Israel's Barak boosts Obama amid U.S. threats on Iran

2011-12-22T04:30:08Z

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's defense minister extolled what he called Barack Obama's resolve and risk-taking on Thursday, remarks likely to help the president's re-election bid after US president Bill Clinton said in a television interview to be shown Wednesday that President Barack Obama should not rule out military action on Iran, but there might be other ways "to skin the cat."

Clinton also said a recent report by

Iran invites UN nuclear inspectors: diplomats

2011-12-20T18:30:37Z

Iran has invited the UN atomic watchdog to visit the country, but it is unclear whether inspectors would have access to sites where covert nuclear weapons activity is suspected, Western diplomats said Tuesday.

"Our understanding from our conversations with the IAEA is that... Iran has made a sort of general invitation, but there is nothing specific in there," one diplomat to the

Diplomats agree to increase pressure on Iran

2011-12-20T13:30:09Z

ROME (Reuters) - Diplomats from the United States, the European Union and other allies agreed on Tuesday to step up pressure on Iran to force it to resume talks over its nuclear program, an Italian diplo...

Iran says invites U.N. nuclear agency to visit

2011-12-20T08:00:10Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran has invited the U.N. nuclear watchdog to visit for talks, an Iranian envoy told Reuters on Tuesday, suggesting Tehran would be prepared to address concerns about its atomic ambitions.

Reuters) - Iran has invited the U.N. nuclear watchdog to visit for talks, a senior Western diplomat said on Tuesday, but it was not clear whether the IAEA would accept without a commitment from Tehran to address suspicions...

Iran ready to start nuclear work in bunker: sources

2011-12-14T10:30:05Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran could soon begin sensitive atomic activities in an underground facility deep inside a mountain, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday, a move that would up the ante in a stand-off with big powers demanding Tehran curb such work.

Iranian experts have carried out the necessar...

Iran may soon start nuclear work in bunker: sources

2011-12-14T07:00:43Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran could soon launch sensitive atomic activities in an underground facility deep inside a mountain, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday, a development likely to add to tension between Tehran and the West.

Iranian experts have carried out the necessary preparations at Fordow ...

Obama defends US sanctions policy on Iran

2011-12-08T15:30:45Z

US President Barack Obama on Thursday defended his policy on Iran amid fierce Republican criticism of his effort to halt the Islamic republic's nuclear drive, saying Tehran is under the "toughest sanctions" ever.

"I think it's very important to remember, particularly given some of the political noise out there, that this administration has syst...

US Republicans urge covert ops against Iran, Syria

2011-12-08T07:30:35Z

Republican US presidential candidates have redoubled their public calls for "covert" operations against Iran and Syria, including sabotage, assassination and aid to opposition forces.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who has led the calls for secret war, told a gathering of party activists on Wednesday he would use "covert capab...

Australia expands sanctions on Iran

2011-12-05T19:30:39Z

Australia expanded sanctions against Iran to restrict business with the country's petroleum and financial sectors as concern mounts over Tehran's suspected nuclear weapons programme.

Britain, Canada and the

U.S. official says Iran becoming a pariah state

2011-12-05T16:00:13Z

SEOUL (Reuters) - A senior U.S. official on Monday said the situation over Iran's nuclear program was becoming increasingly worrying and an urgent diplomatic solution needs to be found.

The United States and Reuters) - Argentina is quietly reaching out to Iran, worrying key Western powers and Israel as they try to tighten Tehran's international isolation over its nuclear program, TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's military said on Sunday it had shot down a U.S. reconnaissance drone aircraft in eastern Iran, a military source told state television.

"Iran...

Israel's Barak plays down "shadow war" against Iran

2011-12-03T12:30:20Z

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Defense Minister Ehud Barak played down speculation on Saturday that Israel and U.S.-led allies were waging clandestine war on Iran, saying sanctions and the threat o...

Israel must 'mend fences' to end isolation: US

2011-12-02T18:30:27Z

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urged Israel to try and end its increasing regional "isolation" by repairing diplomatic ties with Egypt and Turkey and renewing peace efforts with the Palestinians.

