Iran soon to showcase controversial Emad missile.

Iran soon to showcase controversial Emad missile. (Taz).

Iran will showcase its Emad ballistic missile during the Iranian revolution anniversary demonstrations on Feb. 11, said the Propagation Office of Iranian Defense Ministry Feb. 9.

The Emad is the latest generation of Iran’s long-range ground-to-ground ballistic missiles, which can be guided to assure that intended targets are hit, according to the Iranian officials.

In October 2015, Iran test fired the Emad missile triggering controversies.

In particular, several Western sources claimed that Tehran violated the UN Security Council’s resolution 2231 by test-firing the Emad, suggesting it is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The UNSC resolution 2231, adopted July 20, 2015, endorses the nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers and calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles that can deliver nuclear weapons, as well as launching ballistic missiles, such as Emad.

The Defense Ministry’s Propagation Office today also said that during the revolution anniversary demonstrations, Iran will demonstrate its Simorgh satellite carrier as well.



Simorgh is a two-phase satellite carrier, built by Iran’s defense industry sector as part of the country’s aerospace program. It can deliver the satellites up to 100 kilogram of weight to the 500-kilometer orbit.

The Simorgh features a first stage built from bundling four separate 64,000-pound-thrust engines and a 30,000-pound-thrust engine as a second stage. Although Iran has acknowledged a lift capacity of just 100 kilograms, Nader Uskowi, a Washington-based consultant and blogger on Iran, said optimization of its current design should allow for delivering a 700-kilogram payload into low Earth orbit.

Despite its size, Simorgh as currently designed falls far short of meeting ICBM-class thrust-to-payload requirements, experts say. “This mammoth cannot carry a reasonable re-entry vehicle the 10,000 kilometers needed to reach the United States,” said Uzi Rubin, a former director of Israel’s Missile Defense Organization who consults internationally on missile development programs.

“It’s not the capability that’s significant, but the audacity of the whole thing,” said Rubin. “These guys are thinking big time. They’re diligently following a road map that includes the ability to project strategic power beyond this region.”

Given the rigorous pace and demonstrated achievements of Iran’s missile development program, the Simorgh “could be Iran’s road to an ICBM,” said Tal Inbar, director of Israel’s Fisher Institute Space Research Center.

“For now, it’s untested and extremely inefficient, but in the future, it could be configured to deliver a crude payload to the continental United States,” he said. Hmmm......Anyone seeing similarities to North Korea's 'satellite carrier'? Read the full story here.

Iranian officers visiting North Korea

Satellite images expose Iran's Duplicitous Nuclear Strategy.

Satellite images expose Iran's Duplicitous Nuclear Strategy. HT: Stratfor.

Iran's nuclear deal with the West has come into effect, but that does not mean international concerns about Tehran's nuclear program have been fully resolved. Iran has continued to develop certain military technologies, including ballistic missiles, that could someday be used to support nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, it has kept its activities at several military installations around the country cloaked in secrecy.

Satellite imagery provided by our partners at AllSource Analysis gives a clear picture of the dual nature of Iran's approach to its nuclear program throughout its negotiations with the West.

The pictures of the Parchin Military Complex, taken in July 2010 and January 2016, respectively, show how Tehran removed potentially incriminating traces of activity at the site while talks were ongoing. It also constructed an underground facility within the complex, where research and weapons development could be concealed. Read the full story here.

Iran's Basij Commander: US Bought Freedom of Spies by Releasing $1.7 bln of Iran's Frozen Assets.

Iran's Basij Commander: US Bought Freedom of Spies by Releasing $1.7 bln of Iran's Frozen Assets. (Fars).

Commander of Iran's Basij (volunteer) Force Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said the US agreed to release $1.7 of Iran's frozen funds in a bid to buy freedom of its spies held by Tehran.

The US agreed to repay Iran a $400 million debt and $1.3 billion in interest dating to the Islamic revolution.

"The annulment of sanctions against Iran's Bank Sepah and reclaiming of $1.7mln of Iran's frozen assets after 36 years showed that the US doesn’t understand anything but the language of force," Naqdi said, addressing Basij forces in Tehran on Wednesday.

