Showing posts with label NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

DTN News - IRAN NUCLEAR FACTORS: Iran Misjudged West's Resolve In Nuclear Standoff - Analyst

DTN News - IRAN NUCLEAR FACTORS: Iran Misjudged West's Resolve In Nuclear Standoff - Analyst
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / TEHRAN, Iran - November 22, 2011: Grudgingly admired in the past by the West for its negotiating skills and by the Iranian nation for its uncompromising stance, Iran's leadership may have misjudged recent confrontational tactics in its nuclear standoff with big powers, analysts say.

Miscalculating both its own bargaining strength and world resolve on the nuclear dispute has weakened Iran's familiar blend of brinkmanship and conciliation, analysts say.

Iran dismissed on Tuesday fresh sanctions imposed by the United States, Britain and Canada, saying such steps would only intensify Iranian popular support for the nuclear program, which Washington and its allies say is a cover to build bombs.

The new sanctions target Iran's energy and financial sectors and France has proposed "unprecedented" new punitive action, including freezing the assets of the Iranian central bank and suspending purchases of Iran's oil.

The news pushed benchmark Brent crude above $107, reflecting concerns about escalating tensions with the world's fifth biggest crude exporter.

It is unclear how Iran's hardline conservative leadership will act, with hard calculation, national pride and Islamic outlook all part of the equation. But senior officials have repeatedly hinted that diplomacy would be the first recourse.

With international tension over Iran's disputed nuclear ambitions mounting, the clerical establishment is now ultimately cautious and tends to prefer a controlled crisis as opposed to full-blown confrontation, analysts and diplomats said.

"The regime is very worried about a military strike. They have mishandled the issue and it is now very difficult for them to reach any kind of compromise," said a senior European diplomat in Tehran, who asked not to be named.

"Also they are worried about a spread of the Arab Spring (popular protests) into Iran and cannot risk more economic pressure that can cause street protests."

Analysts say ordinary Iranians are becoming less admiring and more wary of the Islamic elite's uncompromising nuclear stance that has provoked international sanctions, given a perceived lack of transparency in the program that has raised fears abroad of a covert push to develop atomic bombs.

The sanctions are meant to coerce Iran into suspending sensitive nuclear work and negotiate seriously on a peaceful solution. The United States and Israel have not ruled out military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites if diplomacy and sanctions are ultimately judged to be futile.

MORE HARM THAN GOOD

Explicit threats issued by Iran in the past few weeks to inflict "harm and pain" on Israel, the United States and its allies and possibly to curb oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, "could do more harm than good," analysts said.

"By saying these things they boost the hardline stance of radicals in the West and in Israel," said analyst Saeed Leylaz.

However, a lack of stability in the Middle East, combined with Iran's ability to stir up trouble in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, do weigh on Western policymakers' minds when contemplating tougher action against Tehran, officials say.

"Their (Americans) hands are sufficiently tied down in the region ... The American nation cannot tolerate another overseas military flashpoint," said an Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Iran can also draw comfort from the anti-sanctions posture of veto-wielding Security Council members Russia and China, but by pursuing its confrontational stance it may overplay its hand.

"We do not by any means trust either China or Russia ... They backed the four U.N. resolutions against Iran," said the Iranian official. "But we have to play this card as we have no choice to prevent a military action."

Tough talk from Tehran about hitting back over the latest U.N. nuclear watchdog report - which prompted the latest sanctions due to intelligence suggesting Iran had worked on an atomic bomb design - may remain just that with no tangible effect, analysts say.

"Reviewing cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), or evaluating ties with Britain, will remain just rhetoric ... Iran is already isolated ... such moves would mean suicide for Iran," said the senior diplomat.

Iranian lawmakers are considering a review of the country's cooperation level with the IAEA over its hard-hitting report, but the parliamentary debate could last for weeks.

"FEARING SANCTIONS"

Public opinion long backed the hardline leadership's tough nuclear line, spurred on by a compliant local media that focuses on the West's perceived unfair treatment of Iran's nuclear case. However, dissenting voices have emerged since sanctions have started to bite and speculation of military strikes has risen.

"I fear sanctions because it means more economic pressure on ordinary people ... How are we ever going to cope with higher inflation?" said teacher Safanaz Soheili, 35, a single mother of two.

The crisis over Iran's atomic agenda is deepening, but Iran insists its nuclear program is not endangering world peace, citing a right to develop civilian nuclear energy as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears determined to pursue a radical agenda -- but analysts say decisions on major security and diplomatic issues, including nuclear, are only made by the country's most powerful figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who also has shown no sign of changing policy.

"The political infighting is deepening among the hardline rulers ... but it does not mean the regime will change its nuclear path," said Iranian political analyst Hasan Feghhi.

"Sanctions work in favor of Ahmadinejad, who will put the blame on the sanctions for his failure in the economic arena."

In the past few months capital flight from Iran has mushroomed and business is in deep recession. Feuding among senior figures in the conservative elite has multiplied.

"It's chaotic. The budget deficit has ballooned and international pressure is building," said merchant Mohsen Sarafizadeh.

(Editing by Mark Heinrich)


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

DTN News - IRAN NUCLEAR FACTORS: Israel Makes Missile UAV To Reach Iran

DTN News - IRAN NUCLEAR FACTORS: Israel Makes Missile UAV To Reach Iran
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - November 15, 2011: The Israeli Air Force (IAF) plans to begin operating an unmanned intelligence-gathering aerial vehicle with the ability to launch missiles that could 'fly as far as Iran', a report says.

Manufacturing the Heron TP, which in Israel is often referred to as the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) “that can reach Iran,” began in 2010 by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Jerusalem Post reported on Monday.

