Could an Israeli air strike stop Iran's nuclear program? Oct 14, 2009
Israel would probably use F-15 or F-16 fighter jets, which would have to fly 1,100 miles to reach Natanz and further for targets such as the nuclear reactor at Bushehr in the south. That distance is near the outer limit of such an aircraft's ability, though the planes can go longer distances by attaching additional fuel tanks or re-fueling in midair. (Christian Science Monitor)
Top Article: Don't Bet On Trust Oct 13, 2009
Given its historical support of Iran, its role in constructing the Bushehr nuclear power plant and its pending sale of anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran, Russia's motives are somewhat questionable. In any event, it seems unlikely that Russia will ultimately sign on to strict new sanctions. (India Times, India)
Nuclear talks Oct 6, 2009
It would also make use of the enriched uranium, which has no immediate other peaceful purpose, as it is not suitable for use in the Bushehr reactor being built by the Russians ... Despite Russia's involvement in building the Bushehr nuclear plant, the Russian government is viewed with deep suspicion by many in Iran, partly because if its history of involvement there, seen by many Iranians as every bit as perfidious as Britain's role ... Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for... (BBC News -- Africa)
Report: Iran Has Data to Make Nuke Weapon Oct 5, 2009
In February 1979, when the Islamic Revolution toppled the Shah's government, the Bushehr-1 (that is, reactor 1) was 90% complete and 60% of its equipment had been installed, while Bushehr-2 was 50% complete ... The government of Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan then decided that Iran did not need nuclear energy, and therefore the work at Bushehr was halted after the victory of the Revolution in February 1979 ... "Since the Shah never read or heard an American proposal that he did not like, he... (CBS News)
Obama says Iran must take 'concrete steps' on nuclear issues Oct 2, 2009
Ahmadinejad said Iran's nuclear scientists "are ready to negotiate with countries willing to sell us enriched uranium." Tehran had rejected an earlier offer from Russia to supply the fuel Iran would need to run its reactors, including one Russia is building in Bushehr. Again, Albright says Iran's gesture may be less than meets the eye. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Obama’s opportunity in Iran Oct 1, 2009
As Obama has met China s and Russia s wish to meet Iran at the negotiating table, he will have every right to insist, if talks fail, that Beijing stop its growing energy business with Iran and Moscow end all arms sales and cease technical and financial support to Iran s Bushehr nuclear reactor. Finally, the Obama administration should move quickly to force Iran to choose between negotiations and confrontation. (Boston Globe)
Iran's secret site is the missing piece in its nuclear puzzle Sep 30, 2009
BUSHEHR is the site of a long-planned 1,000-megawatt light-water nuclear power plant ... US officials worry that plutonium could be separated from Bushehr's spent fuel, although, as previously noted, light-water reactors are generally considered to be more proliferation-resistant than heavy-water models ... Fuel loading at Bushehr is scheduled to take place this fall. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Iran defiant amid new nuclear row Sep 26, 2009
Page last updated at 01:40 GMT, Saturday, 26 September 2009 02:40 UK. Please turn on JavaScript. (BBC News -- Africa)
Iran 'concealed nuclear facility' - Obama Sep 26, 2009
Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for energy, not military purposes Bushehr: Nuclear power plant Isfahan: Uranium conversion plant Natanz: Uranium enrichment plant, 4,592 working centrifuges, with 3,716 more installed Second enrichment plant: Existence revealed to IAEA in Sept 2009. Separate reports say it is near Qom, and not yet operational Arak: Heavy water plant. (BBC News -- Americas)
Obama's focus shifts from engaging Iran Sep 26, 2009
" Iran has denied that the newly discovered site represents a violation of its international obligations, so the Kremlin's dismissal of that claim must have been particularly gratifying to Washington. During the Bush administration, Russia -- after much haggling -- agreed three times to support U.N. Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on Iran, but it insisted on watering them down and then would claim the sanctions were not effective. Click for related contentNow the question is... (MSNBC -- Politics)