"This money was returned for the freedom of the US spy and it was not related to the (nuclear) negotiations," he added.

4 Iranian-American nationals who were held for various charges in Iran were freed under a prisoners swap deal on Saturday after the implementation of the nuclear deal clinched between Tehran and the world powers in July. A fifth inmate was also released separately.

"Based on an approval of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and the overall interests of the Islamic Republic, four Iranian prisoners with dual-nationality were freed today within the framework of a prisoner swap deal," the office of Tehran prosecutor said.

The four Iranian-Americans, Jason Rezaian, Amir Hekmat, Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosrawi Roudsari who were jailed in Iran on various charges in recent years, have all been released.

Meantime, a US official said a fifth dual nationality prisoner would also be released by Iran separate from the swap deal. Later reports named this fifth prisoner as Mathew Trevithick.

According to the swap deal, the US also freed 7 Iranian-Americans who were held for sanctions-related charges and asked the Interpol to stop prosecution of 14 other Iranian nationals. 

But according to what Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said on Monday, the number of the Iranians whose charges have been dropped stands at 21.

The 7 Iranian inmates freed by the US were named as Nader Modanlou, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afqahi, Arash Ghahreman, Touraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Sabounchi.

The 14 Iranians who were mentioned in earlier reports and had charges dropped on Saturday included Saeed Jamili, Jalal Salami, Matin Sadeqi, Alireza Moazzemi Goudarzi, Mohammad Abbas Mohammadi, Kourosh Taherkhani, Sajjad Farhadi, Seyed Ahmad Abtahi, Gholamreza Mahmoudi, Hamid Arabnejad, Ali Moattar, Mohammad Ali She'rbaf, Amin Ravan and Behrouz Dolatzadeh.

Jaberi Ansari did not name the other 7 Iranians whose charges have been dropped.

Republican presidential front-runner Trump pledges to move US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Republican presidential front-runner Trump pledges to move US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (Jpost).

Republican presidential front-runner seems to make about-face from prior remarks on committing to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital.

“They want it in Jerusalem,” the front-runner among Republican presidential candidates said in an interview posted Tuesday by The Brody File, a Christian Broadcasting Network show. “Well I am for that 100 percent. We are for that 100 percent.”

David Brody, the CBN journalist, had asked Trump whether he agreed with GOP rivals, including Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who have pledged to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem once elected.

Trump’s agreement seemed to be an about-face from remarks in December at the Republican Jewish Coalition, when the real estate magnate refused to commit to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital.

Calling US President Barack Obama “the worst thing that has ever happened to Israel” for negotiating the recent Iran-nuclear deal, Trump pledged loyalty to Israel. Read the full story here.             

US Treasury imposes new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran.

US Treasury imposes new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran. (RT).

The US Treasury says it is imposing new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran after Tehran released five American prisoners. The move also comes less than a day after some of the sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program were removed by the US and EU.

Washington has imposed sanctions on 11 companies and individuals for helping to supply Iran’s ballistic missile program, the Treasury Department stated.

“Iran’s ballistic missile program poses a significant threat to regional and global security, and it will continue to be subject to international sanctions,” Adam J. Szubin, acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a press release.

“We have consistently made clear that the United States will vigorously press sanctions against Iranian activities outside of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – including those related to Iran’s support for terrorism, regional destabilization, human rights abuses, and ballistic missile program.”

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control says it will also block the assets of Mabrooka Trading, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, for providing Iran with parts used in their ballistic missiles. Others sanctioned include companies and individuals involved in the program, which supervised the testing of two ballistic missiles in 2015.

President Barack Obama’s administration delayed implementing the sanctions for more than two weeks, while negotiations to release two US prisoners being held in Iran were taking place, Reuters reported, citing its sources.

Obama is also expected to make a statement later on Sunday, regarding the Iran deal and the release of five prisoners. Hmmmm......First you let them build and test the missile ...than you sanction them, closing the barn after the cow escaped. 

Iran got Pres Obama to cancel sanctions over illegal missile test by threatening to scuttle prisoner swap.