"Unfortunately, over the past year, we've seen Israel's isolation from its traditional security part...

U.N. sanctions on Iran have been "exhausted": Russia

2011-12-02T11:00:30Z

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Moscow believes there is no room for further U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, Russia's ...

No Iran strike 'for the moment': Israel defence minister

2011-12-01T18:30:37Z

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday ruled out a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities "for the moment," in remarks to public radio, but said that the Jewish state would keep all options open.

"We have no intention of acting for the moment... We should not engage in war when it is not necessary, but there may come a time or another when we are forced to face tests," Barak said....

EU may study oil embargo on Iran; China urges calm

2011-12-01T10:00:38Z

BRUSSELS/TEHRAN (Reuters) - EU nations agreed on Thursday to examine sanctions on Iran's energy sector over its nuclear program which could include an oil embargo, championed by Iran caused major devastation and will take much longer to repair than a top Iranian general has predicted, according to an analysis of new satellite photos of the site.

In commercial satellite photos released by a private Washington institute, the sprawling compound west of Tehran looks decimated, with buildings seriously dama...

U.S. uncertain Israel would advise before Iran strike

2011-11-30T14:30:11Z

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT (Reuters) - The top U.S. military officer told Reuters on Wednesday he did not know whether Israel would alert the United States ahead of time if it decided to take military action agains...

Analysis: For Iran, the sanctions price may be worth paying

2011-11-29T07:01:13Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran regards its nuclear program as a source of power and prestige and tougher sanctions look unlikely to alter Tehran's cost-benefit analysis much despite the economic pain they cause.

Deep mistrust of Western intentions and security concerns in a volatile region where the

EU preparing more sanctions on Iran: Van Rompuy

2011-11-28T12:00:14Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The European Union is preparing new restrictive measures against Iran and shares U.S. concerns about Tehran's nuclear program, European Council President Herm...

Netanyahu calls for tougher sanctions on Iran

2011-11-23T08:00:31Z

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Wednesday for stronger sanctions on Iran than those imposed this week by the Unite...

Obama policy has slowed Iran nuclear effort: aide

2011-11-22T17:00:36Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's top national security aide said on Tuesday a U.S.-led drive to isolate Iran had slowed its nuclear program and that there was still "time, space and means" to persuade Tehran to abandon ...

Iran no-show 'unhelpful' at UN Mideast nuclear forum

2011-11-22T14:30:34Z

Iran's boycott of a rare UN atomic agency forum on creating a Middle East free of nuclear weapons was "not helpful to their cause", the chairman of the event said Tuesday.

"I think it is to be regretted that Iran did not participate," Norwegian ambassador Jan Petersen

EU agrees deal on new sanctions on Iran

2011-11-22T14:00:35Z

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union agreed in principle on Tuesday to sanction some 200 Iranian people, companies and organizations, adding to measures imposed by the United States,

Iran blasts new Western sanctions

2011-11-22T09:30:40Z

An angry Iran and its powerful ally Russia on Tuesday slammed new Western sanctions imposed on Tehran over its suspect nuclear programme, saying they were illegal and futile.

The measures against Iran's financial, petrochemical and energy sectors announced Monday by the United States, <...

Iran snubs 'useless' UN Mideast atomic forum

2011-11-21T16:30:41Z

Iran angrily stayed away Monday from a UN atomic agency forum on creating a Middle East free of nuclear weapons that saw Israel under fire from Arab nations for its alleged possession of the bomb.

Iran's ambassador to the Vienna-based Reuters) - Britain ordered its financial institutions on Monday to halt all business with Iranian counterparts, including the central bank, and the United States is also expected to tighten sanctions over

Iran boycott mars rare Middle East nuclear talks

2011-11-21T11:00:13Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - Israel and its Arab neighbors sat in the same room on Monday for rare discussions on banning nuclear weapons in the Middle East, although the meeting was marred by the absence of boycotting Iran.

Participants described the f...

