'Iran's Ballistic Missile Development Program Not Confined to Any Range': Defense Minister.

'Iran's Ballistic Missile Development Program Not Confined to Any Range': Defense Minister. (Fars).

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan underlined that his country sees no limit for the range of the ballistic missiles that it is developing.

"We don’t have any limit for the range of liquid or solid-fueled ballistic missiles," Dehqan said in a meeting in the Central city of Isfahan on Saturday.

He underlined the indigenous nature of most Iranian weapons and military equipment, and said, "90 percent of the country's defense systems have reached an acceptable standard and enjoy competitive quality compared with the weapons of advanced countries; production of the national individual weapons and efforts to improve the quality and precision-striking power of ballistic missiles are among the defense ministry's achievements in the defense field."

General Dehqan added that Iranian experts have also taken long strides in building satellites, satellite carriers, missile launchpads and research work in defense areas.

His remarks came as the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) fired 2 home-made 'Qadr H' ballistic missiles from the Eastern Alborz Mountains at a target in Iran's Southeastern Makran seashore some 1400km away in March.

The missiles were fired on the sidelines of the main stage of the IRGC drills in Central Iran and various parts of the country.

One missile had a message written on it that said in Hebrew: "Israel should be wiped off the Earth".

Qadr is a 2000km-range, liquid-fuel and ballistic missile which can reach territories as far as Israel.

The missile can carry different types of ‘Blast’ and ‘MRV’ (Multiple Reentry Vehicle) payloads to destroy a range of targets. The new version of Qadr H can be launched from mobile platforms or silos in different positions and can escape missile defense shields due to their radar-evading capability.

Improved warhead designs allow smaller warheads for a given yield, while better electronics and guidance systems allowed greater accuracy. As a result MIRV technology has proven more attractive than MRV for advanced nations. 

Because of the larger amount of nuclear material consumed by MRVs and MIRVs, single warhead missiles are more attractive for nations with less advanced technology. The United States deployed an MRV payload on the Polaris A-3. The Soviet Union deployed MRVs on the SS-9 Mod 4 ICBM. Hmmmm.....Anyone remembering how Iran's BFF North Korea is working on miniaturized nuclear warheads?

Putin: NATO’s missile shield in Romania: 'It's not a defense system, it's a breach of strategic balance'.

Putin: NATO’s missile shield complex activation in Romania: 'It's not a defense system, it's a breach of strategic balance'. (Tass).

The deployment of a radar system in Romania complicates the international situation around Russia, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with military commanders on Friday.

"The latest developments suggest that the situation is not changing for the better. Unfortunately, it is being aggravated, considering the deployment of a radar station in Romania as an element of the US missile defense shield system," Putin said.

Russia has numerously voiced its concerns over the deployment of NATO’s missile shield and offered cooperation with US partners, which was actually rejected, Putin said.

"We have spoken a lot about our concerns, proposed cooperation and joint work with American partners. All this was rejected, as a matter of fact," Putin said at a meeting on the development of Russia’s defense industry. He expressed regret that Washington offered no concrete work on this issue.

‘Now that the elements of the [NATO] missile defense system have been deployed [in Europe], we will have to think of how to reduce the threats arising for Russia’s national security," the head of state noted.

"We are not going to be dragged into this race but we will follow our own path and will work extremely carefully in order not to exceed our plans to finance the retooling of our army and fleet, which we drafted a few years ago. However, we are going to adjust these plans to reduce threats to Russia’s national security," he added. Hmmm.........Kaliningrad. Read the full story here.

Obama's BFF Iran says to meet no limitations regarding missiles.

Obama's BFF Iran says to meet no limitations regarding missiles. (Taz).

Iran Army Commander Ataollah Salehi has said the country will meet no limitation regarding its missile system.

The official further said that Iran would not allow any foreign authority to access its missile facilities either, Fars news agency reported Sept. 22.

Asked of his opinion about restrictions on Iran’s missile program under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Salehi said the technical terms of the JCPOA are different from media reports claiming such restrictions.

There are reports that the JCPOA contains parts that restrict Iran’s military program, missile capabilities in particular. Some parties in Iran worry that the terms of the deal are arranged so as to weaken the country militarily.


On the possibility of Iran-US cooperation in fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), he said since the US is actually the one that operates the terrorist group, Iran cannot have any cooperation with the US in that regard.