Iran's key nuclear sites Sep 25, 2009
BUSHEHR - Nuclear power station. The Bushehr nuclear power station (image: DigitalGlobe) ... Iran's nuclear programme began in 1974 with plans to build a nuclear power station at Bushehr with German assistance. (BBC News -- Africa)
Israel: All options on table vs. Iran Sep 22, 2009
Russia has cultivated close cooperation with Iran, including building the Bushehr nuclear power plant. But Russia has shown irritation with Iran's failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency as it seeks to determine if Iran is pursuing nuclear arms. (MSNBC -- International)
Russia says Israel not planning to strike Iran Sep 21, 2009
" UN Security Council member Russia is helping build Tehran's first civilian nuclear power plant in at Bushehr and has long defended Iran against calls for tougher sanctions. Medvedev nevertheless admitted Iran had yet to calm questions over its nuclear programme and must improve cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Iran must cooperate with the IAEA, this is an absolutely obvious," he said. "This is its duty and not a matter of choice because otherwise questions will... (Channelnewsasia.com)
U.S., EU Seek Meeting With Iran to Gauge Its Commitment to Nuclear Talks Sep 12, 2009
Russia is helping Iran build its first nuclear power plant, at Bushehr. Russian Prime Minister yesterday reiterated his countrys opposition to a military strike or new economic sanctions on Iran over the nuclear program. (Bloomberg -- Europe)
DON'T GET SCAMMED BY RUSSIA AGAIN Aug 31, 2009
Others see Moscow's aid to the Iranian nuclear program going beyond the reactor it's building at Bushehr. Adding to fears Obama's negotiators won't bring up these issues in the Vienna talks is the tentative deal he struck with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on dual-use strategic-delivery systems this summer, drastically cutting US subs and bombers that have conventional military roles, too. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Iran gets support for ban on nuke plant attacks Aug 27, 2009
Its above ground facilities -- the Bushehr light-water reactor and the Arak heavy water reactor under construction -- are ringed by anti-aircraft defenses. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Diplomats: Iran's Nuclear Program Slows Aug 26, 2009
The reactor building of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is seen, some 750 miles south of Tehran, Iran, in this 2007 picture. (AP/Mehr News Agency, Bagher Nasir). (CBS News)
Peres: Russia to reconsider missiles for Iran Aug 20, 2009
Israel and the United States fear that Iran could use the missiles to protect its nuclear facilities including the uranium enrichment plant at Natanz or the country's first atomic power plant, which is being completed by Russian workers in Bushehr. That would make a military strike on the Iranian facilities much more difficult. (MSNBC -- International)
Russia and Iran join hands Jul 29, 2009
Should Russia make good on its promise to put into operation the much-delayed Bushehr power plant that it is building in Iran, a good deal of present Iranian misgivings about Russia will disappear. After all, Russia is Iran's sole nuclear partner and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev openly rebuffed Obama's attempt, in his recent Moscow visit, to link a new arms limitation treaty with the issue of new sanctions on Iran. (Asia Times Online)
Iran and Russia, scorpions in a bottle Jul 24, 2009
Putin power play In February 1995, Moscow committed to finishing construction of a nuclear reactor at Bushehr ... By December 2001, Moscow also started to sell missiles to Tehran - a surefire way of making extra money offering protection for strategic assets such as Bushehr ... Bushehr is a source of immense controversy in Iran. (Asia Times Online)
Reports: Iran reactor to go live in 09 Jul 23, 2009
Plan is to start the reactor near the Iranian city of Bushehr by end of year ... State-run RIA-Novosti and ITAR-Tass quote Sergei Kiriyenko as saying plans remain for a start-up of the reactor near the Iranian city of Bushehr by the end of the year. (MSNBC -- International)
Reports: Iran Reactor to Be Turned On This Year Jul 23, 2009
State-run RIA-Novosti and ITAR-Tass quote Sergei Kiriyenko as saying plans remain for a start-up of the reactor near the Iranian city of Bushehr by the end of the year. Russia is helping Iran build its first nuclear power plant as part of a program Iran says is purely peaceful. (Fox News)
