Tag: iran

Report on Iran’s Nuclear Fatwa Distorts Its History

The Barack Obama administration’s new interest in the 2004 religious verdict, or “fatwa,” by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banning the possession of nuclear weapons, long dismissed by national security officials, has prompted The New York Times to review the significance of the fatwa for the first time in several years. Senior Obama administration … Continue reading “Report on Iran’s Nuclear Fatwa Distorts Its History”

New Clothes for Old Naked Lies

Elements in Israel and the West intent on attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran are creating the appearance that war is inevitable. Since the turn of the year, anti-Iran propaganda has intensified into a storm of hysterical nonsense. The media tells us that the Israelis are no longer the only ones facing an Iranian “existential … Continue reading “New Clothes for Old Naked Lies”

Bibi’s Dilemma — and Barack’s

“Bibi” Netanyahu was disgusted. "My initial reaction is that Iran has gotten a freebie. It has got five weeks to continue enrichment without any limitation." The Israeli prime minister was referring to Saturday’s meeting in Istanbul of the P5-plus-1 — the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany — with representatives from … Continue reading “Bibi’s Dilemma — and Barack’s”

US-Israel Deal to Demand Qom Closure Threatens Nuclear Talks

The Barack Obama administration has adopted a demand in the negotiations with Iran beginning Saturday that its Fordow enrichment facility must be shut down and eventually dismantled based on an understanding with Israel that risks the collapse of the negotiations. It is unclear, however, whether the administration intends to press that demand regardless of Iran’s … Continue reading “US-Israel Deal to Demand Qom Closure Threatens Nuclear Talks”

The Babylonian Captivity of Washington

The most troubling prerogative of modern government is the ability of the sovereign or head of state to go to war.  War means death, debt, and, if the decision is a bad one, the very end of civil society and the prevailing political order.  Because war is potentially so terrible, a number of nations have curtailed … Continue reading “The Babylonian Captivity of Washington”

Israeli Experts Mum on Iran Attack to Support Bibi’s Bluff

TEL AVIV — A striking feature of the Israeli political landscape in recent months has been the absence of a serious debate among national security figures on the issue of the threat of war with Iran. It is well-known that many prominent former military and intelligence officials believe an attack on Iran would be disastrous … Continue reading “Israeli Experts Mum on Iran Attack to Support Bibi’s Bluff”

Yukiya Amano: Minion of the Empire

On Dec. 1, 2009, Yukiya Amano began his tenure as the director general (DG) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after a bitter election in which he narrowly defeated the South African diplomat Abdul Minty. On Feb. 18, 2010, Amano issued his first report on Iran’s nuclear program. Analyzing the report in a piece … Continue reading “Yukiya Amano: Minion of the Empire”

Details of Talks with IAEA Belie Charge Iran Refused Cooperation

VIENNA — The first detailed account of negotiations between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran last month belies earlier statements by unnamed Western officials portraying Iran as refusing to cooperate with the IAEA in allaying concerns about alleged nuclear weaponization work. The detailed account given by Iran’s permanent representative to the IAEA, Ali Asghar … Continue reading “Details of Talks with IAEA Belie Charge Iran Refused Cooperation”