Iranian Nuclear Crisis Timeline
From dKosopedia
July-August 2007
- Iran and the IAEA reach an agreement in July, and IAEA's inspectors begin visiting the heavy water research reactor at Arak, and holding talks with a UN technical team on guidelines for inspecting its uranium enrichment plant at Natanz. In August they agreed on a timeline for more comprehensive inspections. (Source: UN-Iran nuclear talks 'positive', BBC News, August 21, 2007)
May 30, 2007
- Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani rejects suspending uranium enrichment: "Suspension is not a solution to Iran's nuclear issue...Iran cannot accept suspension. We have no conditions and we are ready for constructive talks but we will not accept any preconditions. We are ready to remove concerns over Iran's atomic issue." Source: n.a. "Iran refuses to suspend nuclear program-Larijani." RIA Novosti. May 30, 2007. News Source.
- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says that the IAEA is not the right body to represent the international community in negotiations with Iran: "The IAEA is not an agency that is in negotiation with the Iranians. I just think it's appropriate for those six states to determine what the diplomatic course ought to be." Source: Anne Geagan. "Rice: World Should Not Soften on Iran." Guardian Unlimited. May 30, 2007. News Source.
May 28, 2007
- U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Kazemi-Qomi negotiate for four hours, primarily about security in Iraq. Source: Ross Corwin. "U.S. Tells Iran To Stop Backing Iraq Militias." Reuters. May 28, 2007. News Source. Note the biased title of this article. The title "Iran Tells U.S. to End Its Occupation" would have made as much sense in describing the meeting. For some reason reporter Corwin only got or used quotes from the American side.
May 26, 2007
- Sounding defensive, the Iranian intelligence agency issues statement broadcast on state-run television claiming that it roled up foreign spy networks and promised more information in the futurte: "These spy networks were operating under the guidance of the occupiers' intelligence services and with the support of some influential Iraqi groups and factions...The detailed news will be announced in the next few days." Source: n.a. "Iran Uncovers U.S. Spy Networks." Aljazeera.com. May 27, 2007. News Source.
May 24, 2007
- IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei predicts that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in 3-8 years: ""I tend, based on our analysis, to agree with people like John Negroponte and the new director of the CIA, who are saying that even if Iran wanted to go for a nuclear weapon, it would not be before the end of this decade or sometime in the middle of the next decade. In other words three to eight years from now. Iran needs to suspend its enrichment activities as a confidence-building measure but the international community should do its utmost to engage Iran in comprehensive dialogue." Source: Mark John. "Iran Probably 3-8 Years Off Nuclear Bomb: IAEA." Reuters. May 24, 2007. News Source
May 23, 2007
- CBC reports conclusions from an IAEA report that Iran is preventing it from monitoring Iranian nuclear activities. The report reads: "Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities. It should be noted that because the agency has not been receiving, for over a year, information that Iran used to provide, including under the Additional Protocol, the agency's level of knowledge of certain aspects of Iran's nuclear related activities has deteriorated." Source: n.a. "Iran Still Ignoring Warnings From UN, Nuclear Agency Says." CBC.ca May 23, 2007. News Report
- Gunboat diplomacy. Nine U.S. Navy warships, including the USS John C. Stennis, USS Nimitz, and the USS Bonhomme Richard enter the Persian Gulf in preparation for a "showing the flag" exercise that begins on May 24. U.S. navy spokesperson refuses to answer the question whether warships were equipped with nuclear arms. Source: Mohammed Abbas. "U.S. Navy Begins War Games On Iran's Doorstep." Reuters. May 24, 2007. News Source
May 22, 2007
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko and they pledge to act jointly to counter attempts to exert pressure by the OECD countries. Source: Andrei Makhovsky. "Iran, Belarus To Stand Together Against Critics." Reuters. May 22, 2007.
May 19, 2007
- At the World Economic Forum Mohammed J.A. Larijani, Director of Iran's Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, descibes the sanctions against Iran as "unjust, unfair and illegal" and comments: "The Western countries, with this prejudice they have, they are not going to give any reactor to any country in the area...The brothers in the Gulf should point to the Americans that the area does not have the capability or the ability to tolerate another military adventure." Source: n.a. "Iran seeks Arab support for nuclear program." Associated Press and International Herald Tribune. May 20, 2007. News Report
May 18, 2007
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz thinks that states have a "right" to develop dangerous technology: "Negotiation is the only way to settle Iran's nuclear issue. Imposing force on Iran's nuclear dossier will bring disastrous consequences. Pakistan believes using nuclear energy peacefully is the right of all countries." Source: n.a. "Pakistan PM: Negotiation The Only Way To Settle Iran's Nuclear Issue." IRNA. May 18, 2007 News Source (Doesn't claiming that a state has rights make an idol of the nation-state?)