UK orders banks to halt Iran business, U.S. move expected

2011-11-21T10:00:27Z

LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Britain ordered its financial institutions on Monday to halt all business with Iranian counterparts, including the central bank, and the United States is also expected to tighten sanctions over

Iran's Revolutionary Guards dare Israel to attack

2011-11-21T09:30:54Z

Iran dares Israel to attack, because the retaliation would send the Jewish state to "the dustbin of history," a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said, according to the Fars news agency Monday.

"Our greatest wish is that they commit such a mistake," the chief of t...

Iran parliament to review ties with U.N. nuclear body

2011-11-20T08:30:08Z

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's parliament will review relations with the U.N. nuclear watchdog over its latest report that said the Islamic state's nuclear activities appeared to have military dimensions, speaker TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian media on Saturday described a resolution from the U.N. nuclear watchdog expressing "deep and increasing concern" about the country's atomic program as a victory, celebrating the fact it does not call for new U.N. sanctions.

But Washington has already...

U.S., Russia, China united on Iran: White House

2011-11-18T22:00:09Z

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) - The White House said on Saturday that Iran is facing an unprecedented degree of isolation, with major world powers united in their opposition ...

U.N. nuclear watchdog board rebukes defiant Iran

2011-11-18T18:30:25Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog board censured Iran on Friday over mounting suspicions it is trying to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran said the move would only strengthen its determination to press on with sensiti...

Exclusive: U.S. to sanction Iran petrochemical industry

2011-11-18T18:00:17Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States plans to sanction Iran's petrochemical industry, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, seeking to raise pressure on Tehran after fresh allegations it may be pursuing nuclear weapon...

US welcomes IAEA condemning Iran nuclear program

2011-11-18T17:30:27Z

The United States on Friday welcomed the UN atomic watchdog's resolution of "deep and increasing concern" about Iran's nuclear activities and called for more pressure on Tehran to end them.

A White House state...

Top US lawmakers press Obama on Iran sanctions

2011-11-18T14:30:52Z

Top US lawmakers pressed President Barack Obama in a letter released Friday to pile pressure on Iran to halt its suspect nuclear program by imposing stiff sanctions on its central bank.

"Sanctioning the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) would impose powerful finan...

U.S. to keep pressuring Iran after IAEA report: White House

2011-11-18T10:30:31Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House welcomed a resolution on Iran's nuclear program on Friday by the United Nations nuclear watchdog, and said it will increase pressure on Reuters) - The 35-nation board of the U.N. nuclear watchdog looked set on Friday to censure Iran over mounting suspicions it is seeking to develop atom bombs, after the six big powers overcame divisions on how to best deal with a defiant

2011-11-18T00:30:06Z

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Defense Minister Ehud Barak tried to reassure Israelis about the government's resolve on Thursday after he appeared to empathize with Iran's controversial nuclear quest during an American television interview.

Barak's...

Top US senator unveils Iran central bank sanctions

2011-11-17T19:30:52Z

Looking to heap economic pressure on Iran over its suspect nuclear program, US senators on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at collapsing the country's central bank with tough new sanctions.

"This, in my judgment, is one of the few remaining actions short of an embargo of Iranian shipping and military intervention to slow or end the Iranian nuclear program," said Republican ...

Strike on Iran could hurt world economy, US says

2011-11-17T18:00:08Z

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he would raise American concerns about the unintended consequences of any military action against Iran during talks with his Israeli counterpart on Fr...

Powers pressure Iran, IAEA chief "alerts world"

2011-11-17T18:00:06Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - Major powers closed ranks on Thursday to increase pressure on Iran to address fears about its atomic ambitions, and the U.N. nuclear chief said it was his duty to "alert the world" about suspected Iranian efforts to develop atom bombs.

The six powers involved in...

World powers express 'deep concern' on Iran

2011-11-17T17:30:32Z

World powers Thursday overcame divisions at the UN atomic agency with a resolution of "deep" concern on Iran's nuclear programme, but without reporting Tehran to the UN Security Council or setting any deadline.

The head of the

2011-11-17T07:30:12Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear chief said on Thursday it was his duty to "alert the world" about suspected work in Iran to develop atomic bombs, and major powers prepared to intensify the pressure on the Islamic state.