Ahmadinejad rings the changes Jul 21, 2009
The government has denied that the resignation of Salehi's predecessor, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, had any connection to lengthy delays in the opening of the Russian-made Bushehr nuclear power plant. Energy Minister Parviz Fatah last week contradicted the Atomic Energy Organization's pledge to deliver some 500 megawatts of electricity from Bushehr before summer's end, stating that this promise "will not be fulfilled". (Asia Times Online)
Ahmadinejad Appoints New Iran Nuclear Chief Jul 17, 2009
There have also been hints of behind-the-scenes differences between Aghazadeh and Ahmadinejad's energy minister over the planned opening of Iran's first nuclear plan at Bushehr, whose opening has repeatedly been delayed. FOX NEWS VIDEOS. (Fox News)
Iran nuke chief quits in wake of election Jul 17, 2009
There have also been hints of behind-the-scenes differences between Aghazadeh and Ahmadinejad's energy minister over the planned opening of Iran's first nuclear plan at Bushehr, whose opening has repeatedly been delayed. On Wednesday, Energy Minister Parviz Fattah complained that despite plans to start up Bushehr this summer, "so far, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organziation has not provided any information" on inaugurating it. (MSNBC -- International)
The Point of Putin's Tehran Trip Jul 16, 2009
Although both China and Russia have a stake in Iran China is heavily invested in its energy sector, while Russia is building the country's nuclear reactor at Bushehr and also selling billions of dollars of weapons to the Islamic Republic each has more important, and immediate strategic concerns of its own ... Still, Russia has plainly dragged its feet (by measure of years) over completing the Bushehr reactor, suggesting it may be keeping the Iranian reactor offline as leverage. (Time.com)
Time for an Israeli Strike? Jul 15, 2009
A peaceful uranium enrichment program, peaceful reactors such as Bushehr and peaceful heavy-water projects like that under construction at Arak leave Iran with an enormous breakout capability to produce nuclear weapons in very short order. And anyone who believes the Revolutionary Guard Corps will abandon its weaponization and ballistic missile programs probably believes that there was no fraud in Iran s June 12 election. (Human Events Online)
Iran to offer West 'new package' Jul 12, 2009
Iran's nuclear power plant at Bushehr is close to going online. Iran's government says it is preparing a new package of proposals to put to the West. (BBC News -- Africa)
Colonel's Corner Jul 11, 2009
In February, Moscow's nuclear technicians helped their Iranian counterparts turn on the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant. Despite American overtures to the contrary, the facility is still scheduled to come fully "on line" (and therefore generating not only electricity, but plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons) before the end of the year. (Fox News)
Russia flits from Tehran to Washington Jul 3, 2009
The Kremlin can also express its mood in other ways beyond food and drink, as it is doing with the Bushehr nuclear plant it has been building in Iran since 1995 ... Belenky also recalled an objection raised a few years ago by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - then president - during a trip to Iran that Bushehr had a lot of non-Russian equipment and that this created an additional problem ... Moscow, by pointing to "problems" with Bushehr, is sending a message not so much to Teheran as to... (Asia Times Online)
Election shadow Jun 30, 2009
Iran's nuclear power plant at Bushehr is close to going online. Having shown the stern face of his government domestically, he is hardly likely to compromise abroad. (BBC News -- Africa)
Intensified Crackdown Mutes Iran Protests Jun 24, 2009
Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has longtime political and economic ties with Iran, where it is helping build a nuclear power plan at Bushehr. In his only trip abroad since the vote, Ahmadinejad went to Russia last week for a conference, where he met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. (CBS News)
Iran Is Not the Enemy Jun 18, 2009
Its elderly nuclear reactor at Bushehr has yet to produce a watt of electricity after more than 30 years. Iran s claim to need nuclear energy may not be false. (The American Conservative)
Poetic justice of a green revolution Jun 16, 2009
