MIDDLE EAST « nuclear-news

Iran persisting with nuclear programme, despite sanctions

Iran will not give up nuclear programme: Ahmadinejad – Hindustan Times Abuja, July 09, 2010 Iran will, under no circumstances, stop its peaceful nuclear activities, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said. Addressing a group of scholars in the Nigerian capital, Ahmadinejad said late on Thursday that UN’s anti-Iran resolutions are but a piece of paper and they will not be able to halt Iran’s nuclear activities even if they turn all the paper in the world into resolutions.”The latest anti-Iran sanctions of the UN Security Council (UNSC) will have no effect on Iran’s nuclear programme,” IRNA news agency quoted him as saying.

“There will not be the slightest change in our nuclear programme,” said the president who is in Abuja for summit of the Group of Eight Developing Countries (D8). Iran will not give up nuclear programme: Ahmadinejad – Hindustan Times

July 10, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, reactors | Leave a comment

USA urging Israel to sign Nuclear non Proliferation Treaty

US Pushes Israel to Sign Nuclear Treaty, newsmax.com 04 Jul 2010 The Obama administration wants Israel to formally declare its nuclear weapons program by signing the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, according to The New York Times.
The United States first agreed to Arab demands in May that the final wording of the treaty include a clause urging Israel to become a signatory, and the issue is likely to arise again on Tuesday when Israeli Prime Minister Bejnamin Netanyahu visits the White House.

Under the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, a nuclear-free zone would be established in the Middle East. That would be a major issue for Israel. Although Israel has nuclear weapons, it has never officially admitted it, and it would be reluctant to give up its arsenal while surrounded by hostile nations. US Pushes Israel to Sign Nuclear Treaty

July 5, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Israel, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

Claim that Dubai ports used to smuggle nuclear equipment to Iran

Iran uses Dubai ports to smuggle nuclear equipment, Jewish News, Jul 01, 2010 According to the “Telegraph“, Hamad al-Kaabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, was quoted saying earlier today that “Security forces have interdicted scores of ships suspected of carrying illicit cargo and seized numerous sensitive shipments that could be used for the manufacture of weapons systems, including specialized aluminum sheets, titanium, high-speed computers and sophisticated machine tools.”Mr al-Kaabi added: “The UAE has implemented many notable United Nations security council resolutions. A lot of these have banned certain goods going to certain countries.” Additionally, at a meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in Abu Dhabi, a senior figure revealed the extent of the trade in weapons and “dual-use” goods. According to this source, officials have admitted that Dubai is being used by Iran as a transit point for smuggling both money and illegal goods….

Iran uses Dubai ports to smuggle nuclear equipment | World of Judaica

July 2, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | MIDDLE EAST, secrets,lies and civil liberties | AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons | 1 Comment

Claims that USA kidnapped nuclear scientist

‘Nuclear scientist’ tells Iran TV he fled US agents, Google hosted news, (AFP) – 30 June 2010, TEHRAN — A man claiming to be an Iranian nuclear scientist whom Tehran alleges the United States kidnapped said he has escaped from US agents, in a video screened on Tuesday on Iranian television. Continue reading →

June 30, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, secrets,lies and civil liberties | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons, uranium | Leave a comment

Nuclear bomb for Iran not viable for several years

enriching the uranium to bomb grade would take another year, and it would take at least another year for them “to develop the kind of weapon delivery system in order to make that viable……counterproliferation efforts could further delay the Iranians’s efforts to put together a bomb for years further, if they make a final decision to do so.

New Iran Nuke NIE Still Not Ready, Newsweek, by Mark Hosenball June 28, 2010 In an ABC News interview Sunday, CIA Director Leon Panetta alluded to a fact that was reported by NEWSWEEK months ago: Continue reading →

June 29, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, weapons and war | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

Enrichment of uranium continuing in Iran

Iran has produced 17 kilos of 20% enriched uranium Tehran Times June 24, 2010 TEHRAN – Iran has produced 17 kilograms of uranium enriched to the 20 percent level, an official announced on Wednesday. “(We) have produced over 17 kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium, and we have the ability to produce 5 kilograms a month, but we are not in a hurry,” Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Director Ali Akbar Salehi said during a visit to the ISNA news agency. Iran will continue to enrich uranium up to the purity level of 20 percent to the extent the country needs, Salehi stated….. tehran times : Iran has produced 17 kilos of 20% enriched uranium

June 24, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons, uranium | Leave a comment

Harsh conditions forced by Israel on nuclear whistleblower

Israeli nuclear whistleblower returned to solitary confinement 21 June 2010, Amnesty International has accused the Israeli authorities of subjecting jailed nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by holding him in solitary confinement.The 56-year-old, who spent 18 years in prison for revealing details of the country’s nuclear arsenal to a UK newspaper in 1986, was sent back to jail for three months on 23 May on charges of contact with a foreign national, and almost immediately placed in solitary confinement. Continue reading →

June 21, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Israel, secrets,lies and civil liberties | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons | 1 Comment

Saudi Arabia planning to enrich uranium?

Kingdom may enrich uranium for nuclear plants By AMENA BAKR | REUTERS Arab News, Jun 17, 2010 DUBAI: Saudi Arabia may mine and enrich uranium to fuel power plants if it embarks on a civilian nuclear energy program, a consultant preparing a draft nuclear strategy for the Kingdom said on Wednesday….