May 15, 2007
- David Albright, Director of the Institute for Science and International Security, estimates that Iran will not have enough enrtiched uranium for a single nuclear weapon until 2009 at the earliest: "Iran's been making slow but steady progress. We think Iran has been moving faster than (the U.S. government) has anticipated." Source: William J. Kole. "Iran Nuclear Progress 'Slow but Steady'." The Guardian. May 16, 2007. News Report
May 14, 2007
- More bluster from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who threatens "severe" retaliation against any U.S. attack: "They realize that if they make such a mistake the retaliation of Iran would be severe and they will repent. All people know they cannot strike us. Iran is capable of defending itself. It is a strong country." Source: Diala Saadeh. "Iran Vows "severe" Response If U.S. Attacks." Reuters. May 14, 2007. News Source
- While on a visit across the Persian Gulf to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for U.S. troops to leave their bases in the Gulf and defended Iranian nuclear development: "The superpowers cannot prevent us from owning this. If they want to strike us militarily, I say their use of these practices will be gone forever. The Iranian people can protect themselves and retaliate." Source: Jim Krane. "Iranian Leader Works to End US-Gulf Ties." The Guardian. May 15, 2007.
- IAEA Inspectors find 1300 centrifuges running smoothly at the Natanz plant. IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei concludes: "We believe they pretty much have the knowledge about how to enrich. From now on, it is simply a question of perfecting that knowledge. People will not like to hear it, but that’s a fact." Source: David E. Sanger. "Inspectors Cite Big Gain by Iran on Nuclear Fuel." The New York Times. May 14, 2007. News Source
May 11, 2007
- U.S. Vice President Richard B. "Dick" Cheney taunts the Iranians rhetorically: "We'll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region." Source: n.a. "Cheney Vows Iran Will Not Get Nuclear Weapons." Breitbart. May 11, 2007. News Report. (Apparently only the Americans, British and Israelis are allowed to possess nuclear weapons and dominate the region.)
May 9, 2007
- Hossein Mousavian is released by Iranian authorities on a $225,000 bail. Government spokesperson Gholam Hossein Elham offered almost effectively no information when he stated that the arrest on April 30, "was not necessarily related to the nuclear issue." Source: Nasser Karimi. "Iran Releases Former Nuclear Negotiator." The Guardian. May 10, 2007. News Report
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad-Ali Hosseini asserts that his country's nuclear program is completely peaceful and that there is no reason for concern: "The Islamic Republic of Iran's activities in peaceful use of nuclear energy has always been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community and the Agency's reports testify that there is no room for concern over Iran's nuclear activities." Source: n.a. "Spokesman: Iran's Nuclear Program is Peaceful." IRNA. May 9. 2007 News Report. (Then why all the secrecy about the program?)
May 7, 2007
- Diplomatic Conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in Vienna remains "stalled" by Iranian opoosition to language in the text.
May 5, 2007
- Fars News Agency reports that former Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian had been jailed on charges of espionage. Source: Frances Harrison "Iran's Nuclear Negotiator 'Spied'." BBC News. May 5, 2007. News Report
May 4, 2007
- Republican Presidential candidates former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Senator John McCain engage in rhetorical out-bidding on Iran. Giuliani claimed that attacking Iran would be "very dangerous" but that allowing nuclear arms "in the hands of an irrational person" like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be worse. McCain said that attacking Iran would be a last resort if it went nuclear but that "our intelligence tells us that this is a real threat to the state of Israel, to other states in the region." Source: Tony Czuczka. "Republican Hopefuls Blast Iran, Reject Iraq Pullout." Monsters and Critics. May 4m 2007. News Report (So why didn't McCain name the "other countries in the region?" No votes to be had from mentioning Arab countries? Or was it because Iran poses an even less plausible threat to them than it does to Israel?)
May 3, 2007
- More of the same nationalist rhetoric from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "Today, Iranians are prepared to take a leap forward, but the enemies, ill-wishers and colonial powers are against the progress, development and welfare of our nation. Given the presence of colonial forces in Iran over the past 150 years and their continued antagonism and aggressions on our country after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, they have been targeting our independence. Given their failure to materialize their goals, they seek to prevent the progress of Iranian nation by launching psychological war. They presume that by imposing economic sanctions against Iran as well as misusing the United Nations, they can disrupt the progress of Iranian nation...Our enemies oppose what they call production of nuclear weapons and bombs, whereas, they themselves are producers and exporters of various types of such arms and use them against world nations. Today our nation is united and willing to hold talks based on reason and within the framework of law. Iranians are against aggression, bullying and extremism. However the enemies should be aware that the nation will not even give up an iota of its rights." Source: n.a. "President: Iran Never Gives Up Inalienable Right." IRNA. May 3, 2007.