Video - Iranian General Salami: Our Missiles, Drones Can Target U.S. Aircraft Carriers Anywhere in Region

Video - Iranian General Baloni Salami: Our Missiles, Drones Can Target U.S. Aircraft Carriers Anywhere in Region.

In a recent TV interview, IRGC Deputy Commander Brigadier-General Hossein Salami said that Iran was capable We are capable "of targeting [U.S.] airbases anywhere in the region" by means of its stealth missiles. "Their aircraft carriers are completely within the range of our ballistic missiles," he said. Salami further said that Iran has long-range combat drones capable of attacking "air bases and aircraft carriers alike." The interview aired on IRINN TV on September 15, 2015.

Iranian 'Hard line' clerics strongly criticize US's nuclear position.

Iranian 'Hard line' clerics strongly criticize US's nuclear position. (Taz).

Friday prayer leaders in Iran strongly criticized the U.S.' position in nuclear talks with Iran, as negotiators are increasingly demonstrate hopes for settling the nuclear dispute.

Tehran Friday prayer leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Khatami alarmed Iranian nuclear delegation team to leave the negotiation table whenever they feel that the U.S. poses a threatening approach, Fars News Agency reported May 8.

Mashhad city's Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda said that the U.S.' position implies its desire to destroys Iran's nuclear facilities.

He recommended that the Iranian delegation avoid trusting Washington, reminding them that Iran's late supreme leader (Imam Khomeini) called the U.S. a "big devil".

Shiraz city's Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Asadoolah Imani said, "the U.S. is in worst condition in term of honor ever." According to ISNA, he said that continuance of nuclear talks under the shadow of threats is meaningless anymore and Iranian delegation must not tolerate that.

Tabriz city's Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohsen Mojtahed Shabastari also said that Iran's nuclear negotiation team should obey the supreme leader's (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) commands and defend the country's honor.

Iran's clerics criticism came after Ayatollah Khamenei said on May 6 that the Islamic Republic would not accept nuclear negotiations, if they were conducted under the shadow of threats.

Khamenei said the US also needs to negotiate with Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear case.
“Their need for negotiation is not less than Iran, but even more,” Khamanei said, the supreme leader’s official website reported.

Khamenei further said that Iranian nuclear negotiators should be committed to the “red lines.”

“They should negotiate with respect to the red lines, but should not accept the imposition, humiliation and threats,” Khamenei said.

IRGC Commander: Invasion of Iran Sparks Global Muslim War on US.

IRGC Commander: Invasion of Iran Sparks Global Muslim War on US. (Fars).

Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami warned that any military aggression against Iran will ignite a worldwide Muslim war on the US and its interests across the globe.

"When the arrogant powers grow united in different directions to weaken the Islamic community, we should use our different capacities to fight against the enemy, and the Islamic Iran has gained many experiences in fighting against the enemy so far," Salami said, addressing a ceremony in the Central city of Qom on Wednesday.

He also warned of the different methods and ways used by the enemies to confront Iran and weaken the country, and said they have now resorted to economic pressures against Tehran.

Meantime, Salami downplayed the enemies' attempts and war rhetoric against Iran, and said, "War against Iran will mobilize the Muslim world against the US, an issue which is very well known by the enemy."

In relevant remarks in March, Salami said that the country's Armed Forces are fully capable of defending Iran against any enemy, including the western powers.

“Through these drills we want to show the enemy that our hands are not tied up in the face of the enemy’s various options … we are completely versatile,” he underlined.

Salami said that one of the main objectives behind the recent drills was to show off Iran's military might to the enemies.

“They (western powers) always try to replace political negotiations with the rhetoric of a threat; we want our enemies to become familiar with our defensive capabilities and don’t make a mistake in their calculations,” the IRGC commander said. 

Salami said the US government has always used its huge aircraft carriers to put political leverage on other countries.

Salami highlighted the precision and efficacy of the Khalij-e Fars (Persian Gulf) missiles which were used during the recent drills to hit the US mock-up carrier. He said the missiles should be viewed as a game-changer in Iran’s ballistic power as the projectile, known as carrier-killer, is Iran’s most potent anti-ship ballistic missile and easily destroys huge vessels like those of the US Navy.

According to the report, Iran's Navy has been transformed into a highly motivated, well-equipped, and well-financed force and is effectively in control of the world's oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz.

Since November 2008, the Iranian Navy has also conducted anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates. Hmmm....Just ask the Mearsk Tigris.