Saudi Arabia and the United States signed a nuclear cooperation deal in 2008. France said in 2009 it was close to finalizing a civilian nuclear agreement. The Kingdom has also talked to Russia about nuclear cooperation. Any program would likely be similar in value and size to the UAE’s plan, Elkuch said. Kingdom may enrich uranium for nuclear plants – Arab News

June 17, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, Saudi Arabia | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, uranium | Leave a comment

Iran to reduce its connection with UN atomic agency

Iran Drafting Bill to Reduce Ties With UN Atomic Body, BusinessWeek By Henry Meyer and Ladane Nasseri Security Council imposed a fourth set of sanctions on the country, a senior member of parliament said……

Iran Drafting Bill to Reduce Ties With UN Atomic Body (Update2) – BusinessWeek

June 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, weapons and war | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

Iran claiming that U.S. kidnapped nuclear scientist

Iran presses case of nuclear scientist it says held in US By Jay Deshmukh, Google hosted news, (AFP) – 10 June 2010, TEHRAN — Iran said Tuesday it will use legal channels to secure the release of its nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri, who in a video clip screened on Iranian television channels said he was kidnapped by US agents.Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the film confirmed Tehran’s charges that Amiri had been “kidnapped by US and Saudi intelligence services.”But Washington denied the accusation…………. Continue reading →

June 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, secrets,lies and civil liberties | AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin | Leave a comment

Photos of infant victims of depleted uranium – Afghanistan

VICTIMS OF URANIUM MUNITIONS USED BY THE US FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN |AajMedia News VICTIMS OF URANIUM MUNITIONS USED BY THE US FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN AajMedia News by Abasin Khan Sharzai June 13th, 2010 These photos of newly-born infants have been taken by Dr. Mohammad Daud Miraki, a well-known Afghan researcher, anthropologist, sociologist and scholar. He visited Afghanistan to find out about the situation after the American invasion of Afghanistan. The deformed infants are the result of the uranium munitions used by American troops and bomber aircrafts all over Afghanistan Continue reading →

June 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Afghanistan, health | antinuclear, depleted, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, radioactive, uranium | 1 Comment

Iran’s pressure on Russia for defense systems against Israel

Iran Demands Russian S-300s to Make It ‘Invincible’ to Israel, BusinessWeek, by Henry Meyer June 13 (Bloomberg) — Russia must honor a contract to supply S-300 air-defense systems, an Iranian lawmaker said.“Russia should abide by agreements made between the two countries and deliver the system to Iran,” Continue reading →

June 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons | Leave a comment

USA’s problem with Jordan’s nuclear power plans

Jordan’s Nuclear Ambitions Pose Quandary for the U.S. WSJ.com – By JAY SOLOMON SAWAQA, Jordan—The Kingdom of Jordan is in a sprint to become the Arab world’s next nuclear power. And America wants to help it succeed. U.S. and Jordanian officials are negotiating a nuclear-cooperation agreement that would allow American firms to export nuclear components and know-how to the Mideast country, America’s closest Arab ally in the volatile region…. it’s a partnership that puts the Obama administration in a bind: It is trying to make good on its pledge to promote greater civilian use of atomic energy, without angering Israel and risking a Mideast arms race. Continue reading →

June 14, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | MIDDLE EAST, politics international | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons, reactors | Leave a comment

Solar energy, rather than nuclear, holds promise for Saudi Arabia

The fact is Saudi Arabia can generate enough power form the sun to take care of its and others’ energy needs….Minister of Petroleum, Ali Al-Naimi, said: “Saudi Arabia aspires to export as much solar energy in the future as it exports oil now.”

Alternatives to nuclear energy under focus – Arab News 7 June 2010, …………..Official studies from the German government has shown that the risk of getting cancer significantly increased in children growing up in the neighborhood of a nuclear power station, particularly leukemia. Other disadvantages have to do with nuclear waste. The EIA has shown that a typical nuclear reactor produces 20-30 tons or waste per year that can’t be disposed of with Plutonium 239 remaining dangerous for as much as 10,000 years and radioactive for 240,000 years. Most countries reuse nuclear waste to create energy but this just creates more waste while others utilize the waste through their national defense departments…. Continue reading →

June 7, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, Saudi Arabia | antinuclear, energy efficiency, renewable energy, renewables, solar | Leave a comment

Mordechai Vanunu, lonely anti nuclear whistleblower

Mr. Vanunu’s story is to be seen in the wider context of the secrecy that has surrounded Israel’s nuclear weapons programme and its western allies’ complicity.

Lonely battle of an Israeli whistle-blower, The Hindu, Hasan Suroor , June 1, 2010 Mordechai Vanunu’s case is as much about suppressing dissent by a supposedly democratic state as it is a demonstration of western double standards.

Had Mordechai Vanunu been, say, an Iranian or a Russian whistle-blower and facing persecution at home, he would have been assured of a prominent place in the western pantheon of heroes. But he is an Israeli dissident and Israel’s friends in the West have no time for him. Continue reading →

June 2, 2010 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Israel | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, nuclear weapons | 1 Comment