US House approves Iran sanctions

Evidence of Iran's nuclear arms expertise mounts

Long denied access to foreign technology because of sanctions, Iran has nevertheless learned how to make virtually every bolt and switch in a nuclear weapon, according to assessments by U.N. nuclear officials in internal documents, as well as Western and Middle Eastern intelligence analysts and weapons experts. Iran's growing technical prowess has been highlighted by a secret memo, leaked to a British newspaper over the weekend, that purportedly shows Iranian scientists conducting tests on a neutron initiator, one of the final technical hurdles in making a nuclear warhead, weapons analysts said Monday. There was no way to establish the authenticity or original source of the document, which is being assessed by officials at Western intelligence agencies and the U.N. nuclear watchdog. Even so, former intelligence officials and arms-control experts said that if it is a genuine Iranian government document, it is a worrisome indication of an ongoing, clandestine effort to acquire nuclear weapons capability. Iran has steadfastly denied seeking nuclear arms.

Evidence of Iran's nuclear arms expertise mounts.

MI chief: Iran has enough

nuclear material for bomb.

Are Fears About Iran's Nuclear Program Justified? Discovery Of UD3 Raises Fears Over Iran’s Nuclear Intentions -- Times Online

One formula stands out in the documents obtained by The Times: UD3, or uranium deuteride. Independent experts have confirmed that the only possible use for UD3 is as a neutron source, the trigger to the chain reaction for a nuclear explosion.

Critically, while other neutron sources have possible civilian uses, UD3 has only one application — to be the metaphorical match that lights a nuclear bomb.

UD3, when used in a neutron initiator, emits a stream of neutrons that ignite the core of a bomb, either weapons-grade uranium or plutonium. The stream of neutrons is released using high explosives to compress a core of solid UD3, creating fusion.

Read more ....

Uranium Deuteride Initiators -- Arms Control Wonk
Israel: Iran nearing atomic bomb capability -- AP
Iran says report it is working on nuclear trigger is Western invention -- Sydney Morning Herald
Iran denies working on nuclear bomb component -- AFP
U.S. nears sanctions for Iranian nukes -- Washington Times
UN challenges Iran on nuclear triggers -- The Age
Race against time for UN to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions -- Times Online
Big powers scrap meeting on Iran nuclear program -- Reuters
Meeting on Iran's nuclear programme cancelled -- BBC

US to probe 'revelation' of Iran nuclear trigger work
Washington (AFP) Dec 15, 2009 - The United States said Tuesday it will investigate a British newspaper report that Iran is working on a trigger for a nuclear bomb, adding the "revelation" fueled concerns about Iranian intentions. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley's remarks appear to give credence to a report in The Times on Monday saying it had obtained notes describing a four-year plan by Iran to test a neutron in ... more

  White House defends Obama's open hand to Iran
Washington (AFP) Dec 15, 2009 - The White House Tuesday defended President Barack Obama's open hand policy towards Iran, after Hillary Clinton said nearly a year of offering dialogue to the Islamic state had achieved little progress. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs argued that the strategy of initially offering to engage Iran had convinced world powers to form a united front against Tehran when it did not respond to the ... more

US to Simulate 'Iranian Attack'

Sanctioning Iran a Dangerous, Illegal Move  by Rep. Ron Paul

Possible Unintended Consequences of Regime Change in Iran  by Stephen M. Walt

US races against time over Iran
The United States House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would sanction companies selling refined petroleum to Iran. The legislation is likely to be stalled, though, as President Barack Obama scrambles to gather international support over Tehran ahead of a year-end deadline. New accusations about Iran's nuclear program add to the pressure. (Dec 16, '09)

lets face the facts. the U.S government lied about Iraq, with un substantial intelligence such as what we see with this new trigger Device UD3. the U.S should be the last nation to lecture anyone one or any other country about nukes. they were the first to use it  and develope it. they let the cat out of the bag  and it aint going back in.  Iran with nukes is a very creepy idea I agree but then they are not stupid enough to use one if they manage to crack the secret of building one. the real issue is once Iran gets nuke capabilities it changes the whole playing field and U.S EU, dominance in the middle east. and they plane simply don't like that Idea