The IAF's largest UAV can fly for up to 45 hours, carry 1,000 kg payload and has the ability to launch missiles.

Amid the West's standoff with Iran over its nuclear program, both Tel Aviv and Washington have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike.

During a visit to the US in 2010, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded Washington launch a military attack against Tehran's nuclear program, saying that a “credible military threat by the United States is the only way to deter Iran.”

Netanyahu's call, however, was rejected by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

In May, a source close to prominent Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said Israeli jet fighters had conducted drills at a military base in Iraq in order to strike targets inside Iran.

According to the report, a considerable number of Israeli warplanes, including F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, and KC-10 jet fighters, were seen at al-Asad Airbase -- the second largest US military airbase in Iraq located in Anbar Province.

The report said that Iraqi officials had not been notified about the drills conducted in collaboration with the US military.

Iranian officials have stressed that any act of aggression by the US and Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities would meet a crushing response. They have repeatedly warned that any such measure could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.

Iran is accusing Israel of running a covert campaign against its military and nuclear power (weapons, according to the UN) program. Iran has admitted that it is under attack by another powerful Internet weapon (similar to Stuxnet). Many Iranians are blaming Israel for the recent deaths of senior researchers and officials in the Iranian missile and nuclear programs. Israel says nothing.

Israel is speeding up equipping its airliners with anti-missile systems. The recent collapse of the Kaddafi dictatorship in Libya allowed several Libyan arms depots to be looted, and Israel believes arms smugglers have moved shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles to Gaza and sold them to Hamas (who would use them against Israeli aircraft). Military aircraft already have anti-missile defenses (which detect the launch of the missile, then blind its guidance system with a laser.)

Israeli forces are becoming more successful in detecting and attacking Islamic terrorists in northern Gaza while rockets are moved and set up for firing. The use of UAVs and constant helicopter and aircraft patrols, plus intel on terrorist plans, has made it more dangerous to launch rockets.

In Gaza, Hamas is enjoying a jump in popularity because of the recent prisoner exchange (one Israeli soldier for over a thousand Palestinians), but there have also been more calls in Gaza for Hamas to release some of the hundreds of political prisoners it holds. Those who openly oppose Hamas in Gaza end up in jail, or worse. Hamas has been declining in popularity over the last few years, and is believed that it would lose another election. For that reason, Hamas has no plans to allow any more elections until it can get its poll numbers up.

November 8, 2011: The UN released a report accusing Iran of developing nuclear weapons. This is the first time the UN went that far. Israel has long been expected to attack Iran (as they did Iraq and Syria) if they felt their foe was getting too close to having nuclear weapons. But Israel refused to respond to the report.

November 6, 2011: Over the last few days, Israeli government websites have been attacked, and some were unavailable for hours. This was believed to be retaliation for recent attacks on Palestinian web sites. There was also leftist anger at the Israeli seizure of two ships that tried to break the Gaza blockade.

November 5, 2011: Israeli warplanes attacked Islamic terrorists in Gaza, in retaliation for rocket attacks on Israel.

November 3, 2011: Israeli warplanes attacked Islamic terrorists in Gaza, in retaliation for sniper attacks on Israeli troops along the border.

November 2, 2011: Israel test fired another of its Jericho 3 ballistic missiles (with a range of up to 5,000 kilometers).

November 1, 2011: The Israeli government has told its armed forces commanders to do whatever is necessary to halt the rockets being fired from Gaza into southern Israel. This would include another ground offensive. This order was given largely because the Islamic terrorists in Gaza are using longer range (up to 20 kilometers) rockets that can hit a larger number of more thickly populated areas.


*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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Monday, November 14, 2011

DTN News - IRAN NUCLEAR FACTORS: Israel Too Weak To Harm Iran Says Vahidi

DTN News - IRAN NUCLEAR FACTORS: Israel Too Weak To Harm Iran Says Vahidi
**DTN News - IRAN NUCLEAR FACTORS: China Warns Of Turmoil Over Iran, Mute On Sanctions....dated November 9, 2011
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / TEHRAN, Iran - November 14, 2011: Amid speculations about the possibility of an Israeli attack against Iranian nuclear sites, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi insists the Israeli regime is too weak to harm the Islamic Republic.

Any attempt by the “Zionist regime” to enter into a conflict with a power such as Iran will be suicidal, said Vahidi, speaking Sunday to reporters at the sideline of a ceremony, unveiling three types of sport and hunting weapons.

“Anytime the Zionist regime desires to commit suicide, it should then adopt such a decision,” the top general said, quoted in an IRIB report.

As Iran has repeatedly emphasized, the Islamic Republic will firmly respond to any foreign threat in a manner that would make the enemy think twice before engaging in any sort of aggression against the nation, the minister emphasized.

Vahidi reiterated that an attack against Iran by the Israeli regime will spell into an end to its existence.

Washington and the Tel Aviv regime have repeatedly threatened Tehran with military strikes on the false pretext that Iran's nuclear program may have a covert military diversion.

Israeli President Shimon Peres claimed on November 6 that an attack against the Islamic Republic was getting "more and more likely,” a claimed fiercely rejected by many international observers and officials.

Tehran has categorically refuted rhetorical allegations by US-led Western powers, saying that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Iranian officials have vowed to deliver a crushing response to any military strike against the country, warning that any such measure could result in a war that would certainly reach far beyond the Middle East.

With over 50 types of state-of-the-art missiles at its disposal, Iran is readily capable of delivering a death blow to any aggressor who ventures to violate its soil. However, Iran has frequently said its military might poses no threat to other countries and that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.




*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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