Iran Newsclips, January 20, 2015
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Key U.S. senator opposes 'rush' to vote on Iran nuclear sanctions, Reuters
Price: A nuclear agreement with Iran will make us safer. Peremptory demands from Congress won't, The Guardian
Senator to push for Iran sanctions – or a say on any deal, AP
Opening Round Iran Sanctions Fight Kicks off in Senate, AP
Congress takes first step on Iran sanctions, Al-Monitor
Pillar: A Sanity Check from London on Iran, Lobe Log
UN: Iran Honors Pledge to Temporarily Freeze Nuke Program, AP
Slow progress on Iran talks, Al-Monitor
Iran lauds meeting with Kerry for advancing nuclear talks, Radio Zamaneh
Pickering and Luers: Cuba and Iran: A New Era for American Diplomacy? Huffington Post
Editorial: Obama, Congress and Iran, Wall Street Journal
Editorial: Iran doesn’t hesitate to use a human pawn as nuclear negotiations go on, Washington Post
Gharib: Why WaPo Gets the Iran Sanctions Fight Wrong, Lobe Log
Former PM Barak: To go nuclear, Iran is waiting for the world to be paralyzed, Haaretz
Former Iranian leader calls on UN to promote "reconciliation," Radio Zamaneh
Israel didn't target Iranian general in strike: source, Reuters
Iran's IRGC Warns Israel Following Air Strike That Killed Iranian Commander, RFE/RL
Hezbollah figure killed in Syria had ties to Soleimani, Al-Monitor
Russia may send S-300 missile system to Iran – media, Reuters
Argentine prosecutor who accused Fernandez of Iran plot found dead, Reuters
Iran says is ready for 'straight talks' with Saudi Arabia, Reuters
The kiss that sent Saudi’s Iran ambassador home, Al-Monitor
Iran Just Cancelled Its Space Program, Medium
Reformists make plans for 2016 parliamentary elections, Radio Zamaneh
Behind the recent turmoil in Iran’s parliament, Al-Monitor
Oil falls again as IMF cuts forecast; Iran hints at $25 oil, Reuters
Key U.S. senator opposes 'rush' to vote on Iran nuclear sanctions, Reuters, January 20, 2015
The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee said on Tuesday he did not want to rush to vote on legislation to impose more sanctions on Iran, speaking a day after the panel said it would delay hearings on the issue for a week. "There's not a rush on this. These negotiations are going forward. I don't want to disrupt the negotiations," Senator Sherrod Brown, the ranking member of the banking committee, told reporters at the U.S. Capitol.
Price: A nuclear agreement with Iran will make us safer. Peremptory demands from Congress won't, The Guardian, January 20, 2015
The new Republican leadership in Congress has indicated that new, punitive measures against Iran might be among its first orders of business, even though diplomatic talks with our international alliance are entering a promising new stage. If my colleagues are serious about restraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions, they will resist the temptation to intervene and instead let our negotiators finish the job.
Senator to push for Iran sanctions – or a say on any deal, AP, January 18, 2015
A leading Republican critic of President Barack Obama's foreign policy is pushing new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, unswayed by a White House veto threat and lobbying by Britain's leader. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina did say Sunday that he would be willing to set aside his efforts if Obama would submit any agreement with Tehran to Congress for lawmakers to approve or reject. An Obama adviser scoffed at the idea as an infringement on presidential authority.
Opening Round Iran Sanctions Fight Kicks off in Senate, AP, January 20, 2015
Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said he's worried that Iran is holding firm while the U.S., the European Union and the other international partners move closer to the Iranian point of view. "Whether it's the intelligence agencies in Israel or the people we deal with around the world, I have had no one yet say that Congress weighing in on this deal would do anything but strengthen the administration's hand and help cause this process to come to fruition," Corker said Tuesday.
Congress takes first step on Iran sanctions, Al-Monitor, January 18, 2015
President Barack Obama is expected to make a forceful case against the new sanctions push in his State of the Union address on the night of Jan. 21. The very next morning, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., will hold a hearing on "the status of talks and the role of Congress."
Pillar: A Sanity Check from London on Iran, Lobe Log, January 19, 2015
Those in this group, and anyone else who might genuinely but mistakenly believe that passage of this bill would aid negotiations, would do well to pay close attention to the comments on this subject from British Prime Minister David Cameron, in a joint press conference with President Obama at the White House on Friday. “On Iran,” said Cameron, “we remain absolutely committed to ensuring that Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. The best way to achieve that now is to create the space for negotiations to succeed. We should not impose further sanctions now; that would be counterproductive and it could put at risk the valuable international unity that has been so crucial to our approach.”
UN: Iran Honors Pledge to Temporarily Freeze Nuke Program, AP, January 20, 2015
The monthly IAEA update said it continued to observe its obligations and was: not enriching uranium above 5 percent, which is substantially below the 90-percent level needed for the fissile core of a nuclear weapon; diluting or converting most of its stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium, which can be further enriched to weapons-grade material much more quickly than at 5 percent level; not advancing work at an underground uranium enrichment facility thought impervious to last-resort air attacks in an effort to stop Iran's nuclear program; maintaining a construction freeze on nearly finished reactor that would produce substantial amounts of plutonium — like highly enriched uranium a source for fissile warhead material.