May 1, 2007
- Former chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian, who served before Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected president of Iran, is arrested by 8 security officers (spy hunters?). Source: n.a. "Iran Nuclear Official 'Detained'." BBC. May 2, 2007. News Report
- Iranian diplomat (un-named in news reports for some reason) to the Vienna nuclear non-proliferation conference opposes text that would re-state need for treaty members to fully comply with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
- U.S. State Department once again designates Iran as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Also named among the designated ideological enemy states are Cuba, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Once again NOT named is Pakistan, a sometimes close U.S. ally that the Indian government accuses of sponsoring terrorism in Indian Kashmir. See 2006 State Sponsors of Terrorism
April 27, 2007
- EU "Foreign Minister" Javier Solana urges the U.S. to engage Iran in direct negotiations concernign the latter's nuclear program and the Middle East. Source: Robert Weilaard. "Top EU Official Urges U.S.-Iran Talks." The Guardian. April 28. 2007.
April 26, 2007
- Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani comments after meeting with EU "Foreign Minister" Javier Solana and Turkish Foreign Minister Abdulla Gul: "In some areas we are approaching a united view. We are aiming to reach out for a common paradigm." Source: n.a. "Iranian Negotiator Reports Progress in Talks With EU About Enrichment." International Herald Tribune. April 26, 2007. News Report
April 24, 2007
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Seyed Mohammad Hossein Hosseini commented that EU "Foreign Minister" Javier Solana had set no preconditions for Iranian-EU negotiations on the Iranian uranium-enrichment program. Source: n.a. "No Condition for Iran-EU Nuclear Talks-Spokesman." IRNA. April 24, 2007. News Source
April 23, 2007
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offers to deak directly with U.S. President George W. Bush: "Last year, I announced readiness for a televised debate over global issues with his excellency Mr. Bush. And now we announce that I am ready to negotiate with him about bilateral issues as well as regional and international issues." Source: Nasser Karimi. "Iran's Leader Proposes Talks With Bush." The Guardian. April 23, 2007.
April 22, 2007
- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sounds reasonable on Isreal Radio: "I believe the international efforts will achieve the goals. There is no need to get caught up in any apocalyptic prophecies that have no basis in reality. Iran is far from crossing the nuclear threshold ... Unfortunately, it is not as far as I would like it to be but it is also not as close as it proclaims to be." Source: Aron Heller. "Olmert: Iran's Nukes Can Be Stopped." The Guardian. April 22, 2007. News Report
April 20, 2007
- IRNA quotes President of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Gholamreza Aghazadeh as saying that Iranian enriched uranium fuel autonomy is years away: "Installation of centrifuges continues and each month inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), when they come to Tehran, will see important changes. We have reached the industrial stage, but we need several years to create an industrial unit capable of producing fuel for our power stations. We must install 50,000 centrifuges to be able to provide the fuel for two nuclear stations." Source: n.a. "Iran Needs Several Years to Make Nuclear Fuel-Iran Atomic Energy Agency Head." Forbes.com. Aptil 20, 2007. News Report.
- Iranian Vice President Gholam Reza Aghazadeh urges that the West to help build nuclear power plants across Iran. Source: Ali Akbar Dareini. "Iran: West Should Build Nuclear Plants." Associated Press. April 21, 2007. News Report
April 19, 2007
- Triumph of the Resolve? In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Isreali PM Ehud Olmert, Isreali Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni comments on will: "The free world is tested by the countries under threat from Iran, especially its Arab and Muslim neighbors. Every hesitation is interpreted as weakness and is liable to lead to an effort to appease Iran. Only the world's resolve can preserve the 'moderate camp.'" Source: n.a. "Gates Placates Israel on US's Planned Arms Sale to Saudis." The Jerusalem Post. April 19, 2007. News Report
April 18, 2007
- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates holds discussions with Isreali Defense Minister Amir Peretz and offers positive comment about diplomacy: "We agreed it was important to deal with the Iranian nuclear problem through diplomacy, which appears to be working." Source: Yaakov Katz. "Gates: Diplomacy Toward Iran Effective." The Jerusalem Post. April 18, 2007, News Report.
April 16, 2007
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad-Ali Hosseini remarks that Iran and Egypt were the first countries to advocate creating a nuclear weapons free Middle East. Source: n.a. "Spokesman: A Middle East free from nuclear weapons first proposed by Iran, Egypt." IRNA. April 16, 2007. News Report
April 15, 2007
- Baztab reports that Deputy Chief of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ahmad Fayyazbakhsh announced that his governemnt would be takign bids for the purchase of two $1.7 billion nulcear plants. U.S. firms woulod be free to bid. Source: Ramin Mostaghim and Louise Roug. "Iran Aims to Build 2 Nuclear Plants." Los Angeles Times and Seattle Times. April 16, 2007. News Source
April 13, 2007
- Iranian Ambassador to Spain Davoud Salehi reiterates the claim that Iran has the "right" under the NPT to develop peaceful nuclear power. "Uranium enrichment is conducted in Iran just for peaceful objectives to generate electricity...As a signatory to the NPT, Iran has so far fulfilled all its commitments and duties. It, however, demands the rights stipulated in the treaty for it." Source: n.a. "Iran Stresses Its Nuclear Rights As An NPT Member, Says Envoy." IRNA. April 14, 2007. News Report (But is it cover for a nuclear weapons program as was the case in India and Pakistan?)