Iran faces big power pressure, IAEA wants mission

2011-11-17T05:30:34Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog wants to send a high-level mission to Iran to address mounting concerns it may be seeking to design atom bombs, its head said on Thursday, and Tehran was expected to face censure at a m...

IAEA seeks Iran mission to address nuclear fears

2011-11-17T03:30:35Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - The United Nations nuclear watchdog wants to send a high-level mission to Iran to address mounting concerns the country may be seeking to design atomic bombs, its head said on Thursday.

An Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog wants to send a special high-level mission to Iran to address mounting concerns the country may be seeking to design nuclear weapons, its head said on Thursday.

UN atomic watchdog will send to Iran when its board of governors meets Thursday, diplomats said.

Diplomats to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna wer...

Iran to send 'analytical' response to IAEA report

2011-11-16T12:30:44Z

Iran is to send an "analytical" response to a report suggesting it was pursuing nuclear weapons, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Wednesday, a day before the UN watchdog meets on the issue.

"We have decided to draft and send an analytical letter with logical and rational responses to (Reuters) - World powers look set to overcome their differences and agree on a U.N. atomic agency resolution aimed at putting diplomatic pressure on Iran to address mounting fears about its nuclear program, Western diplomats said on Wednesday.

The fact that the six major po...

Arabs, Israel to attend nuclear talks, Iran uncertain

2011-11-16T11:30:17Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - Arab states and Israel plan to attend a rare round of talks next week on efforts to free the world of nuclear weapons but Iran has yet to say whether it will take part, diplomats said on Wednesday.

The November 21-22 forum, hosted by the

Powers nearing deal on IAEA Iran resolution

2011-11-16T09:30:32Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - World powers are narrowing their differences and getting closer to an agreement on how to respond to a U.N. watchdog report that aired intelligence suggesting Iran has been working on designing a nuclear weapon, Western diplomats said Wednesday.

They said offici...

Powers make "progress" on IAEA Iran resolution

2011-11-16T03:30:39Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - World powers are making progress in narrowing their differences on how to respond to a U.N. watchdog report that aired intelligence suggesting Iran has worked on designing a nuclear weapon, Western diplomats said on Wednesday.

They said officials from the six bi...

Iranian official thinks no Israeli attack imminent

2011-11-15T14:30:17Z

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A senior Iranian official said Tuesday he did not believe an Israeli military strike on Iran was imminent despite fresh Israeli media speculation the Jewish state might be considering one.

Israel has long refused to rule out a military response to Iran's nuclear ...

Analysis: Israelis doubt world will stop Iran's nuclear quest

2011-11-15T08:30:16Z

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - The latest report by U.N. inspectors has hardened suspicions that Iran is seeking nuclear arms capability, but Israeli experts have little confidence that international action will deny the Islamic Republic the means t...

EU ministers postpone decision on further Iran sanctions

2011-11-14T07:30:10Z

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers spoke out in favor of tougher sanctions against Iran on Monday, but decided to wait till their next meeting on Dec 1., before taking further action.

The ministers, meeting in Brussels, also ru...

Obama hits back at Romney with Iran jibe

2011-11-14T04:30:38Z

US President Barack Obama hit back at 2012 election rival Mitt Romney on Sunday over Iran, suggesting that people that try to simplify the nuclear issue are playing politics.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, intimated at a foreign policy debate on Saturday...

'No more point' in concessions, says Iran's foreign minister

2011-11-13T16:30:27Z

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said he sees no more room for compromise in the battle over Iran's contested nuclear programme, in an interview published Sunday.

"I think there's no more point in making additional concessions," he told the German news weekly <...

Israel says Iran closer to atom bomb than thought

2011-11-13T12:30:14Z

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday the full extent of Iran's nuclear program was not reflected in a recent U.N. rep...

Republicans assail Obama on Iran, jab Pakistan

2011-11-13T09:30:21Z

Republican White House hopefuls have slammed President Barack Obama's handling of Iran and vowed a tougher line -- even going to war -- to stop Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons.

"If we re-elect Barack Obama, Iran will have a nuclear weapon," former Massachusetts governor...