Iran got Pres Obama to cancel sanctions over illegal missile test by threatening to scuttle prisoner swap. (Reuters).

The day before the Obama administration was due to slap new sanctions on Iran late last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry the move could derail a prisoner deal the two sides had been negotiating in secret for months.

Kerry and other top aides to President Barack Obama, who was vacationing in Hawaii, convened a series of conference calls and concluded they could not risk losing the chance to free Americans held by Tehran.

At the last minute, the Obama administration officials decided to delay a package of limited and targeted sanctions intended to penalize Iran for recent test-firings of a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

This account of previously unreported internal deliberations was provided by two people with knowledge of the matter.

A third official said Obama had approved the decision to delay the sanctions.

A U.S. official said on Saturday there was no connection between the nuclear deal and the release of the Americans.

The prisoner swap could also come under scrutiny from critics who have questioned the Obama administration’s resolve in dealing with Iran and ability to follow through on its pledge to keep a hard line on sanctions outside those imposed on its nuclear program.

Details of the prisoner talks were a closely held secret, so even within the Obama administration few people realized how perilously close the swap came to falling through.

On Dec. 29, Kerry told Zarif the United States intended to impose new sanctions on Iran over the missile test firings, which were deemed to have violated a United Nations ban, according to a U.S. official and congressional sources.

Zarif countered that if Washington went ahead, the prisoner swap was off, the sources said.

Kerry spoke by phone that night with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and a White House official and the decision was made to hold off on any sanctions announcement, they said. Hmmm........Four prisoners in exchange for ICBM tests ......What could go wrong? Read the full story here.

Related:

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons still believes Obama 'admin' will implement Iran sanctions.

Israeli source: Iran will first invest freed-up funds in military aid for Hezbollah and Hamas

Israeli source: Iran will first invest freed-up funds in military aid for Hezbollah and Hamas. (TOI).

Hamas and Hezbollah will soon find themselves in possession of upgraded weaponry thanks to Tehran, official tells Army Radio.

The economic sanctions on Iran would most probably be lifted Saturday, a source in Jerusalem told Army Radio, and he warned that the first investment by the Islamic Republic would be military and not civilian.

The unnamed source said that Iran’s first priority would be to spend its newly freed-up funds on military acquisitions, and not on civilian investments, Army Radio reported.

Furthermore, the source said, the implementation of the agreement would have a direct impact on the region, as terror groups Hezbollah and Hamas — both recipients of Iranian largesse — found themselves in possession of new and modern weaponry.

Zarif and Mogherini met Saturday in Vienna to “finalize” last July’s nuclear deal, the EU foreign policy chief said on Twitter. Read the full story here.

Iran FM Zarif : Sanctions to be lifted today

Iran FM Zarif : Sanctions to be lifted today. (Taz).

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that by implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, aka nuclear deal) the sanctions on the country will be lifted today.

Zarif made the remarks upon his arrival in Vienna, Austria to meet with his US counterpart John Kerry and the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini over the Iran nuclear deal, the state IRINN TV reported Jan. 16.

International sanctions were imposed on Iran with regard to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
“An IAEA report, verifying that Iran has fulfilled its commitments under the JCPOA, will be issued today,” Zarif said, adding after that, Iran and P5+1 will today issue a joint statement and the implementation of the nuclear deal will start.


He added that the nuclear deal’s implementation indicates that the problems can be settled via diplomacy, not through pressures or sanctions.

Earlier, Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said that the guideline of removing the US and EU sanctions against the Islamic Republic were finalized last week.

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons still believes Obama 'admin' will implement Iran sanctions.

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons still believes Obama 'admin' will implement Iran sanctions. (NCRI).

United States Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) is calling for President Barack Obama to move forward with new sanctions against Iran's regime over a pair of recent ballistic missile tests, The Hill reported on Monday.

"I don't know why the administration has hesitated, but I am urging them publicly and privately to move ahead with those designations," he told reporters. "I am concerned with the hesitation to move forward with the ballistic missile related designations."

Sen. Coons is among a growing number of Democrats, including some who supported the Iran nuclear deal, who have called on the president to take a firm response to two missile tests late last year. They argue that the administration's response should show Iran's regime that it will not be able to cheat on the nuclear agreement.