April 12, 2007
- Speaking in Riyadh, IAEA Director Mohammed ElBaradei offered a more realistic assessemnt of the Iranian nuclear weapons potential: "Iran is still just at the beginning stages in setting up its Natanz enrichment facility. The talk of building a facility with 50,000 centrifuges is just at the beginning, and it is (currently) only in the hundreds...It has not been demonstrated until now that there are underground nuclear facilities in Iran working covertly, and Iran doesn't have the material that can be used to make a nuclear weapon." Source: Donna Abu-Nasr. "UN Nuke Chief: Iran's Program Limited." Associated Press. April 12, 2007. News Report
April 11, 2007
- U.S. State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns asserts that war with Iran was neither "inevitable or desirable" and that Tehran was susceptible to international pressure. Source: Jay Lindsay. "Burns: Diplomacy Will Work With Iran, Over Time." Associated Press and Boston.com. April 11, 2007. News Report
April 10, 2007
- South Africa's Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils expressed his government's support for the Islamic Republic's legal right to advance its peaceful nuclear program. Source: n.a. "S.Africa Praises Iran Nuclear Program." Press TV. March 11, 2007. News Report
April 9, 2007
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announces that Iran was now capable of enriching nuclear fuel "on an industrial scale." Source: Nazila Fathi & Christine Hauser. "Iran’s President Sees Progress in Nuclear Program." The New York Times. April 9, 2007. News Report
- White House National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Gordon Johndroe states: ""We are very concerned about Iran's announcement that they entered an industrial stage of nuclear fuel production. Iran continues to defy the international community and further isolate itself by expanding its nuclear program, rather than suspending uranium enrichment." Source: n.a. "W.House 'Very Concerned' on Iran Nuclear Statement." Reuters. April 9, 2007. News Report
April 8, 2007
- Logic has different national perspectives? Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Ali Hosseini seems to think so: "The [uranium] enrichment suspension contradicts the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We have repeatedly stated that a moratorium [on uranium enrichment] is not logical from Iran's viewpoint." Source: n.a. "Iran Will Continue Uranium Enrichment-Official." RIA Novosti. April 8, 2007. News Report (What a brilliant scientific advance the Iranians have made in determining that logic is not universal but varies parochially!)
April 7, 2007
- Iranian Ambassador to Britain Rasoul Movahedian demonstrates lack of subtlety in diplomacy: "Now it is up to the British government to proceed in a positive way. We will welcome in general any steps that could defuse tensions in the region." Source: Jill Lawless. "Iranian: U.K. Can Help Mend Relations." Associated Press & The Guardian. April 8, 2007. News Report.
April 6, 2007
- British and American news media scramble to assist British government public relations effort to undo any damage done by the confessions given by the 15 British military personnel now freed from Iranian custody. CNN refers to them as "detainees" and Fox News described them as having been "detained." Drawing too explicit a parallel to the POWs at Guantanamo Bay poses obvious rhetorical risks.
- Brent price reaches $70 a barrel because of rumors of a U.S. airstrike in Iran.
April 5, 2007
- Released 15 British miltiary prisoners of the Iranian government arrive in Britain. British Prime Minister Tony Blair insists that there was no negotiation for their release. Syrian officials that they play a role in the release. Source: n.a. "British Sailors and Marines Held Captive in Iran Arrive in London." Associated Press. April 5, 2007.
- British authorities announce that 4 British military personnel and their Kuwaiti interpreter have been killed in Basra, Iraq.
- British Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, Defence Select Committee, complains that the focus on the the 15 British military personnel in Iranian custody divert attention from the Iranian nuclear program: "We have had a huge setback. We should have spent the last few weeks discussing the UN sanctions that were applied two weeks ago--funnily enough at the same time as these servicemen were captured." Source: n.a. "'No deal done with Iran'--Blair." BBC News. April 5, 2007. News Report
- U.S. State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack states that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is open to negotiations with Iran at the ministerial: "We will not exclude any particular diplomatic interaction. There was one at the envoys level...and the same would hold true for the secretary." Source: n.a. "Rice Open to Bilateral Talks With Iran at Iraq Neighbors Meeting." Reuters. April 5, 2007.
April 4, 2007
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announces that 15 British military prisoners will be released the following day. Ahmadinejad postures as a benign leader for the television cameras. Most news sources in the U.S. stop referring to them as "hostages" and begin referring to them as "captives."
April 3, 2007
- During a televised press conference U.S. Pres. George W. Bush claims that the Iranian nuclear issue is the "cornerstone" of U.S. policy towards Iran. By implication control over the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf and the U.S. quagmire in next door Shi'a majority Iraq are not as important.