Iranian nuclear negotiating team subject to parliament's decisions – senior negotiator

Iranian nuclear negotiating team subject to parliament's decisions – senior negotiator.(Taz).

The Iranian nuclear team is subject to the country's parliament's decisions, senior Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi said.

“Parliament may decide to limit any cooperation and prevent us from signing any agreement. We will move according to the parliament's decision,” Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Araghchi as saying on May 6.

“We are working to prepare a plan for responding to questions on the Possible Military Dimensions of Iran's Nuclear Program, known as PMD, and also continuing cooperation with the IAEA and the P5+1 group.”

He went on to say that the Lausanne statement was a summarized one and a half page report of all that happened. However, the final deal would be over 20 pages with over 50 pages of appendices.
Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) will continue talks on Tehran’s nuclear program in New York till May 7.

Deputies of the Iranian foreign minister and the EU foreign policy chief are scheduled to continue talks on drafting the agreement from May 12 in Vienna.


Araghchi described the process as difficult, explaining that there'll be many bracketed points of disagreement in the text. He expressed hope that the first draft would come out within the next few days.

Related: Deputy FM: Iran not to accept beyond additional protocol

Iranian Arab expert: "Recognizing nuclear Iran will push Arab countries towards their own nuclear ambitions".

Iranian expert on Arab regional issues: "Recognizing nuclear Iran to push Arab countries towards their own nuclear ambitions". (Taz).

Recognizing Iran ’s nuclear program by the global community will pave grounds for more military competitions in the Middle East region, Hassan Hashemian, an Iranian expert on Arab regional issues said.

A possible nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic would push Arab countries towards their own nuclear ambitions, Hashemian told Trend May 5.

Iran and the P5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) reached a nuclear framework agreement on April 2 in Lausanne that raised hopes for achieving a comprehensive nuclear deal by June 30.

The deal provisions the removal of all international sanctions on Iran and in return narrowing the range of the country’s nuclear activities.

The agreement will recognize Iran ’s right to keep its nuclear program and uranium enrichment via almost 5000 active centrifuges.

The conditions predicted in deal will keep Iran 's “break-out time” to a nuclear bomb as long as one year, if the Islamic Republic decides to make it.

Hashemian believes that the Arab countries’ concerns are not about the number of the centrifuges.
Their concerns are security-related, the expert said, adding the Arab countries are concerned that the Islamic Republic will threaten regional countries to move towards producing a nuclear weapon.

They are concerned that the nuclear issue would play an important role in the regional security equations, Hashemian stressed.

Meanwhile the US administration has held various meetings with the region’s Arab leaders to reassure them about a possible nuclear deal with Iran, Hashemian added.

He further said the Arabic media is now focusing on the issue and the need for Arab countries to defend their national security by themselves.

Arab media argues that protecting national security by relying on the US is not enough and emphasizes that the Arab countries should take steps to safeguard their security by themselves or through cooperation with other countries such as France, Hashemian said. Hmmm.....So it has come to the point that the Arabs have more trust in the French then in the Obama 'Admin'.

French President Francois Hollande’s visit to the region should be considered within this perspective, he underlined.

France and Saudi Arabia believe that any future deal between Iran and the six major powers must ensure not to destabilize the region further and threaten Iran’s neighbors, Hollande and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said in a statement after meeting on May 4.

The visit to Riyadh, where Hollande also met Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, comes after a period where Paris has been able to nurture new links with the region following similar analysis to Gulf Arab states on crises and a perceived disengagement from traditional ally the United States.

“They wanted us to come so they could say to the Americans, look we also have France; it’s up to you to not get distanced and to be here with us,” said a French diplomat, Reuters reported May 5.

Hashemian believes that relying on France is an option for Arab countries as they most likely will move towards a nuclear program and even nuclear weapons to establish a balance with Iran.

They can also receive help from Pakistan in this case, the expert said.

Obama's New tricks & Answers on Iran Fail to impress.

Obama's New tricks and Answers on Iran Fail to impress. (Bloomberg).

Top Obama administration officials have released new details about how they would lift most sanctions against Iran. Those are unnerving some experts, who doubt the administration’s claims about the sanctions will hold up.

In speeches last week to a conference at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and Vice President Joe Biden revealed new details about the end of most sanctions against Iran if a nuclear deal is reached. The officials also claimed that most of the sanctions, including multilateral sanctions, could be snapped back into place if Iran cheated, and they argued that giving Iran tens of billions of dollars in cash won’t dramatically increase Iran’s spending on terrorism and other nefarious activities.