Obama, Medvedev discuss Iran, Afghanistan, Syria

2011-11-12T18:30:19Z

HONOLULU (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed Afghanistan, Iran<...

IAEA, Iran spar over bomb work allegations

2011-11-11T22:30:14Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog showed letters and satellite images on Friday as part of evidence pointing to military dimensions to Iran's atomic activities, diplomats said, but Tehran's envoy dismissed it as "lousy"...

Clinton urges Iran to respond to nuclear concerns

2011-11-11T19:30:44Z

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Iran to address the latest concerns about its nuclear weapons program urgently and said the United States was consulting with its allies.

Tension between Iran and its two principal foes, Israel and the United States, has risen s...

Eyeing Iran, US plans munitions sale to UAE: report

2011-11-11T12:30:42Z

The United States has plans to provide thousands of advanced "bunker-busting" bombs to the United Arab Emirates as part of efforts to contain Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The advanced munitions are designed to demolish b...

U.N. nuclear report puts Iran "mystery man" in spotlight

2011-11-11T09:30:06Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - The shadowy military man believed to be at the heart of Iran's disputed atomic activities likely lives under tight security and in secrecy to shield him against assassins and keep him beyond the reach of U.N. sleuths, Western nuclear experts say.

A United Nations nuclear wat...

U.S. defense chief warns on Iran strike consequences

2011-11-11T05:32:21Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Military action against Iran could have "unintended consequences" in the region, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday, hours after Tehran warned that an attack against its nuclear sites would be ...

Defense chief warns on Iran strike consequences

2011-11-10T16:00:12Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Military action against Iran could have "unintended consequences" in the region, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday, hours after Tehran warned that an attack against its nuclear sites would be met b...

Iran warns of 'full force' response to threats

2011-11-10T14:30:29Z

Iran will hit back against any attack or even threat of military action, the country's supreme leader said Thursday after Israel warned the world must act to prevent Tehran getting nuclear weapons.

Iran "will respond with full force to any aggression or even threats in a way that will demolish the aggressors from within," BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union may approve fresh sanctions against Iran within weeks, after a U.N. agency said ...

China says sanctions 'cannot solve' Iran issue

2011-11-10T08:30:31Z

China said on Thursday sanctions would not "fundamentally solve" the Iranian nuclear issue and urged further dialogue to resolve an ongoing impasse over Tehran's atomic programme.

The comments come after the United States and Europe said they may pursue fresh sanctions to...

Obit Shah of Irans Son

2011-01-04T14:01:54Z

FILE - In this Friday, April 15, 2005 file photo, Iran's Farah Pahlavi, widow of Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, right, and her son Alireza Pahlavi, are seen during Prince Raini...

Mideast Iran Missing Scientist

2011-01-03T08:32:44Z

FILE - In this Thursday, July 15, 2010 file photo, Shahram Amiri, an Iranian nuclear scientist who disappeared a year ago, holds his 7-year-old son Amir Hossein as he arrives at the Imam Khomeini airport just outside Tehran, Iran. The Iranian n...

Mideast Iran Stoning

2011-01-02T06:00:14Z

Iranian Sajjad Qaderzadeh, right, whose mother, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, arrives for a news briefing in the northwestern city of Tabriz, Iran, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011. Ashtiani's sentence of death by stoning, which Iran has put on hold, has brought harsh condemnation from the ...

APTOPIX Mideast Iran Stoning

2011-01-02T05:31:47Z

Iranian Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, left, who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, speaks with media in a news briefing as she meets with her son, Sajjad, in the northwestern city of Tabriz, Iran, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011. Ashtiani's sentence of death by stoning, which Iran has put on hold, has brought harsh condemna...

Mideast Israel Iran

2010-12-29T08:01:19Z

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 file photo, Israel's deputy prime minister and minister of strategic affairs Moshe Ya'alon attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem. Ya'alon said Wednesday Dec. 29, 2010, that technical difficulties have pushed back the Iranian timetable for producing a nuclear weapon. Yaalon, a former military chief whose portfolio includes moni...

News on Iran

Iran ready for IAEA visit 'as soon as possible': envoy