomb. While staying within the rules of the
International Atomic Energy Agency's inspection process, Iran is
essentially expanding its capabilities while shielding them under the
veneer of legality. Given the fact that much of civilian nuclear
technology can easily be misappropriated for military purposes, Iran can
construct an elaborate nuclear infrastructure while remaining within IAEA
guidelines." http://t.uani.com/XOSyFb
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Eye on Iran is a periodic news summary from United Against
Nuclear Iran (UANI) a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear
Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the
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commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a
regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons. UANI is an
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