Lew spoke to a private meeting of Washington Institute members last Wednesday, after which Treasury posted his remarks.

He said that President Obama planned to use his own authority to suspend sanctions against Iran’s oil, banking and trade sectors after Iran complied with the initial parts of the deal and that Congress wouldn’t actually be asked to lift sanctions during his presidency.

“Only after many years of compliance would we ask Congress to vote to terminate sanctions, and only Congress can terminate legislative sanctions,” he said.

Lew said this suspension, rather than a legislative repeal of sanctions, would allow the administration to quickly reinstate U.S. sanctions if Iran is caught cheating. He also said that United Nations sanctions would be able to snap back easily and no single nation would be able to stop that.

“Lew is signaling that the administration is planning on delisting IRCG banks, energy companies and shipping companies, and perhaps the entire IRGC,” said Mark Dubowitz, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Hagar Chemali, a Treasury spokeswoman, told me Lew was not stating directly that the entire IRGC would be free from sanctions if a nuclear deal were signed.

“As we have stated numerous times, sanctions related to Iran’s support for terrorism, human rights and other destabilizing behavior will remain in force,” she said. “It would be a mistake to pre-judge any other potential future actions.”

Iran stands accused of violating the interim deal in a number of ways and also reportedly violated other parts of the existing sanctions regime, including by expanding an illicit nuclear procurement network that operates through two blacklisted firms.

Under the deal being discussed, Biden said, Iran would allow inspectors to visit “not only declared nuclear facilities, but undeclared sites where suspicious, clandestine work is suspected.” He said the the international community would have “the ability to challenge suspect locations.”

Experts following the talks say the Iranians have ruled out any access to military sites, which makes Biden’s pitch a little weak. Hmmm....As i said from day one the whole thing is a Nuclear garage sale. The pres does not have the authority to cancel Congress their actions. Read the full story here.

Iranian nuclear negotiator explains why 'Backroom' talks are complicated.

Iranian nuclear negotiator explains why 'Backroom' talks are complicated. (Taz).

Head of Iranian expert team of nuclear negotiations Hamid Baeedinejad elaborated on what has made complicated the nuclear talks on drafting the text of the comprehensive nuclear agreement.

Baeedinejad said nuclear issues and ways to lift sanctions are important questions that both sides are sensitive about.

He added each word or sentence suggested by one side about nuclear issues or sanctions carries high sensitivity for the other side.

The two have found solutions for major issues including enrichment, Arak reactor, Fordow and sanctions, but structure of statement is an issue still difficult to reach, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported May 4.

Baeedninejad continued when international talks like nuclear negotiations are held in difficult conditions, creativity to play with words gets priority.

'When content is an important issue in these conditions, finding proper words to serve the two sides' interests plays very important role to open the window to an agreement.'

“The issue is not only knowing the English language, but how to write the texts of such agreements. Understanding of such texts is difficult for those who are out of the negotiating table. So, elaborating on the talks and agreements needs technical, political and legal clarifications,” he added.

The Iranian diplomat said those who are out of the negotiating room are suggested to be patient in order to find precise meaning of the texts of agreement.

Baeedinejad said need to clarify commitments and measures using a language called 'constructive ambiguity' is very important in these international talks.

The measures taken by the two sides must be clear, transparent and un-interpretable. Any ambiguity may create misunderstanding and conflict in future, he underlined.

The head of Iranian nuclear expert team stressed the importance of spirit of multilateral understanding, saying this agreement has very complicated spirit. In fact, it is not just a political agreement on a public issue.

He further said that the technical aspects of the nuclear issue has turned it into a complicated technical and legal issue and reaching an agreement on it needs not only the two sides' political decisions but also exact review of the technical aspects to find due solutions.


Iran and the P5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) reached a nuclear framework agreement on April 2 in Lausanne that raised hopes for achieving a comprehensive nuclear deal by June 30. The deal provisions the removal of all international sanctions on Iran and in return narrowing the range of the country’s nuclear activities.

'Sanctions that Benefit' - US 'Big oil' delegation to visit Tehran.

'Sanctions that Benefit' - US 'Big oil' delegation to visit Tehran. (TaZ).

A US oil delegation is scheduled to visit Iran this week to study investment opportunities in the country’s oil industry.

The US delegation will hold meetings with Iranian officials, oil companies as well as contractors, the Islamic Republic’s Mehr news agency reported May 4.