The Obama administration suggested late last year that it was preparing new sanctions against individuals tied to the Iranian regime's missile program, before walking back those statements.

Sen. Coons, who supported the Iran nuclear deal, said it was "very clearly communicated and it played a role in my decision" to support the nuclear agreement that the United States was still able to sanction Iran's regime on non-nuclear issues including its missile program or support for terrorist groups.

The administration has gotten bipartisan criticism over its handling of the Iranian missile tests, which lawmakers say violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.


Senate Republicans are calling on Obama to block lifting sanctions under the Iran nuclear deal because of the recent ballistic missile tests, rejecting the administration's argument that the two are separate issues. The move would likely undermine the nuclear agreement. Hmmmm......Liberals and Democrats they really believe anything you tell them.

US to raise Iran's missile test at United Nations on Wednesday.

US to raise Iran's missile test at United Nations on Wednesday. (Taz).

The United States plans to raise Iran's recent missile test in the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, UN diplomats said, after Washington declared that the launch had violated a U.N. ban on ballistic missile tests by Tehran, Reuters reported.

Iran said this month it had tested a new precision-guided ballistic missile. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, has said that the medium-range missile was capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

UN diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States planned to raise the issue during a meeting of the 15-member Security Council.

The United States is also preparing a report on the incident for the Security Council's Iran Sanctions Committee, Power said.

Iran has disputed the US assessment that the missile tested was capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

"None of the Islamic Republic of Iran's missiles has been designed for a nuclear capability," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

"Rather they have been designed for the legitimate defense of the Islamic Republic's sovereignty and territory," he said.

Council diplomats have told Reuters it was possible to sanction additional Iranian individuals or entities by adding them to an existing U.N. blacklist. However, they noted that Russia and China, which have opposed the sanctions on Iran's missile program, might block any such moves.

Iran’s missile program was restricted through United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929 

Ballistic missile tests by Iran are banned under a 2010 Security Council resolution which remains valid until a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers is implemented.

Under that deal, reached on July 14, most sanctions on Iran will be lifted in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Once it takes effect, Iran will still be "called upon" to refrain from any work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons for up to eight years.

The deal allows for supply of ballistic missile technology to Tehran with Security Council approval, but the United States has pledged to veto any such requests. Those restrictions on ballistic missile technology will be in place for eight years.

The missile test is not a violation of the nuclear deal, US officials have said.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday conditionally approved the nuclear deal, but warned that the agreement would be violated if any of the six world powers imposed any sanctions on any level and under any pretext.

The US has already considered some old versions of Iranian-made missiles such as the Shahab series capable of being equipped with nuclear warheads.

Video - North Korean footage during military drills, reportedly 2015

North Korea KN-09 (Russian KH-35 copy) AShM launch footage, reportedly from June 2015. (AsiaDefNews)

Massive military movements spotted near China-N. Korea border, China warning N.Korea 'stop it...or else'.

@rConflictNews: Tank Destroyers Near North Korea's border seen on trains In Yanji #China - @Breaking911 pic.twitter.com/Giz00KiBXS #tcot #ccot

— sleeptalker (@AdamsAncestor) August 24, 2015

Massive military movements spotted near China-N. Korea border.(NKNews).

Military experts see China telling North Korea to halt further inflamations of current tension.

The movements of a mechanical unit at least the size of a brigade were spotted in the city of Yanji, China, in the autonomous region of Yanbian bordering North Korea.

According to pictures released on Chinese blogs, the mechanical units of the People’s Liberation Army were composed of PTZ-89 tank destroyers (Type 89), a PGZ-95 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (Type 95 SPAAA) and 155 mm self-propelled guns.

Pictures were first uploaded on the China-based microblogging service Weibo around Saturday. Despite the sudden and irregular movement of troops, the Chinese government has not confirmed or officially reported on the incident yet.

“The Chinese authorities appear to be censoring posts on the topic of the Yanji deployment by Weibo users and independent bloggers, as well as preventing media coverage of the troop movements,” said NK News China specialist Jennifer Dodgson. “Nevertheless, posts on Chinese internet forums citing overseas Chinese media reports on the matter continue to surface, including on state-owned platforms.”

