AFP: Diplomats to the UN atomic watchdog are bracing for a new report this week providing fresh detail on Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons drive, amid growing speculation of an Israeli military strike.
Major UN Iran nuke report expected
Rice: Iran’s government has ‘no legitimacy left’
AP: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. should consider even tougher penalties against Iran’s government and “be doing everything we can to bring it down.”
Behind anti-Iran rhetoric, fears of nuclear gains
Washington Post: A new spike in anti-Iran rhetoric and military threats by Western powers is being fueled by fears that Iran is edging closer to the nuclear “breakout” point, when it acquires all the skills and parts needed to quickly build an atomic bomb if it chooses to, Western diplomats and nuclear experts said Friday.
IAEA to lend support to Iran nuclear allegations – sources
Reuters: A report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog next week will support allegations that Iran built a large steel container for carrying out tests with high explosives that could be used in nuclear weapons, sources briefed on the document said on Friday.
China urges Iran be flexible on nuclear programme
Reuters: China urged Iran on Friday to show flexibility over its controversial nuclear programme and warned that the use of force to resolve the issue was the last thing the Middle East needed at the moment.
APNewsBreak: UN has new Iranian nuke arms claims
AP: The U.N. atomic agency plans to reveal intelligence next week suggesting Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead and other previously undisclosed details on alleged secret work by Tehran on nuclear arms, diplomats told The Associated Press on Friday.
Sarkozy condemns Iran, says no preventive strikes
AP: French President Nicolas Sarkozy says that Iran’s “obsession” with acquiring nuclear material is against international rules.
NATO leader: No intention to intervene in Iran
AP: NATO has “no intention whatsoever” of intervening in Iran, the alliance’s top official said in response to reports that some governments may be planning a military strike against Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran is top threat to U.S., military official says
Reuters: Iran is the biggest threat to the United States and its allies in the Middle East, surpassing al Qaeda, which is down but not out, a senior U.S. military official said on Friday.
After U.S. departure, a bloodbath in Iraq?
Reuters: As the clock ticks towards the end of America’s military presence in Iraq, there are increasingly dire warnings of a humanitarian disaster unless steps are taken to protect more than 3,000 Iranian dissidents living in a camp in Iraq. How closely is Washington listening?