Iran test-fires its most advanced missile Iran on Wednesday test-fired an upgraded version of its most advanced missile, which is capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe, in a new show of strength aimed at preventing any military strike against it amid the nuclear standoff with the West. The test stoked tensions between Iran and the West, which is pressing Tehran to rein in its nuclear program. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it showed the need for tougher U.N. sanctions on Iran

White House condemns Iran missile test
The White House responded sharply Wednesday to word that Iran has tested an upgraded version of its most advanced missile, which is capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe. "At a time when the international community has offered Iran opportunities to begin to build trust and confidence, Iran's missile tests only undermine Iran's claims of peaceful intentions," said Mike Hammer, a National Security Council spokesman. "Such actions will increase the seriousness and resolve of the international community to hold Iran accountable for its continued defiance of its international obligations on its nuclear program.

US sees Iran edging closer to nuclear arms knowhow

With sanctions looming, US sees Iran moving in direction of a nuclear arms capability

Several U.S. officials familiar with the reportedly-secret Iranian technical document said that its authenticity has not been confirmed, but that it is part of a broader pattern of evidence suggesting Iran is laying groundwork to build a nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently insisted its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.

US Says Iran Edging Closer to Nukes Knowhow

Obama told China: I can't stop Israel strike on Iran indefinitely

Israeli officials, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the United States had informed Israel on Obama's meetings in Beijing on Iran. They said Obama made it clear to Hu that at some point the United States would no longer be able to prevent Israel from acting as it saw fit in response to the perceived Iranian threat.

Since Obama's visit, the Chinese have refused to join any measures to impose sanctions. The Israeli officials say the Chinese have been giving unclear answers and have not been responding to the claims by Western nations. Beijing has been making do with statements such as "the time has not yet arrived for sanctions."

China's actions are particularly problematic because China will take over the presidency of the UN Security Council in January. Western diplomats say China would have no choice but to join in sanctions if Russia agrees to support them, but China could delay discussions and postpone any decision until February, when France becomes council president.

Obama told China: I can't stop Israel strike on Iran indefinitely

Israeli officials, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the United States had informed Israel on Obama's meetings in Beijing on Iran. They said Obama made it clear to Hu that at some point the United States would no longer be able to prevent Israel from acting as it saw fit in response to the perceived Iranian threat.

Since Obama's visit, the Chinese have refused to join any measures to impose sanctions. The Israeli officials say the Chinese have been giving unclear answers and have not been responding to the claims by Western nations. Beijing has been making do with statements such as "the time has not yet arrived for sanctions."
Obama Told China: I Can't Stop Israel Strike on Iran Indefinitely

China's actions are particularly problematic because China will take over the presidency of the UN Security Council in January. Western diplomats say China would have no choice but to join in sanctions if Russia agrees to support them, but China could delay discussions and postpone any decision until February, when France becomes council president.

White House Sees UN Support for Iran Penalties

Dear God, Snuffy, you can wirte and post more than one story.

If Obama can't control his own party and get things accomplished in the USA, how is he going to have any effect on Israel?

If there were tougher sanctions in the cannon, don't you think we would have used them by now?

Good grief, blast'm already.

Iran blasts off ahead of countdownThe "smoking gun" that accuses Iran of experimenting with a nuclear trigger device may well be a fake. Far more real are the threatened sanctions making their way through the United States Congress, and the end-December deadline for Tehran to respond to international demands on the nuclear issue. Test-firing a ballistic missile is not the kind of response expected.

House Approves Gasoline Cutoff Bill on Iran Despite Warnings Martin Matishak, Global Security Newswire The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would punish foreign companies that sell gasoline to Iran, or assist it with its own domestic refining ability, despite warnings that the measure was not likely to compel a change in that country's nuclear policies (see GSN, Dec. 15).
Full Article

Defiant Iran test-fires missile, drawing Western censure
Tehran (AFP) Dec 16, 2009 - Iran on Wednesday test-fired what it said was a faster version of a medium-range missile which could allow it to strike Israel, drawing international censure and warnings of "serious" fallout. The defiant test of the Sejil 2 (Lethal Stone) missile comes as world powers mull fresh sanctions against the Islamic republic for its controversial nuclear enrichment programme. "It hit the ... more