Slow progress on Iran talks, Al-Monitor, January 18, 2015
Diplomats from Iran and the six world powers (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, or P5+1), did not make as much progress in accelerating nuclear deal talks here this week as they had hoped, but “We are moving in the right direction,” a senior Iranian diplomat said Jan. 18. “[We held] serious, business-like, good discussions today,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at the conclusion of talks Jan. 18 between Iran and the P5+1. “We are still trying to bridge gaps between the two sides.”
Iran lauds meeting with Kerry for advancing nuclear talks, Radio Zamaneh, January 20, 2015
Zarif told reporters on Monday that there has been all-around agreement on all general issues. “The principle of enrichment, the lifting of sanctions and the preservation of Iran’s nuclear programs have been accepted by all parties,” Zarif said, and now it is down to working out the details. The next round of talks with the 5+1 to reach a comprehensive deal to end the nuclear disputes with Iran is to take place next month.
Pickering and Luers: Cuba and Iran: A New Era for American Diplomacy? Huffington Post, January 20, 2015
How can the President enlist Congress in this new diplomatic strategy, since it will eventually determine the success or failure of these two deals? Only Congress can lift the embargo and sanctions. Presidential leadership skills combined with positive changes over time in Cuba and Iran will impact the public sentiment and Congressional willingness to support new policies toward these adversaries. Americans, who increasingly oppose costly conflict, may come to recognize that the U.S. would be better off with a Cuba and an Iran (without nuclear weapons) as functioning members of the international community.
Editorial: Obama, Congress and Iran, Wall Street Journal, January 20, 2015
Mr. Obama’s real reason for opposing the bill may be that he knows it is also a message to him not to strike a bad deal. The talks have already devolved from a demand that Iran give up its nuclear program to how much of a “window” Iran will have to build a bomb. Mr. Kerry wants at least a year, as if Iran couldn’t disguise its progress. In any case this boils down to negotiating the terms of how easily Iran can violate the deal it is supposedly pledging not to violate. That is the measure of how much Iran has gained in these talks so far.
Editorial: Iran doesn’t hesitate to use a human pawn as nuclear negotiations go on, Washington Post, January 17, 2015
Common sense suggests the certain prospect of more punishment for an already-damaged economy would make the regime of Ali Khamenei more rather than less likely to offer the concessions necessary for a deal.
Gharib: Why WaPo Gets the Iran Sanctions Fight Wrong, Lobe Log, January 19, 2015
Either way, it’s dishonest by omission to pretend that Obama’s reticence to see new sanctions emanates from some unfounded overabundance of caution, rather than the on-the-record responses of Iran’s top negotiator to precisely the question of delayed-trigger sanctions. The Post owes it to its readers to make this issue in the ongoing sanctions fight clear. And the editorial board ought to come out and say it if they don’t think the Iranians’ threat to back out of talks is serious—and then lay out all the attendant risks of calling their bluff. As for Jason’s plight, his fate may be unjustly tied to the nuclear talks, but prematurely killing diplomacy certainly won’t help secure his freedom.
Former PM Barak: To go nuclear, Iran is waiting for the world to be paralyzed, Haaretz, January 16, 2015
The Iranians, who are excellent at assessing the situation, believe that the American administration has changed its aim from one goal — that there not be a militarily nuclear Iran — to another goal without acknowledging it — that there not be a military nuclear Iran ‘on our watch.’ The Iranians seek to buy time to wait for the opportunity where ... the world can’t deal with them for a year. Then they’ll run and we could face an established fact.
Former Iranian leader calls on UN to promote "reconciliation," Radio Zamaneh, January 18, 2015
Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami has issued an open letter to the United Nations Secretary General calling for immediate action to “achieve historic reconciliation” in response to growing extremism across the world. In a letter published on his website on Thursday January 15, Khatami refers to Iranian initiatives for “Dialogue among Civilizations” and “Coalition for Peace”, saying that after the events of September 11, “some thought that with a coalition to fight terrorism, this ominous phenomenon could be uprooted. But had this decision been successful, why would we be seeing such waves of terrorism all across the world?”
Israel didn't target Iranian general in strike: source, Reuters, January 20, 2015
An Iranian general killed in an Israeli air strike in Syria was not its intended target, and Israel believed it was attacking only low-ranking guerrillas, a senior security source said on Tuesday. The remarks by the Israeli source, who declined to be identified because Israel has not officially confirmed it carried out the strike, appeared aimed at containing any escalation with Iran or the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla group.
