Iran in the News
"Therefore the Lord says, The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies." (Isaiah 1:24)
1. Iran refuses to budge at Vienna nuclear conference - AP
A standoff pitting Iran against most others delegations at a 130-nation nuclear conference deepened Friday, with organizers adjourning the third straight session in as many days without breaking a deadlock over the language of the meeting's agenda.
At issue is Tehran's refusal to accept a phrase calling for the "need for full compliance with" the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Several diplomats said Tehran had not formally submitted any proposed amendment. They suggested the Islamic republic was interested mostly in blocking the meeting out of concerns that it would be called to task for its defiance of U.N. demands that it freeze enrichment.
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty calls on nations to pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons in exchange for a commitment by five nuclear powers - the U.S., Russia, Britain, France and China - to move toward nuclear disarmament. India and Pakistan, known nuclear weapons states, remain outside the treaty, as does Israel, which is considered to have such arms but has not acknowledged it.
2. Bahrain Prepares For Iran - U.S. War - MENL
Bahraini officials said the Gulf Arab kingdom has been working with Western allies to protect strategic sites from Iranian missile strikes amid any war with the United States. They said Bahrain has been introducing measures to protect against Iranian infiltration and respond rapidly to any missile or insurgency strike.
"We at the Interior Ministry have made plans to deal with the possible threats," Bahraini Interior Minister Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said.
3. USA, Russia Close to Finalizing Trade Embargo on Iran - Israel National News
There is growing agreement between the USA and Russia regarding the need for a UN resolution banning all private companies from engaging in private trade with Iran because of the Islamic Republic's nuclear development program.
According to Israel government radio, diplomatic sources in Washington said that Russia will not support a Security Council resolution tightening sanctions on Iran if European countries do not do their part as well. Moscow wants limits placed on business activity by European companies, especially in new oil and gas ventures.
Russia claims it has suffered more than other countries from sanctions against Iran, because of delays in the creation of the nuclear facility at Bushehr.