Alongside studying investment opportunities, the US delegation will survey partnership with Iranian companies involved in oil industry.

Iran's Deputy Oil Minister in Petrochemical Affairs Abbas Sheri Moqaddam has confirmed the US delegation’s upcoming visit, forecasting that the visit will pave grounds for presence of the US international oil and gas companies in Iran once sanctions are lifted.

Abdolreza Haji Hosseinnejad, the managing director of Iran’s Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) said that an increasing number of international oil companies have been showing interest in Iran recently.

“For instance the representatives of Italy’s Eni Oil Company had a meeting with the Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh on May 3 to voice their readiness to enter joint ventures with Tehran,” Haji Hosseinnejad said.

He further said that many international companies are waiting the removal of sanctions against Iran and are ready to start activities here once the sanctions are lifted.

Earlier Mansour Moazzami Iran’s deputy oil minister said that Tehran needs about $30 billion per year to maintain its oil output and for development of oil projects, said. Decline in investments has lead to delay and halt in the development projects of the oil industry, Moazzami added.

Some experts believe the ongoing trend of oil price fall will force Iranian administration to halt its oil and gas projects.

It should be noted that by holding 157 billion barrels of recoverable crude oil reserves, Iran possesses the world’s fourth largest reserves of crude oil.

Iran's crude oil export was above 2.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2011, but the western sanctions imposed in mid-2012 have pushed Iranian oil export volume to around one mb/d in 2013.

After achieving an interim nuclear agreement in November 2013, Iran's oil export increased steadily to around 1.11 mb/d, however, the volume reportedly decreased slightly during recent months again.

Iran: "Negotiators must ensure UN Security Council resolutions revocation"

Iran: "Negotiators must ensure UN Security Council resolutions revocation". (TAZ).

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi on Sunday advised the Iranian nuclear negotiators to ensure revocation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions concerning chapter seven of the UN Charter, IRNA reported.

He said that the context of the comprehensive agreement with the Security Council members must include the clauses to make all the resolutions passed by the united Nations Security Council about the Iranian nuclear program are null and void.

He made it clear that the reference to chapter seven of the United Nations in the resolutions to single out the security concerns of the permanent members of the Security Council must be revoked by a new resolution of the United Nations Security Council.


Firouzabadi said that the negotiators must acknowledge the sovereign rights of the government enshrined by the Charter of the United Nations that no military site will be open to foreign inspection.  Hmmmm......All because we have nothing to hide.Much more on the 'Garage sale' deal here.

Iran's gas delivery to EU possible, but unrealistic now.

Iran's gas delivery to EU possible, but unrealistic now. (Taz).

Iranian officials say the country is keen to deliver natural gas to Europe. According to the head of National Iranian Gas Company Hamid Reza Araghi, European countries and Iran’s neighbors are willing to buy gas from Iran as more gas projects are coming online.

He said Iran would see its gas production reach 1 billion cubic meters a day (bcm/d) in three years as new phases of the gigantic offshore South Pars gas field are coming on stream.

Iran's current raw gas production level is reportedly about 660 mcm/d. The country has developed 10 phases of the giant South Pars gas field, which share about 8 percent of total conventional global gas reserves, while phases 12, 15 and 16 are commenced with half capacity.

South Pars was divided to 29 phases and the country is to increase gas production level to 720 mcm/d by the end of 2018 from South Pars.

"Although the we see South Pars’ gas production substantially rising over the coming years, we do not believe this (producing 720 mcm/d of gas) to be realistic in the near term," Homayoun Falakshahi, a Middle East Upstream Analyst for Wood Mackenzie told Trend on May 2.

He said gas production from South Pars will increase by 75% over the next five years, due to new phases coming on stream such as Phase 12, Phases 15-16 and Phases 17-18.

"These five phases will add around 64.5 bcma of production," Falakshahi said. "We estimate the whole field’s production capacity to approach 400 mcm/d come 2020."

Despite the progress at the South Pars and rising gas production, Iran is still needs more 20 bcm/a of gas delivery to its active power plants, while the gas re-injection level should double to above 60 bcm/a.

On the other hand, Iran has gas export agreement and memorandum of understandings with Oman, Iraq and Pakistan to export 40 bcm/a of gas to these countries in coming years. Currently, Iran delivers 9.76 bcm/a to Turkey.

Coming to the possible routes of gas delivery to the EU, Iran has to develop 9th cross-country pipeline, worth $6 billion, from South Pars towards Iran-Turkey borders.