“From what I know, it is not the first time they have sent units as big as this near the China–North Korea border,” said Kim Min-seok, researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum. “During the bombardment of Yeonpyeong in 2010 and after the purge of Jang Song Thaek in 2013, Chinese units were quickly sent to the area to prevent any unexpected surprises from the China-North Korea border.”

Kim also said that these mechanized units have one purpose, which is “to quickly resolve the inflamed situation by marching in North Korea, if necessary.”

“China’s message is simple: Their units are focused on quickly invading North Korea as fast as they can, suppressing all opponents with the maximum fire power that Chinese mechanized units can provide,” Kim said. “Also, these light-weight mechanized units will survive North Korea’s poor road conditions, which conventional heavy tanks can’t.”

He also noted that China’s PLA has repeatedly trained for crossing the Yalu River many times before, meaning that the Chinese Army would not find it hard to cross the river into North Korea should such an action become necessary.

“That mechanical brigade alone is powerful enough to obliterate the border defenses of North Korea, even before they realize it is coming. But they are certainly not strong enough to stand against the ROK-U.S. joint forces.”

The message, one expert said, is a reply to one the North previously sent China’s way.

“This is no joke, China is sending a very simple message to North Korea,” said Cha Du-hyeogn, the former secretary to President Lee Myung-bak for crisis information. “Back on (Friday), North Korea publicly stated that ‘no country in the world can stop’ North Korea from further escalating the current situation, and that message was directly aimed to tackle China, for them possibly trying to interfere and disrupt the goal that North Korea was trying to achieve from these recent provocations.”

Cha said that this movement is for demonstration purposes only, not for an actual invasion of North Korea.

“These movements are certainly not just for enhancing the border defenses between China and North Korea. Armed police forces are responsible for the China-North Korea border, but these units have nothing to do with border defenses, nor do they belong to the armed police.”

“But China won’t invade North Korea as it would only increase international tension. If there is one thing that China and the U.S. have in common, is that they neither one want to see North Korea become the center of an international incident,” he said. “China’s message is strong and simple: ‘Yes, we can stop you, if necessary.’”

He said, however, that this demonstration was not aimed against the U.S. or South Korea.

“If China really wanted to send a message against South Korea and the U.S., they would have used the navy or air force as weapon of choice, as none of the countries mentioned above share a land border with China. But why would they want to agitate South Korea and the U.S. when North Korea is clearly causing mayhem for the world?” Read the full story here.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says reports of North Korea deploying landing craft are not true.

— Alastair Gale (@AlastairGale) August 24, 2015

#SouthKorea to remove speakers from border with #NorthKorea if tensions ease http://t.co/fc6ld5xvgO pic.twitter.com/h6F4q0Q5ZS

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) August 24, 2015

Reports of North Korea deploying landing craft towards the frontline are not true: http://t.co/CE3fQk1hXh

— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) August 24, 2015

North Korea Sends 20 Assault Hovercraft to Yellow Sea http://t.co/G1yTYuiS0B

— Hussain (@HussainAlfa) August 24, 2015

North Korea Is Deploying Largest Submarine Fleet Since Korean War http://t.co/1AMSl0wcgb pic.twitter.com/AaY07rN0l7

— Y u no breaking news (@discoveringabot) August 24, 2015

Projections of #NorthKorea’s missile range. pic.twitter.com/ytwkIKvUNU

— Abishur Prakash (@AbishurPrakash) August 24, 2015

The US is ready to send B-52 bombers to South Korea if tensions with North Korea get any worse http://t.co/K0ZLpaS1TP

— Business Insider UK (@BI_Europe) August 24, 2015

#Russia #news If North Korea strikes, the West will shudder http://t.co/tJcm9hylex

— Pravda (@Eng_PravdaRu) August 24, 2015

Below The loudspeakers that started it all.

Seoul Loses Track of Over 50 North Korean Submarines Allegedly Headed for Operations.

Seoul Loses Track of Over 50 North Korean Submarines Allegedly Headed for Operations. (SP).