Iran's IRGC Warns Israel Following Air Strike That Killed Iranian Commander, RFE/RL, January 20, 2015
The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) warned on January 20 that Israel should expect "devastating thunderbolts" in response to the January 18 air strike in Syria that killed an IRGC general and several members of the Lebanese Hizballah militia. In a statement posted on Iranian news sites, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said the killing of Iranian and Hizballah forces in the Israeli attack, created "another starting point" in the collapse of the "Zionist regime." "They've seen our anger in the past," Jafari said while promising continued support for "Muslim fighters in the region."
Hezbollah figure killed in Syria had ties to Soleimani, Al-Monitor, January 19, 2015
According to reports, Soleimani was seen talking to Jihad during the funeral and introduced him to guests who arrived to pay their respects. Fars News reported that the relationship between Soleimani and Jihad was such that some people “assumed Jihad was Soleimani’s son.”
Russia may send S-300 missile system to Iran – media, Reuters, January 20, 2015
Russia might deliver a long-overdue S-300 air defense missile system to Iran, honoring a contract that was canceled in 2010 following strong pressure from the West, Iranian and Russian media said on Tuesday. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is visiting Tehran and signed an agreement with Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan to boost cooperation, Iran's Fars semi-official news agency said. … Dmitry Medvedev, then the Russian president, canceled a contract to supply Tehran with the advanced missile system in 2010 in the wake of U.N. sanctions imposed on Iran over its disputed nuclear program. The United States and Israel heavily lobbied Russia to block the missile sale, saying it could be used to shield Iran's nuclear facilities from possible future air strikes. Iran in turn has taken Russia to arbitration to finalize the sale.
Argentine prosecutor who accused Fernandez of Iran plot found dead, Reuters, January 20, 2015
A prosecutor who accused Argentina's president of orchestrating a cover-up in the investigation of Iran over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center was found dead in his apartment with a gunshot wound to the head, the government said on Monday. The body of Alberto Nisman, who for a decade investigated the blast at the Buenos Aires AMIA Jewish community center that killed 85 people, was discovered on Sunday night. He had been due to testify on Monday at a congressional inquiry into his allegations.
Iran says is ready for 'straight talks' with Saudi Arabia, Reuters, January 20, 2015
The two countries, struggling for regional influence and power, have backed opposite sides in the Syria and Yemen conflicts and argued over global oil prices. An Iranian official said this week Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif delayed a visit to Saudi Arabia in protest against Riyadh's refusal to cut crude output and help lift prices. But Admiral Ali Shamkhani, a top security aide to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said his country "is now quite ready to for straight, clear and continuous talks spanning the whole range of mutual interests with Saudi Arabia."
The kiss that sent Saudi’s Iran ambassador home, Al-Monitor, January 20, 2015
The first incident dates back to April 2014, when Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Iran, Abdulrahman Bin Groman Shahri, met Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani in Tehran. Rafsanjani, keen to build better relations with Saudi Arabia, shared pictures of the meeting on his personal website, including of the Saudi ambassador kissing Rafsanjani on the forehead during their greeting. The kiss caused a backlash on Twitter by Saudis. According to Amir-Abdollahian, who spoke with Iranian paper Shargh Daily, Shahri was summoned back to Saudi Arabia. Amir-Abollahian was told by other officials that the kiss had created a controversy in Riyadh.
Iran Just Cancelled Its Space Program, Medium, January 17, 2015
Saddam Hussein-era Iraq, Libya and Zambia also had space programs meant to boost their people’s spirits. But exploring space is a bit too costly to do just for propaganda purposes. Today Iran is in a severe financial crisis. Tehran couldn’t afford to keep burning money on failed, pointless launches. Iran also suffers from a massive brain-drain, with many of its young scientists leaving the country to work in the West.
Reformists make plans for 2016 parliamentary elections, Radio Zamaneh, January 16, 2015
A number of participants also called for the release of the opposition leaders at Thursday’s Reformist Convention. The head of the Expediency Council, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, called on the convention to make every effort to enlist maximum participation in the elections through official political and party activity. Former president and top reformist figure Mohammad Khatami did not attend the convention, instead sending a message of support. The reformists had not been able to have a convention since the controversial 2009 presidential election, which led to widespread allegations of fraud and mass protests. Reformist candidates from the 2009 election have been under house arrest since 2011.
Behind the recent turmoil in Iran’s parliament, Al-Monitor, January 18, 2015
The issue that Motahari raised is one that few political figures — both Reformist and conservative — have an appetite to confront, given the consequences of doing so. In August 2014, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned President Hassan Rouhani and other officials that “issues pertaining to the sedition [mass protests after the disputed 2009 presidential elections and the emergence of the Reformist Green Movement] and seditionists are a red line that officials should adhere to.” Nevertheless, the Jan. 11 event was not an isolated incident. From every corner of the conservatives’ camp — political and military figures, newspapers and websites — attacks on the Green Movement and its supporters has suddenly intensified.
Oil falls again as IMF cuts forecast; Iran hints at $25 oil, Reuters, January 20, 2015
Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said Tehran saw no signs of a shift within OPEC towards action to support oil prices, and that the industry could ride out a further slump toward $25.