Delivery gas from Iraq towards Syria and expanding this rout towards the EU seems impossible due to security crisis in the region.

Meanwhile, Stephen O'Rourke, a Research Director for Wood Mackenzie's Global Gas Service told Trend that "there is a possibility that this could happen."

"In order for Iran to deliver to the EU it would take an improvement in diplomatic relations, new pipeline capacity, and confidence from EU customers that Iran is capable to delivering agreed volumes," he said. 

 "This would most likely need the involvement of international oil companies or foreign national oil companies in the development of specific phases of South Pars which are ring-fenced for EU export".

EU put ban on gas import from Iran in 2012, but Tehran is negotiating with the P5+1 Gorup (the U.S., France, UK, Russia, China + Germany) to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal by June 30, which will pave the way for elimination of sanctions on Iran.


O'Rourke said that "the key factors here are the necessity of a nuclear deal and new, more attractive fiscal terms". Hmmm........Who want's to be depending on a bunch of crazy Mullahs?

Video - Obama to give his new BFF 'moderate & Peaceful' Iran a nuclear signing bonus.

Secure Freedom has launched a powerful one minute video on this topic at our new IranTruth.org website. You can also link directly to the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIYH0zivykQ
It is optimized to go viral and launches today with the hashtag #NoIranBombBonus.

Two Rep Senators pushing amendment requiring Iran to recognize Israel’s right to exist as part of any nuclear deal.

Two Rep Senators pushing amendment requiring Iran to recognize Israel’s right to exist as part of any nuclear deal. (TheHill).

Two junior conservatives blindsided Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Thursday by attempting to force a vote on an amendment that could derail the bipartisan Iran nuclear review bill.

Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is running for president, surprised McConnell by leapfrogging ahead of colleagues waiting for chances to get votes on their amendments.

They used a procedural maneuver to force McConnell to schedule a vote on an amendment requiring Iran to recognize Israel’s right to exist as part of any nuclear deal.

McConnell’s only way of avoiding the controversial amendment would be to file a motion to end debate on the Iran Nuclear Review Act, which would block Republicans from offering any amendments to the bill.

It would also represent a reversal of McConnell’s intention to allow amendments on legislation in the GOP-controlled Senate after he criticized Democrats for not doing so when they held the chamber.

The GOP leader now faces a tough choice over whether to save the Iran bill from a poison-pill amendment or to cut off debate and move to a swift final vote on the legislation — despite earlier pledges to allow a robust floor debate.

Rubio’s amendment calling for Iran to recognize Israel as part of a nuclear deal with the United States is dangerous because Iran would never agree to it, and so it might doom the nuclear talks.

Democrats have said they will not shoulder the burden of defeating it, meaning that the amendment would likely be approved if it were to come up for a vote.

That would likely lead the White House to veto the Iran legislation. Hmmm.....'YES WE CAN'. Read the full story here.

VP Biden Reiterates Conditions for Final Nuclear Agreement with Iran, Mention's Obama's red line.

VP Biden Reiterates Conditions for Final Nuclear Agreement with Iran, Mention's Obama's red line. (UOI).

Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday that reaching a final nuclear deal requires Iran to accept demands for access to its military sites suspected of nuclear activities, lifting of sanctions phased out over time, and a clear snapback mechanism at the UN Security Council should it violates the deal.

Biden, speaking at a dinner gala at the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Policy, expressed support for the emerging final Iran nuclear deal, saying the agreement would provide “a historic opportunity to forge an enduring peaceful solution.” The emerging deal, Biden added, would “radically” alter the timeline on Iran’s ability to achieve breakout capabilities.

Biden said if Iran does not accept the demands he had outlined, President Obama was ready to walk away from the talks. Hmmm.....I'm sure the Iranians are shaking in their boots now.

Zarif to respond Sen. Tom Cotton in "Iranian politeness"

Hey @JZarif, I hear you called me out today. If you’re so confident, let’s debate the Constitution. 1/4

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Here’s offer: meet in DC, @JZarif, time of your choosing to debate Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery, & terror. 2/4

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

I understand if you decline @JZarif after all, in your 20s, you hid in US during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die 3/4

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Not badge of courage @JZarif, to hide in US while your country fought war to survive-but shows cowardly character still on display today 4/4

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Zarif to respond Sen.Cotton in "Iranian politeness". (Taz).