The South Korean military cannot locate over 50 North Korean submarines which have allegedly set sail from their bases in the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan.

"Seventy percent of North Korea's submarines left their bases, and their locations are not confirmed," a South Korean military source was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

North Korea is known to have a fleet of around 70 submarines.

Earlier, it was reported that the North has also doubled the number of its artillery forces along the border, near the demilitarized zone. The news came just a day the conflicting neighbors held the first round of high-level talks to reduce tensions that escalated earlier this week. Earlier in the day, local media reported that Seoul and Pyongyang would continue the high-level talks later Sunday.

The tensions on the Korean peninsula escalated on Thursday, as North Korea reportedly fired shells at a South Korean military base across the demilitarized zone. Seoul was quick to retaliate with dozens of heavy artillery rounds.

REMINDER: Virtually everything you hear from TV talking heads & MSM "experts" on North Korea is completely wrong: http://t.co/rUKXqSURKV

— John Schindler (@20committee) August 23, 2015

Chinese tank destroyers moving towards N Korea border. pic.twitter.com/6YjSUEHj2H

— WarMonitor (@USCitizen95) August 23, 2015

Korea Preparing For Nuclear War http://t.co/hGat68tzOc. pic.twitter.com/gCUxok3Wdc

— The Real Strategy (@RealStrategyFan) August 23, 2015

North Korea will “retaliate against the US with tremendous muscle” if the US does not cancel the war games - Official.

North Korea will “retaliate against the US with tremendous muscle” if the US does not cancel the war games - Official. (Taz).

North Korea says it will attack the United States if Washington does not cancel the multinational military exercises which are slated to begin on Monday, PressTV reported.

The yearly exercises, called Ulchi Freedom Guardian, will be carried out by the US, South Korea and other allies to enhance “readiness, protect the region and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula," read a statement from the Korea-US Combined Forces Command.

“The further Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint military exercises are intensified, the stronger military counteraction the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] will take to cope with them,” said a spokesman for North Korea’s National Defense Commission on Saturday.

North Korea will “retaliate against the US with tremendous muscle” if the US does not cancel the war games, he said

The spokesman added that the North Korean army and people “are no longer what they used to be in the past when they had to counter the US nukes with rifles.”

Pyongyang is an “invincible power” and the country’s army possesses the “latest offensive and defensive means unknown to the world,” he stated.

Also, North Korean state television KCNA said Saturday that Washington has to stop the exercises “immediately” if the “United States wants its mainland to be safe.”

Tens of thousands of American and South Korean military forces are scheduled to take part in the joint exercise which will last for 12 days.

In addition, other US allies, including Australia, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France and New Zealand will participate in the drills.

North Korea is under UN sanctions over launching rockets considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic missiles aimed at delivering nuclear warheads, but Pyongyang says its numerous missile tests seek to boost defense capabilities in the face of enemy threats.

Iranian MPs in statement ask for resumption of missile tests.

Iran’s missile program was restricted through United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929 


Iranian MPs in statement ask for resumption of missile tests. (Taz).

Members of the Iranian Parliament in a statement addressed to Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi asked for the resumption of missile tests.

The MPs are signing a statement in which they have asked Firouzabadi to order the resumption of the Islamic Republic’s missile tests, MP Ali Taheri said during a parliament session, Fars news agency reported August 10.

He added the request comes as response to recent military threats by the United States.

In a letter addressed to the Parliament last week, Firouzabadi had asked the MPs not to sign Iran’s recent nuclear agreement -- called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA – because, he said, wrong interpretations of the deal by the US could affect Iran’s military power.

However, he said in the same letter that the deal had some important positive points -- which he categorized under 16 entries -- that critics have overlooked.

The JCPOA has put bans on Iran’s research and building of missiles that could carry nuclear warheads.

Iranian diplomats who reached the deal with the six world powers called the group 5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) refer to this point and say since Iran has no plan to build nuclear-related missiles, its missile program is practically not restricted by the deal.

However, some critics inside Iran believe that the US could claim any sort of missile developed by Iran and capable of carrying nuclear warheads, thus putting strict limits on the country’s missile program.