Mousavi's campaign director has said, explicitly, "Our symbol represents Islam, and not velvet - a subtle reference to the 1989 velvet revolution in the former Czechoslovakia. And it gets better. In one of its official clips, the Mousavi campaign even used a famous song of the revolutionary left, those who were fighting the US puppet, the Shah of Iran, during the 1970s. Would Mousavi in power be a game-changer? Most definitely. He wants a national mandate. He's in favor of smart diplomacy and a... (Asia Times Online)
Ahmadinejad attends Russia summit Jun 16, 2009
Russian companies are also involved in constructing Iran's first nuclear power plant at Bushehr, that is expected to to go online in 2010. However, the Kremlin has so far rejected selling Russian missile defence systems to Iran. (India Times, India)
How close is Iran to a bomb? Jun 16, 2009
Key sites include a uranium-enrichment plant at Natanz; a plant at Arak to produce heavy water, which can be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium; a nuclear power station at Bushehr; and a uranium conversion plant at Isfahan. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran has provided full access and allowed monitoring at many sensitive sites, but has denied it access to areas involved with centrifuge production, uranium-enrichment research, and uranium mining. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Springtime in Tehran Jun 5, 2009
"The only nuclear power station under construction in Iran...was designed by the Germans in the 1970s and is being built by a Russian company that constructed Chernobyl. The Bushehr plant is designed to use a specially graded and codified fuel that is produced ONLY in Russia; it CANNOT use the uranium enriched by Iran.". So then: what possible reason would Iran have to enrich uranium. (Human Events Online)
Credible Threats and Valid Intelligence about Iran Jun 5, 2009
The NCRI has made subsequent revelations about Bushehr, Isfahan, Arak, and other nuclear sites, including Lavizan-Shian, Lavizan II, and Khojir, where the Iranian regime worked on nuclear warhead design. In this respect, consider a 2007 U.S. National Intelligence Estimate. (Human Events Online)
Security Initiative Program Needs a Makeover Jun 3, 2009
Russia helped Iran complete and fuel the Bushehr atomic reactor. That project provided Tehran nuclear know-how that assists the regime s weapons program. (Human Events Online)
Timeline: Iran May 30, 2009
2002 September - Russian technicians begin construction of Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr despite strong objections from US.. 2003 June - Thousands attend student-led protests in Tehran against clerical establishment. (BBC News -- Africa)
Why Not Bomb Iran? May 21, 2009
Three main targets would be the Russian-designed nuclear plant at Bushehr, on the Persian Gulf; enrichment facilities at Natanz and a research reactor at Arak. Iran has declared nine sites to the United Nations. (Human Events Online)
Mitchell visit to Israel: Does Obama's path to Iran pass through Jewish settlements? Apr 17, 2009
On Thursday, Yedioth Ahronoth, one of Israel's mass-circulation papers, quoted an official in the Obama administration as saying there would be a tradeoff: Bushehr for Yitzhar ... (Bushehr is an Iranian nuclear facility, while Yitzhar is known to be among the most hard-line Jewish settlements. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Iran's new nuke offer Apr 16, 2009
The president last Thursday cut the ribbon at a fuel facility in Isfahan, which the Mehr news agency said can produce 10 tons of nuclear fuel annually to feed the heavy water 40-megawatt Arak reactor and can provide 30 tons for light water reactors such as the Bushehr nuclear plant. A shift in policy. (iAfrica.com)
Iran says it controls entire nuclear fuel cycle Apr 12, 2009
Iran is putting the finishing touches on a nuclear power plant with Russian help in Bushehr, in southern Iran, but the uranium fuel to power it is imported. Tehran also plans to build a 360-megawatt light-water nuclear power plant in Darkhovin, in the southwestern Khuzestan province, which it will power with its own fuel. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Iran Crosses Threshold In Quest For Nuclear Bomb Apr 10, 2009
Iranian news agency Mehr said the fuel plant can produce 10 tons of nuclear fuel annually to feed the heavy water 40-megawatt Arak reactor as well as 30 tons for light water reactors such as the Bushehr nuclear plant. The Bushehr plant sited in the Gulf port city of Bushehr has to have fuel that matches Russian technical specifications as the facility is constructed by Moscow. (Newsmax)
