Connect to share and comment

UN atomic agency, Iran to meet May 15

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 13:46
The UN atomic agency said Tuesday it will hold a new round of talks with Iran on May 15 in Vienna on suspected nuclear bomb-making efforts by Tehran. The meeting is "aimed at finalising a structured approach to resolving outstanding issues related to the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme," International Atomic Energy Agency spokeswoman Gill Tudor said. Iran has consistently rejected as unfounded what the IAEA calls "overall, credible" evidence that until 2003 and possibly since, it conducted nuclear weapons research.

U.N. nuclear watchdog says Iran meeting set for mid-May

April 23, 2013 12:00
VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday it will hold a new meeting with Iran on May 15 aimed at enabling its inspectors to resume a stalled investigation into suspected nuclear bomb research by the Islamic state. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been trying for more than a year to coax Iran into granting IAEA officials the access to sites, documents and officials they want for their inquiry. Tehran says its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

Iran's wooing of Africa yields scant results as sanctions bite

April 23, 2013 11:01
By David Lewis DAKAR (Reuters) - Before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started a visit to Niger last week, there was talk that the poor West African state might add Iran to its list of buyers for the uranium mined in its remote desert north. Such a deal would have alarmed world powers seeking to have Iran curb its shadowy nuclear programme. But the outcome of Ahmadinejad's trip was far less spectacular: an agreement on visas for diplomats and another on health cooperation.

Iran offers to be West's "reliable partner" in Middle East

April 23, 2013 09:45
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - Iran said on Tuesday it would be a "reliable partner" in the Middle East if Western countries would take a more cooperative approach in talks on its nuclear programme. Western powers blame tension with Iran in part on its refusal to fully cooperate with United Nations calls for curbs on its nuclear activity to ensure it is for peaceful purposes only, and to open up to investigations by U.N. inspectors.

US-Israel arms deal to destabilise region

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 07:16
Iran criticised on Tuesday a US deal to sell advanced missiles and aircraft to Israel, saying the move will only destabilise the region. "This kind of aid will only lead to instability and insecurity in the region," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters at his weekly press conference. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, who touted the deal during his trip to Israel, has said it sends Iran a "very clear signal" that military action to stop its controversial nuclear programme is still an option.

Pentagon chief meets Netanyahu at end of Israel visit

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 03:15
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel was meeting Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday at the end of a three-day trip which saw him touting strong backing for Israel despite differences over Iran's nuclear project. With US-Israeli relations strained over questions about the imminence of the threat posed by Iran's nuclear programme and Hagel dogged by his past criticisms of Israel, the Pentagon chief has stressed his full-throated support for the Jewish state in his first visit as defence secretary.

UN atomic agency in talks with Iran about new meeting

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 10:45
The UN atomic agency said Monday that it was discussing with Iran possible dates for what would be the 10th round of talks since late 2011 on Tehran's suspected nuclear bomb-making efforts. "I can confirm we are discussing possible dates of a meeting with Iran," International Atomic Energy Agency spokeswoman Gill Tudor said. She declined to comment however on Iranian media reports suggesting that the two sides would meet on May 21 in Vienna, where the agency has its headquarters.

Government blocks Shell paying Iran oil debt in food, medicine

April 22, 2013 09:15
By Richard Mably LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has blocked efforts by oil major Royal Dutch Shell <RDSa.L> to settle a $2.3 billion (1.5 billion pounds) debt it owes Iran by paying in kind with grains or pharmaceuticals, industry sources said. Shell has been trying for months to find a way to work around international sanctions that prevent it paying in currency for crude it bought from the National Iranian Oil Company before a European Union embargo on Iran that started last July.

Hosting US defence chief, Israel hints at patience on Iran

April 22, 2013 08:46
By David Alexander and Dan Williams TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israel suggested on Monday it would be patient before taking any military action against Iran's nuclear programme, saying during a visit by U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel there was still time for other options.

Hague: No need for new sanctions measures on Iran

April 22, 2013 07:00
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - The European Union should focus on implementing its current sanctions against Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme rather than imposing new measures for the moment, Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Monday. Hague was speaking days after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry asked for patience from U.S. senators pressing for tougher sanctions over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, saying there is uncertainty in Iran two months before its June 14 election.
Syndicate content