Iranian Foriegn Minister Mohamamd Javad Zarif announced that he would respond to Senator Tom Cotton's vituperating tweet in "Iranian politeness".

Zarif wrote on his Facebook page on April 30 that he mentioned politely the name of Sen.Cotton during a meeting in New York University, but this senator responded with invective language on his tweeter account.

During a meeting at New York University, when Zarif was asked how soon Iran expects sanctions relief under a nuclear agreement with the U.S. and it's allies, he wrapped his answer with a swipe at the freshman senator, prompting laughter from the audience, and from moderator David Ignatius of The Washington Post.

A open letter instigated by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) to the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran and signed by 47 Republican senators was published last month.

The Republican Senator wrote on his Twitter on Wednesday, "Hey Zarif, I hear you called me out today. If you’re so confident, let’s debate the Constitution. Here’s offer: meet in DC, time of your choosing to debate Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery, and terror. I understand if you decline after all, in your 20s, you hid in US during Iran-Iraq War while peasants and kids were marched to die. Not badge of courage to hide in US while your country fought war to survive-but shows cowardly character still on display today".

Kerry: Netanyahu’s Iran ‘Mythology’ Not Going to Happen.

Kerry: Netanyahu’s Iran ‘Mythology’ Not Going to Happen. (Algemeiner).

Attempts by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a more stringent nuclear deal with Iran are “not gonna happen,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview published Tuesday.

“The whole mythology I’ve heard, from [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to Republican members of the House and Senate — ‘Oh, just squeeze them to death, raise the sanctions’ — not gonna happen,” Kerry told the Washington Post.

He said the deal in its current form would scale back the amount of time it would take Iran to produce enough fissile material to make a nuclear bomb from three months to one year, and it would require daily inspections of Iran’s enrichment facilities for the next “25 years.” Hmmmm....In other Obama 'admin' news Unicorns have been spotted on the Dark side of the Moon. Read the full 'Fairy tale' story here.

Britain informed UN monitors of an active Iranian nuclear procurement network.

Britain informed UN monitors of an active Iranian nuclear procurement network. (Taz).

Britain has informed a United Nations sanctions panel of an active Iranian nuclear procurement network linked to two blacklisted firms, according to a confidential report by the panel seen by Reuters.

The existence of such a network could add to Western concerns over whether Tehran can be trusted to adhere to a nuclear deal due by June 30 in which it would agree to restrict sensitive nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief.

Talks between six major powers and Tehran are approaching the final stages after they hammered out a preliminary agreement on April 2, with Iran committing to reduce the number of centrifuges it operates and other long-term nuclear limitations.

"The UK government informed the Panel on 20 April 2015 that it 'is aware of an active Iranian nuclear procurement network which has been associated with Iran's Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA) and Kalay Electric Company (KEC)'," the Panel of Experts said in its annual report. The panel monitors Iran's compliance with the U.N. sanctions regime.

KEC is under U.N. Security Council sanctions while TESA is under U.S. and European Union sanctions due to their suspected links to banned Iranian nuclear activities.

Iran, which is has been under sanctions for years, has a long history of illicit nuclear procurement using front companies and other methods of skirting sanctions.

That has enabled it to develop a substantial atomic program in spite of aggressive international efforts to curtail it, U.N. diplomats say. But analysts and Western intelligence officials say sanctions have slowed the development of Tehran’s nuclear program.

The United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency have repeatedly said that Tehran has so far complied with the terms of a limited agreement struck in November 2013 between Iran and the six powers involving some reductions in its nuclear activities, including enrichment.

The panel's document did not contain further details on the British report.

Nuclear enrichment centrifuges are used to purify uranium for use as fuel for power plants or, if purified to a very high level, in weapons.

Tehran denies allegations from Western powers and their allies that it is amassing the capability to produce nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian atomic energy program.

The panel said that the British information about the Iranian procurement network was received too recently for it to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations.

U.N. sanctions in place since 2006 bar Tehran from pursuing sensitive nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment, as well as ballistic missile work. There are also U.S. and EU sanctions on Iran, which have crippled its economy.

Officials at the U.N. missions of Britain and Iran were not immediately available for comment.

The panel said it had received no new reports from U.N. member states of confirmed cases of non-compliance involving Iranian nuclear procurement. However, it cautioned that the lack of such reports could be due to multiple reasons.

"The current situation with reporting could reflect a general reduction of procurement activities by the Iranian side or a political decision by some member states to refrain from reporting to avoid any possible negative impact on ongoing negotiations between ... Iran and (major powers)," it said.