- British Prime Minister Tony Blair comments on the British military prisoners held by the Iranian government: "The next 48 hours will be fairly critical." British tabloids hysterical with war fever. Consider the title of the news report in this Source: n.a. "Blair: We've 48 Hours to Save Sailors." This Island London. April 3, 2007. News Report
April 2, 2007
- ABC News reports an intelligence estimate that Iran could produce a nuclear warhead by 2009. Brian Ross and Christopher Isham. "Exclusive: Iran Nuclear Bomb Could Be Possible by 2009." ABC News. April 2, 2007. The report is pooh-poohed as patently bogus by Sean-Paul Kelley. Note that the claim later disappears. Will Brian Ross and Christopher Isham retract it?
- Iranian state radio reports that all 15 of Iran's British miltiary prisoners held captive by Iran have confessed to illegally entering Iranian waters. Source: Naser Karimi. "Iranian radio Reports "Positive Changes." Associated Press. April 2, 2007. News Report
April 1, 2007
- RIA Novosti quotes Russian official asserting that, "Russian intelligence has information that the US Armed Forces stationed in the Persian Gulf have nearly completed preparations for a missile strike against Iranian territory." Source: n.a. "US Ready to Strike Iran on Good Friday'." Jerusalem Post. April 1, 2007. Jerusalem Post Article
- Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin claims that Iran, Syria and Hizbullah are preparing for a possible military confrontation with the United States this summer: "Their preparation is defensive ahead of war … They fear a war initiated by the Americans because they understand that there might be an attack against Iran over the summer, but not by Israel." Source: Ronny Sofer. "IDF intelligence: Iran, Hizbullah Preparing for Possible US Strike." YNet.News.com. April 1, 2007. News Report (This isn't even creative.)
March 31, 2007
- Q: Would Bush miss a chance to posture as tough guy? A: Not if it would change the subject in Washington. "Iran must give back the hostages," demands domestically embattled U.S. Pres. George W. Bush. "They're innocent, they did nothing wrong, and they were summarily plucked out of waters." Source: Deb Reichmann. "Bush Calls for Iran to Free U.K. Sailors." Associated Press. March 31, 2007. News Report
- Gordon Prather argues that Any Casus Belli Will Do for a U.S. attack on Iran.
March 30, 2007
- British Prime Minister Tony Blair comments on Iranian state television's broadcast of a second confession by a British military prisoner: "I really don't know why the Iranian regime keep doing this. All it does is enhances people's sense of disgust. It doesn't fool anyone." Source: Robin Stringer & Caroline Alexander. "Iran Airs Briton's `Confession', Wants `Guarantee' (Update2)." Bloomberg. March 30, 2007. News Report
- Jingoism seizes Iranians. Muslim cleric tells the devout during Friday prayers that, "Britain is an aggressor and Iran has confronted it." An estimated 60,000 football (soccer) fans chant "Death to Britain" at a match in Tehran and 700 people at rally near Tehran University chant at "We condemn the British invasion!" Source: Nasser Karimi. "Second Captive Briton Apologizes to Iran." The Washington Post. March 30, 2007.
- CNN News follows the lead of Fox News in describing the 15 British miltiary prisoners of the Iranian government as "hostages."
- Iranian Ambassador to Russia Gholam-Reza Ansari tells Russian television Vesti-24 that the 15 British military prisoners in Iranian custody, "will be tried if there is enough evidence of guilt." Source: Naser Karimi. "Iranian Official: Sailors May Be Tried." Associated Press. March 31, 2007.
March 29, 2007
- Iran demands apology from Britain for what it described as an incursion into Iranian waters by the British Navy. Iranian spokesgeneral General Alireza Afshar states: "The logical solution...is for the British authorities to accept the reality, present their apologies to the great Iranian people." Source: n.a. "Britain Takes Iran to UN, Woman Sailor Remains Captive." Agence France Presse. March 29, 2007.
- European Union "Foreign Minister" Javier Solana uses appropriately toned diplomatic language in speaking before the European Parliament about the Iranian nuclear crisis: "There is no alternative, ladies and gentlemen, to negotiations and we must resume negotiations as soon as possible." Source: James G. Neuberger. "EU Presses for Iran Nuclear Talks, Condemns Arrests (Update5)." March 29, 2007.
- The UN Security Council recommended that release its 15 British miltiary prisoners and stated that the members wanted, "an early resolution to this problem." Source: Janine Zacharia & Paul Tighe. "Iran Should Free U.K. Sailors, Security Council Says (Update2)." Bloomberg. March 30, 2007.
- John Stewart of the Comedy Channel's Daily Show refers to the 15 British military prisoners held by the Iranian government as "hostages." 11:00 ET. (Not that the Daily Show writers have ever been 'picky' about the words used by others.)
March 28, 2007
- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki insists on his country's "rights" to nculear power development: "Iran's nuclear activities are fully clear and transparent and we will continue our activities until restoration of our nation's legitimate rights." n.a. "Mottaki: Iran Not To Relinquish Nuclear Rights." IRNA. March 28, 2007.
- Iranian cabinet orders the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) to adopt new rule that renouces a subsidiary undertaking under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran will no longer report new facility projects 6 months before initiation but will instead report them when they begin. Source: n.a. "IAEO Assigned to Drop Subsidiary Undertakings to NPT." IRNA. March 28, 2007. News Report
- On The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr refers to the British sailors and marines in Iranian custody as "hostages." 5:05 ET.