Iran launches nuke fuel manufacturing plant Apr 10, 2009
Ten tons of the fuel in the form of pellets would be sent to Iran's Arak Heavy-Water Site to be utilized in the heavy-water research reactors, and the rest would be used in the country's Bushehr Power Plant, he added. At the same time, Iran's nuclear chief Gholam Reza Aghazadeh said here on the occasion of Iran's National Nuclear Day that Iran was running around 7,000 centrifuges at its Natanz uranium enrichment facility. (Xinhuanet, China)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated its first nuclear fuel manufacturing plant on Thursday and disclosed that it was running around 7,000 centrifuges at its uranium enrichment facility.• Iran runs 7,000 centrifuges at uranium enrichment plant Apr 10, 2009
An Iranian engineer of the fuel manufacturing plant told Xinhua that the totally domestically constructed plant will produce 40 tons of nuclear fuel, 10 tons of which will be sent to Iran's ArakHeavy Water Site and the rest will be used in the country's Bushehr Power Plant. Editor: Yan. (Xinhuanet, China)
Iran opens first nuclear fuel plant, says it has increased enrichment capacity Apr 10, 2009
The plant is able to produce nuclear fuel tablets and rods for the country's 40-megawatt research reactor in Arak as well as fuel for the Russian-built nuclear power plant in Bushehr, the ISNA news agency reported. Gholamreza Aghazadeh, the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, said Iran had increased the number of its centrifuges to 7,000, from 6,000. (Boston Globe)
The Obama administration said Wednesday that it will take part in the proposed talks with Iran with other five powers, in an attempt to find a political solution to Iran's nuclear program. • Iran to operate new stage of nuclear program Apr 9, 2009
TEHRAN, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Energy Minister Parviz Fattah said Monday that Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant will start to generate electricity from mid-summer, the official IRNA news agency reported. "Bushehr nuclear power plant will generate 500 megawatt electricity from mid-summer," Fattah was quoted as saying. (Xinhuanet, China)
Iran set to trumpet nuclear advances Apr 9, 2009
He said that by changing the "production specifications," the plant can also produce fuel for the light water Bushehr nuclear plant being built by Moscow. World powers fear that Iran could configure the Arak plant in a way that it can be used to help make an atom bomb, but Tehran says the reactor is planned to make isotopes only for agricultural and health purposes. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Read the 'JER' transcript Apr 7, 2009
The Russians have been supplying the Iranians with a civilian nuclear reactor at Bushehr. There are reports they intend to supply the Iranians with a very advanced anti-aircraft missile system that would prevent or would forestall any kind of military attack. (Fox News)
BAM'S FALSE HOPE Apr 4, 2009
At the same time, they continue to build Iran's reactor at Bushehr and provide the regime sophisticated conventional arms, including air defenses. It's foolish to think the Russians behave this way out of pique at George W. Bush. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Can Obama Win Russia's Cooperation on Iran? Apr 1, 2009
Russia's centrality to the issue lies in the facts that it is building Iran's civilian nuclear reactor at Bushehr and it is the Islamic Republic's key supplier of high-tech weaponry. Moscow's support is also critical to the U.S.'s efforts to use sanctions to pressure Iran to back down on the nuclear issue. (Time.com)
Medvedev: No Deal with U.S. on Iran Mar 30, 2009
Russia has maintained close relations with Iran and built the Bushehr nuclear plant, expected to go into operation this year, that the West suspects is part of an Iranian push to develop nuclear weapons. "Our position is based on well-known UN resolutions and approaches set forth by the IAEA, namely that Iran's nuclear program should be peaceful," Medvedev said. (Newsmax)
Europe out of step with US over Iran Mar 26, 2009
Indeed the UK and international community stand ready to help Iran achieve it - as the opening of the Bushehr nuclear plant already shows ... Further, Brown has reiterated the West's commitment to guarantee the delivery of nuclear fuel to Iran, something inserted in their package of incentives to Iran a couple of years ago, and to prove it, he has cited the "opening" of the Russian-built Bushehr power plant as a sign of the "UK and international community's" goodwill toward Iran ... Rather, it... (Asia Times Online)