The US has already considered some old versions of Iranian-made missiles such as the Shahab series capable of being equipped with nuclear warheads. Hmmm.....I'm starting to wonder when they'll ask for the keys of the White House?

Russia Changing details & Price S-300 Contract with Iran, delivery by 2016

Russia Changing details and Price S-300 Contract with Iran, delivery by 2016.(Presstv).

Russia is assembling its S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system to begin its shipment to Iran by 2016, the Kremlin’s top official for the arms trade says.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Vladimir Kozhin, President Vladimir Putin’s aide on military-technical cooperation, added that Moscow is also modernizing some parts of the system and changing contract terms such as the pricing.

“The Iranians want them as soon as possible, and we are trying too. There is activity to prepare new legal contracts, new conditions and thus prepare systems for delivery,” Kozhin said.

He added that some of the military systems that had been intended for sale to Iran were supplied to other clients, and that some parts of other S-300 systems stored across Russia have undergone “serious modernization” with the passage of years. Hmmm.....As i pointed out months ago, the S-300 Iran bought years ago is no longer produced, left only the possibility of delivery of that type from Russian army units who have that type....or change the contract. Read the full story here.

Obama's BFF Iran says IAEA report legally problematic.

Obama's BFF Iran says IAEA report legally problematic. (Taz).

Iran has said that a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Iranian nuclear program contains legal problems.

Behrooz Kamalvandi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said that the report is repetitive and contains unfounded accusations, Mehr news agency reported May 30.

The report is going to be referred to the UN Security Council Board of Directors next week.

Referring to IAEA Secretary General Yukiya Amano’s statement of inability to express any idea about Iran's “unannounced” nuclear activities, Kamalvandi said that the issue can be addressed via the Additional Protocol to the NPT and furthermore, Iran believes its activities are peaceful, something the IAEA also confirms.

He also pointed to the impression that the IAEA may have the authority to inspect any place in Iran at any time and said that the impression is not true.

“Even the Additional Protocol would not give the IAEA such a privilege, neither about Iran nor about any other country,” Kamalvandi asserted.

Commenting on IAEA request to visit Iran's Parchin military site, Kamalvandi said that upon a request by the agency in 2011, a report was filed that listed people, documents, and places demanded by the IAEA in 23 items.

Access was given so as to give the IAEA the chance to say that it has had no unvisited place.
“Under situations when we are holding talks with the group 5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) as UN Security Council members and have granted that Iran's peaceful activities be continued with some voluntary limitations, the IAEA points to the issue of the suspension of our activities in the Security Council,” Kamalvandi said.


“If the IAEA considers UN Security Council resolutions, then it must take into consideration the agreements we had with the 5+1 as well. Therefore, the IAEA secretary general’s report has problems,” he concluded. Hmmm.....How dare the IAEA ask all these Questions when Obama already approved everything.

UN Nuke agency report: 'Assessment of allegations that Tehran worked on atomic arms essentially stalled.'

UN Nuke agency report: 'Assessment of allegations that Tehran worked on atomic arms essentially stalled.' (NCRI).

Amid nuclear negociations between the six world powers and the Iranian regime, the U.N. atomic agency on Friday reported that work on a key element — an assessment of allegations that Tehran worked on atomic arms — remains essentially stalled, The Associated Press reported from Vienna.

The report from the International Atomic Energy Agency also reiterated that more cooperation is needed by Tehran for full clarity on its present activities. 

Without it, the IAEA said it cannot "conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."

Diplomats in Vienna view Iran's reluctance to open up to investigators from the International Atomic Energy Agency as a sign of its reluctance to cooperate fully until punitive sanctions imposed on it are lifted as part of any settlement with the powers, Reuters reported.

The IAEA is focused on 12 activities that point to clerical regime’s attempts to make nuclear weapons, including activities related to work on the development on a nuclear payload for missiles.

The IAEA relaunched its probe two years ago by asking for information on less sensitive work related to nuclear arms that may have been carried out by Tehran, with hopes of moving to larger issues later.

Since August, "Iran has yet to propose any new practical measures" to bring the investigation forward, said the report.