March 26, 2007
- EU "Foreign Minister" Javier Solana annoucnes that he will resume negotiations with Iran over the nuclear program. Source: n.a. "Europe To Resume Nuke Talks With Iran." 'CBS News & Associated Press. March 26, 2007.
- In a joint statement Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao urge the Iranian government to "search for a comprehensive, long-term and mutually acceptable solution to the Iranian nuclear problem." Source: n.a. "Russia, China Urge Iran to Heed U.N." Guardian. March 26, 2007. News Report
- Iran resumes payments to Russia for the Bushehr nuclear facility. Source: n.a. "Tehran 'Begins Nuclear Payments'." BBC News'. March 26, 2007.
March 25, 2007
- UN Security Council passes UN Resolution imposing additional sanctions on Iran. In defending the desision the U.S. Ambassador to the UN Alejandro Wolff describes the creation of the UN itself and suggests that the Holocaust was an event somehow seperate and distinct from the other bloodshed of the Second World War. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki appears at the meeting instead of Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and excoriates the decision. Source: n.a. "FM: Iran's Nuclear Program Is Completely Peaceful." IRNA. March 25, 2007.
- British Prime Minister Tony Blair describes the continuing detention of 15 British naval personel arrested by Iranian naval forces on March 23 as ""serious, unjustified and wrong". Source: Mark Tran & Mark Oliver. "Q&A: the Seized British Sailors." The Guardian. March 28, 2005.
March 24, 2007
- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expresses his governemnt's disapproval of any Security Council punitive action against Iran. Source: n.a. "India PM Calls for Return of Iran's Case to IAEA." IranMania. March 24, 2007. India acquired nuclear weapons under the cover of an official non-military nuclear power program, in the much the same manner that Isreal did and Iran is now attempting to do.
- U.S. Ambassador to the UN Alejandro Wolff stated that Iran could easily end the sanctions to be imposed today by the UN Security Council by ending uranium enrichment "It is suspension for suspension. It is not a high bar for Iran to meet." Source: Evelyn Leopold. "U.N. Council Ready to Tighten Sanctions on Iran." Reuters & Washington Post. March 24, 2007.
- Captured British Marines "confess" to being in Iranian waters when they were taken into custody by Iranian military, a claim possibly supported by the Iraqi military commander of the area, Gen. Hakim Jassim: "We were informed by Iraqi fishermen after they had returned from sea that there were British gunboats in an area that is out of Iraqi control. We don't know why they were there," he told AP Television News. Source: Ali Akbar Dareini. Iran: U.K. Troops Admit To Illegal Entry." Associated Press & Houston Chronicle. March 24, 2007. News Report
- ABC Evening News describes Iran as a "renegade" nation. Renegade was the term the U.S. government often used to label Native American rebels who fled reservations for the freedom they enjoyed before subjugation.
March 23, 2007
- Daniel Wendell, Bern, Switzerland U.S. Embassy spokesperson Daniel Wendell announces that the Iranian passports for visa applications for Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials had been handed over. Source: n.a. "U.S.: Ahmadinejad Visa en Route to Iran." Associated Press. March 23, 2007.
- Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cancels his appearance before the UN Security Counil. Source: Evelyn Leopold. "U.N. Council Ready to Tighten Sanctions on Iran." Reuters & Washington Post. March 24, 2007.
- Iranian naval forces arrest 15 British Royal Navy sailors and marines on boats near the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett demands explanation for Iranian arrest of 15 British personnel: "We have asked for a full explanation on what has happened and we are leaving them in no doubt that we want the immediate and safe return of our personnel and their equipment." Source: n.a. "Britain Demands Explanation for Iran's Detention of Sailors and Marines." Associated Press & International Herald Tribune. March 23, 2007.