Nuclear ambition Mar 24, 2009
A test run has been carried out at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. First, if it is true Iran wants to show the world it can make a bomb, the clock is ticking. (BBC News -- Africa)
Obama Hones Iran Strategy Mar 24, 2009
One suggestion being discussed in Washington policy circles would permit Iran to continue producing low-enriched uranium, at least during negotiations, provided that it shipped its existing stockpile to Russia for fabrication into fuel rods for use in Iran s Russian-supplied Bushehr nuclear power reactor. The result would allow Iran to continue utilizing its enrichment technology, which it claims as its right, but would reduce the underlying proliferation risk by preventing the stockpile from... (YaleGlobal Online Magazine, CT)
Russia sees chance to boost US ties Mar 23, 2009
But Russia, which completed its contract to build Iran's first civilian nuclear power plant at Bushehr this month, argues that there is no discernible threat. "The Russian Federation continues to believe that there are no signs of the [Iranian nuclear] program being switched toward goals, and that it is of an exclusively peaceful nature," deputy foreign minister Sergei Rybakov said Friday, following Obama's address. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
The Clock on Iran Is Ticking — But How Fast? Mar 21, 2009
An security guard stands in front of the building housing the reactor of Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. Behrouz Mehri / AFP / Getty. (Time.com)
Iran Friday urged U.S. to take "concrete" action of change, while welcoming Obama's video message for a "new beginning" of engagement with Iran.• Iran's supreme leader vows nuclear path can't be blocked Mar 21, 2009
The Iranian leader hailed the launching of the country's first home-made satellite and the test run of its first nuclear power plant at Bushehr in the past year as "important achievements.". Iran has been sanctioned by the United States for developing secretly nuclear weapons and being involved in anti-U.S. activities since the two countries severed ties in 1980. (Xinhuanet, China)
Security: Barbarians At The Gate Mar 21, 2009
Such facilities include the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz or the country's first nuclear power plant at Bushehr, built by Russian contractors. The direction Gates would take us was indicated by his remarks toward the end of his service with the Bush administration. (Investors Business Daily)
Sensitive points added to Iran's nuclear issue Mar 19, 2009
BEIJING, March 19 -- The first nuclear power plant in the Gulf seaport of Bushehr that Russia has been under contract to build is expected to put into operation by the end of the upcoming summer, and its operation does not pose a proliferation threat, said Sergey Novikov, secretary of Russia's atomic energy agency on March 16. As far as the Bushehr plant is concerned, Russia will provide all the fuel it needs for the duration of its entire lifespan, and Russia and Iran, keen to ease U.S.... (Xinhuanet, China)
UK PM in new Iran nuclear warning Mar 17, 2009
Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant, its first, may begin operations this year. The prime minister is to warn Iran it faces a "clear choice" over its nuclear programme, with tougher sanctions for defying the international community. (BBC News)
China our not-so-silent partner now Mar 15, 2009
Had you not been bad-tempered and blocked the way, the Iranian nation would not have been present in space, and would not have become a nuclear power, Fars news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying at the inauguration ceremony of a natural gas deposit in the Bushehr province. Paul. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Iranian president declares his country a space and nuclear power... Mar 15, 2009
"Had you not been bad-tempered and blocked the way, the Iranian nation would not have been present in space, and would not have become a nuclear power," Fars news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying at the inauguration ceremony of a natural gas deposit in the Bushehr province. Iran put its first communications satellite, into a near-Earth orbit on February 2. (The Drudge Report)