Despite the lack of newly confirmed violations the panel said that "some member states informed the panel that according to their assessment, the Islamic Republic of Iran's procurement trends and (sanctions) circumvention techniques remain basically unchanged."

It cited an example of an unnamed member state saying that an Iranian entity had recently attempted to acquire compressors, a key component in the uranium enrichment process, using false end-user certificates in an attempt to evade controls.

The panel also said that a U.N.-sanctioned subsidiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), the Irano Hind Shipping Company (IHSC), has remained active without its assets being frozen as required under U.N. sanctions rules.

The report said IHSC continues to operate two oil tankers, Amin 2 and Tour 2, which have been transporting crude oil to Syria, as recently as after September 2014.


The government of Syria, which has been waging a war for four years against insurgents determined to topple it, is a staunch ally of Iran. Hmmm.........Where there is smoke.....there is fire.

'Yes WE Can' - U.S. Senate Votes Against Making Iran Nuclear Deal A Treaty.

'Yes WE Can' - U.S. Senate Votes Against Making Iran Nuclear Deal A Treaty. (YW).

The GOP-controlled Senate on Tuesday turned back an attempt to elevate any nuclear deal with Iran into a treaty, a vote that gave momentum to Republicans and Democrats trying to pass a bill giving Congress a chance to review and possibly reject any agreement with Tehran.

The amendment, filed by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, failed 39 to 57.

Supporters want the bill passed free of controversial add-ons they claim could scuttle negotiations with Tehran, draw a presidential veto or leave lawmakers with no say on a national security threat.

As written, the legislation would block President Barack Obama from waiving congressional sanctions for at least 30 days while lawmakers weigh in on any final deal the U.S. and five other nations can reach with Iran. And it would stipulate that if senators disapprove the deal, Obama would lose authority to waive certain economic penalties — an event that would certainly prompt a presidential veto.

The bill has gained tacit approval from Obama. He says he will sign it as written, but the White House warns that he will reconsider if the measure is substantially changed. Sen. Bob Corker, a lead sponsor of the bill and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the measure in its current form, has 67 backers, enough to override a presidential veto.

Corker and his supporters are trying to bat down more than 50 amendments have been introduced so far — all by Republicans.

Earlier in the day, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid warned GOP presidential hopefuls in the Senate not to use it as a “platform for their political ambitions.” He said the full Senate should pass the bill with the same bipartisanship that occurred in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which unanimously approved the measure 19-0.

The alternative to the bill is not a better bill, he said, “it is a deal without any meaningful congressional input.”

Johnson’s failed amendment would have turned any final nuclear agreement with Tehran into a treaty, requiring ratification by two-thirds of the Senate.

The amendment failed just hours after former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was national security adviser under President George W. Bush, said any Iran nuclear deal is an executive agreement that doesn’t need to be a treaty. 

“The proposed Iranian nuclear agreement is classically an executive agreement and doesn’t need to be a treaty with advice and consent of the Senate,” she said. “But Congress should be able to opine, given that congressionally mandated sanctions would have to be lifted.”

“By trying to deem this is a treaty is a losing effort,” said Corker, who consulted with Rice. “In essence, it will destroy our ability to have any say so in one of the biggest geopolitical events of our time.”

“We can wish it was a treaty or we could try to deem it a treaty, but the effect is we would have no role if we were to pass this amendment. … We will have no role in this. I urge people to vote ‘no.’”

It was the first vote on the dozens of amendments under consideration.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a White House hopeful, wants to amend the bill to require Iran’s leaders to publicly accept Israel’s right to exist, a nearly impossible mandate. 

Another presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz. R-Texas, hopes to put the onus on advocates to win congressional approval of a deal, and not on opponents to gather enough votes for rejection.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has filed an amendment that insists on international nuclear inspectors’ access to Iranian military sites. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., wants to restore a section of the initial bill that would require the president to certify every 90 days that it is not engaged in supporting terrorism against America. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., wants the bill to address four Americans being held in Iran.

“It is true that the negotiations underway have nothing to do with alleviating any kind of terrorist sanctions, human rights sanctions or ballistic missile testing sanctions,” Corker said. “Should Iran commit an act of terrorism against an American, sanctions would be the minimum thing, I think, they’d have to be worried about. I think bombs and missiles on heads would be the thing they’d have to be concerned about.”