March 21, 2007
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov comments that his government "will not support excessive sanctions against Iran" and added that the draft U.S. Security Council resolution on sanctions had been softened at Moscow's behest. Source: Vladimir Isachenkov. "Russia Nixes 'Excessive' Iran Sanctions." Associated Press. March 21, 2007. News Report
- Defiance in a Persian new year speech Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: "Until today, what we have done has been in accordance with international regulations. But if they take illegal actions, we too can take illegal actions and will do so...If they want to treat us with threats and enforcement of coercion and violence, undoubtedly they must know that the Iranian nation and authorities will use all their capacities to strike enemies that attack." Source: Edith M. Lederer. "6 World Powers Seek New Iran Sanctions." The Guardian. March 22, 2007. News Report
March 20, 2007
- This neo-con still wants a war with Iran. Speaking to the conservative Hudson Institute former unconfirmed U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton is ready to give war a chance: "I believe that ultimately the only real prospect of getting Iran to give up nuclear weapons is to change the regime." (How?) "By the force of the Iranian people themselves. But if the alternative is a nuclear Iran, as unpleasant as the use of military force would be, I think the prospect of a nuclear Iran is worse." Source: n.a. "Bolton: Iran Won't Give Up Nuke Ambition." March 21, 2007. Associated Press & CBS News. News Report
March 19, 2007
- Iran prevents IAEA inspectors from visiting an underground bunker at the Natanz facility. n.a. "Iran Stops Inspectors Visiting Nuclear Site: Diplomats." Agence France Presse. March 19, 2007. News Report
March 18, 2007
- U.S. and Isreali military conduct Juniper Cobra joint exericise to practice intercepting entirely ballistic missiles attacking Isreal. U.S. Embassy spokesperson Stewart Tuttle explained that, "It is a computer simulation exercise designed to test the interoperability of the air defense system. The air defense can protect you against whatever happens to be on the warhead." Source: Aron Heller. "Israel, U.S. Test Missile Defense." The Guardian. March 18, 2007. News Report
March 17, 2007
- Commander-in-chief of the regular Iranian Army Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi warns against any "stupid move" by the United States or other Western powers. Source: n.a. "Iran Army Vows to Defend Nuclear Program." Reuters & The New York Times. March 17, 2007. News Report
March 16, 2007
- Iranian IAEA representative Ali Asghar Soltanieh points up the obvious hypocrisy of the British decision to renew its Trident nuclear missile submarinbe fleet while demanding that Iran end its uranium enrichment program: "Britain does not have the right to question others when they're not complying with their obligations (under the NPT). It is very unfortunate that the UK, which is always calling for non-proliferation...not only has not given up the weapons but has taken a serious step towards further development of nuclear weapons." Source: Sophie Walker. "British Nuclear Plans 'Serious Setback'-Iran Envoy." San Deigo Union Leader. March 16, 2007.
- The northern border is safe(r) but the western and northeastern borders are dicey. New Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov voiced support for the Iran's "right" to develop peaceful nuclear power. Source: n.a. "Turkmen President Supports Iran's Peaceful Nuclear Program." IRNA. March 16, 2006.
March 15, 2007
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attempts some new fiery rhetoric: "Using the Security Council as an instrument, the enemies of Iran want to prevent the progress of the Iranian nation. But the Security Council today has no legitimacy among world nations...Today, the Iranian nation fully possesses the nuclear fuel cycle. If all of you gather and also invite your ancestors from hell, you will not be able to stop the Iranian nation." Source: n.a. "Ahmadinejad Says New U.N. Sanctions 'Illegitimate,' Won't Undermine Iran's Nuclear Technology." Associated Press & The International Herlad Tribune. March 15, 2007. News Report (The phrase "ancestors from hell" sounds religious but decidedly un-Abrahamic. Are such oaths kosher in Shiism?)
- IAEA supremeo Mohamed ElBaradei discusses nucvlear proliferation in Iran and North Korea with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai. Source: n.a. "IAEA Chief Exchanges Views With China on Korean Peninsula, Iran Nuclear Issues." People's Daily On-Line. March 15, 2007.
- Jon Stewart of Comedy Central's The Daily Show mocks Iranian complaints that the film 300 is anti-Iranian. Seems that popular culture has never been used to encourage a war fever. Read the Iranian concern explained.
- Reuters reports a skeletal Iranian crisis timeline.
March 14, 2007
- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki pierces the taboo surrounding references to Isreali nuclear proliferation, saying that Isreali nukes pose "a uniquely grave threat to regional and international peace and security and requires to be seriously dealt with by the international community taking practical measures" and that it, "is surprising that while no practical step is taken to contain the real source of nuclear danger in the Middle East, my country is under tremendous pressure to renounce its inalienable right for peaceful use of nuclear energy." Source: n.a. "Iran: Israel, US Threaten Middle East." Fars Mews Agency. March 14, 2007. News Report
- U.N. Security Council President for March, South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, states that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has not officially asked for a meeting: "For us it will only become an issue when we receive a letter from him and he (Iran's U.N. envoy, Mohammad Javad Zarif) had not yet received instructions to write a letter that I would then present to the other members for consideration of what to do." Source: Michelle Nichols. "U.N. Council Says No Request From Iran For Briefing." Reuters. March 14, 2007. News Report
March 13, 2007
- Can a country that can not pay its bills be a major threat? ZAO Atomstroyexport construction supervisor for the Iranian Bushehr nuclear facility Vladimir Pavlov warns that building will halt unless Iran makes the requisite payments: "We can wait no longer for a decision from the Iranian side." Atomstroyexport spokesperson Irina Yesipova commented, "We continue to work, but how quickly and how successfully is unclear. At present, we can't pay for the equipment that Bushehr needs to become operational." Source: Yuriy Humber. "Russia Threatens to Stop Work on Iran Nuclear Reactor (Update2)." Bloomberg. March 13, 2007. News Report
March 12, 2007
- Democratic Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi caves to pressure from Blue Dog Democrats and the Israeli lobby by stripping a provision from a spending bill that would have required President George W. Bush to seek Congressional approval before ordering armed force against Iran. Seemingly incapable of stopping an on-going disastrous war, the Democratic Congressional leadership appears unable to prevent a disastrous widening of the war.