The IAEA report, issued to the agency's 35-nation board and the U.N. Security Council, said it remains "concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear-related activities involving military-related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for missiles."

"Iran is required to cooperate fully with the Agency on all outstanding issues."

The Vienna-based IAEA also said it remained vital that Iran respond to the agency's questions on and access to the Parchin military base, where Western officials suspect Tehran conducted explosives tests relevant to nuclear bombs.

"The (IAEA) remains ready to accelerate the resolution of all outstanding issues under the Framework for Cooperation. This can be realized by increased cooperation by Iran and by the timely provision of access to all relevant information, documentation, sites, material and personnel in Iran as requested by the agency," the report said.

A tentative agreement was reached between the Iranian regime, the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Russia and China on April 2.

But pivotal issues remain unresolved, including the pace of easing Western sanctions and the extent of monitoring and verification measures to ensure Tehran honours any agreement.


The Iranian regime has ruled out any nuclear inspector access to its military bases, a position rejected by the Western powers.

Video - IRAN: Nuclear cooperation between Iran regime & North Korea, NCRI reveals

According to the information from various sources inside of the clerical regime, a delegation from North Korea including experts in nuclear warhead, and various elements of ballistic were present in the country for one week at the end of April.

The information obtained by the PMOI (MEK) network is based on dozens of reports from various sources inside of the clerical regime, in particular from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), which is in charge of working on the weaponization aspect of the nuclear program, and also the Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO).

Due to high security sensitivities, the nuclear and missile delegations from North Korea both enter and leave Iran in total secrecy. The revelations provided detailed information on the exact location of the place where North Koreans stayed in the country.

Iranian officers in North Korea

Those that visited this year stayed in the special guest house of the AIO near a Hemat Industries site in the Khojeir area, located in North-east of Tehran. According to complied reports, delegations of experts and commanders of the IRGC and MoD, particularly those in the fields of nuclear and missile-related activities visit North Korea regularly.

The Iranian resistance exposed the activities and work on a nuclear warhead in Khojeir area in February 2008.

The next delegation of North Korean experts is scheduled to arrive in Iran in June and will be comprised of nine experts.

Mr. Shahin Gobadi, PMOI spokesman, said: “the above information reveals another aspect of the Iranian regime’s secret nuclear weapons program. It is another indication that so far as the clerical regime is concerned, it has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons program and that the drive to acquire nuclear weapons remains at the core of the regime’s nuclear program. This is the message of extensive cooperation with North Korea and presence of Tehran’s key nuclear figure during North Korean nuclear test.”

“This conduct is in keeping with the positions of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials of the regime”

Mr. Gobadi added: “Both IAEA inspections of military sites and interviews with nuclear scientists. Tehran’s objectives are nothing but continuing the regime’s policy of concealment and duplicity in a bid to complete and advance its nuclear projects. “ Hmmmm......Obama's BFF Iran.

North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile Experts Visit Iran’s Nuclear Sites – Report.

North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile Experts Visit Iran’s Nuclear Sites – Report. (SP).

A team of North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile experts visited a military site near Tehran in April amid talks between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program, media reported Thursday, citing an exiled Iranian opposition group.

Citing information from sources inside Iran, including within Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) said the seven person North Korean Defense Ministry team was in Iran during the last week of April.

It was the third time since January that North Koreans had travelled to Iran, and a nine person delegation was due to return in June.

There have previously been unconfirmed reports of ties between the two countries on ballistic missile cooperation, although nothing specific in the nuclear field.

The IAEA, which for years has been investigating alleged nuclear arms research by Tehran, declined to comment. Iranian officials declined to comment.

North Korean officials were not available for comment.

Several Western officials said they were not aware of a North Korean delegation traveling to Iran recently.

North Korea said earlier this month that it has the ability to miniaturize nuclear weapons, a key step toward building nuclear missiles.

In October 2015 Pyongyang plans to launch a long-range ballistic missile. Hmmm.....What could go wrong?

Related: North Korea Can Miniaturize a Nuclear Weapon, and use on ICBM.

South Korea: North Korea Has 'Significant' Tech To Build Mini Nuclear Device.