- Israeli righist Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu tells journalists that "There need to be financial sanctions that will hurt Iran. What we are doing against the Hamas government in the Palestinian Authority needs to be done to Iranian president Ahmadinejad." Source: Gil Ronen. "Netanyahu Lobbying US for Iran Disinvestment." Arutz Sheva. March 13, 2007. News Report
March 11, 2007
- Iranian Majlis Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel points of the hypocrisy of ignoring Israeli nuclear weapons and expresses sentiment that, "We hope there would be some wise individuals in the US administration to prevent eruption of a new crisis in the region." Source: n.a. "Speaker Criticizes US Hostile Policies on Iran Nuclear Program." IRNA. March 11, 2007. News Report
- On Meet the Press, neo-conservative U.S. Ambasador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad offers upbeat assessment of his encounter with Iranian diplomats at the multilateral meeting in Baghdad about the future of Iraq. He denies that the second Bush administration has flip-flopped on its original insistence that it would not negotiate with Iran until there is a verifiable halt to the Iranian uranium enrichment program. But then neo-cons are factual relativists.
- Arch-conservative Washington Times columnist Arnaud de Borchgrave reports a "not for attribution" leak from within the delegation of Jordanian King Abdullah claiming that the Jordanian monarch had frightened Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with descriptions of a much more extensive U.S. bombing campaign against Iran. Ahmadinejad reportedly left the meeting "a much chastened and worried man." Source: Arnaud de Borchgrave. "War Clouds' Silver Linings." The Washington Times. March 11, 2007. Column. (When they are not wallowing in fear, conservatives indulge in wishful thinking.)
March 10, 2007
- U.S. and Iranian envoys barely encounter one another at the meeting in Baghdad on the future of Iraq. Yet it was a meeting and thus a flip-flop in the U.S. policy that it would not negotiate with Iran until there is a verifiable halt to the Iranian urananium enrishment program. The decision to invade Iraq and subsequent blunder after blunder in the occupation of Iraq effectively traps the second Bush adminsitration into diplomatic exchange with the Iran government. Mariam Karouny. "U.S., Iran Trade Barbed Words at Baghdad Talks." Reuters. March 10, 2007.
March 9, 2007
- Mere coincidence or the Perfect Moment to Encourage Anti-Persian Sentiment in Popular Culture? 300 opens in the United States.
March 8, 2007
- International Atomic Energy Agency Board votes to deprive Iran of 22 technical aid projects, none of which directly apply to the Iranian uranium enrichment program.
- Iranian IAEA Chief Delegate Ali Ashgar Soltanieh responds the latest, largely symbolic decision taken by the IAEA against Iran: "None of these projects are related to enrichment. The enrichment program will continue as planned." Source: George Jahn. "Iran Shrugs Off U.N. Pressure Over Nukes." March 8, 2007. News Report
March 7, 2007
- Iranian Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh comments that Iran can go it alone: "Today, the West says it is ready to give the best nuclear power plant and technology to Iran, if it suspends enrichment but we should not be hopeful of such promises. The West's extensive efforts to suspend activities at Natanz facility shows significance of Iran's nuclear program. Iran currently assumed satisfactory status in terms of peaceful nuclear technology. But their negative approach will not succeed with respect to Iran's national determination to have nuclear energy for peaceful purposes...Iran achieved nuclear technology by itself. We currently have thousands of experts in this field. We have an intellectual power to reconstruct nuclear facilities with more security, if faced with problems." Source: n.a. "Iran Should Not Be Hopeful of West Promises: Aqazadeh." IRNA. March 7, 2007.
March 5, 2007
- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki accused the American and Iraqi governments of responsibility for the Jan. 11, 2007 arrest of 4 Iranian diplomats in Erbil and the Feb. 4, 2007 kidnapping in Baghdad of an Iranian state-owned bank officer: "The US is responsible for abduction of the officials and the Iraqi government is responsible for their release as well." The 5 are still being held. Source: n.a. "Iran advises IAEA Board of Governors to defend findings on Iran." IRNA. March 4, 2007.
March 4, 2007
- In a speech before the American Conservative Union wingnut columnist Ann Coulter accuses liberals of disloyalty, alleging that they want Iran to acquire nuclear power but not the United States. That comment drew less attention than her accusation that Democratic U.S. Presidential candiate John Edwards was gay.
March 2, 2007
- Doubts emerge about U.S. intelligence on North Korea and Iran. Source: George Jahn. "Analysis: U.S. Intel on Nukes in Doubt." The Guardian. March 2, 2007. News Report
March 1, 2007
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fans the embers of war with fatuous rhetorical overkill: "There is no place in the world that suffers from divisions and wars unless America or the Zionists' fingerprints are seen there." Source: n.a. "Ahmadinejad: U.S., Israel Cause Problems." Associated Press & CBS News. March 1, 2007.