AP: Defying a key demand set by 35 nations, Iran announced Tuesday that it has started converting raw uranium into the gas needed for enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons.
“Tests are going on successfully” to make uranium hexafluoride gas, the feed stock for enrichment …
Iran Defies Demand of Nuke Watchdog Agency
Security fears spark Linux drive in Iran
AFP: Iran has become the latest country to edge towards ditching Windows in favour of Linux, even if its refusal to abide by copyright laws means that the country does not pay a penny to Bill Gates.
According to Mohammad Sephery-Rad, the man in charge of the government’s computer systems, long-term political and security considerations have sparked a major initiative to make the switch.
Iran to launch test satellite with missile
Reuters: Iran will use a modified version of its Shahab-3 missile, which defence experts say can reach Israel or U.S. bases in the Gulf, to launch a test satellite before March 2005,
a defence industry source says.
Bush Aides Divided on Confronting Iran Over A-Bomb
New York Times: At a time when the violent insurgency in Iraq is vexing the Bush administration and stirring worries among Americans, events may be propelling the United States into yet another confrontation, this time with Iran. The issues have an almost eerie familiarity, evoking the warnings and threats that led to the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein, and stirring an equally passionate debate.
Bush Aides Divided on Confronting Iran Over A-Bomb
New York Times: At a time when the violent insurgency in Iraq is vexing the Bush administration and stirring worries among Americans, events may be propelling the United States into yet another confrontation, this time with Iran. The issues have an almost eerie familiarity, evoking the warnings and threats that led to the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein, and stirring an equally passionate debate.
Clerical body calls for ‘Islamic’ Iraq
Washington Times: Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the body of powerful Muslim clerics that chooses the country’s supreme leader, opened its 12th session Sunday calling for an Islamic republic in Iraq.
In his opening speech, the assembly’s speaker, Ayatollah Ali Meshkini, urged Iraqi leaders to unite to expel foreign troops in Iraq and establish a government based on the principles of Islam similar to the one in Iran …
Khatami: Iran Will Pursue Nuclear Program
AP: President Mohammad Khatami said Tuesday Iran will continue its nuclear program even if that means ending inspections by the U.N. nuclear monitoring agency.
“We’ve made our choice: yes to peaceful nuclear technology,
no to atomic weapons,” Khatami told a military parade in Tehran.
Libya tells Iran: Be like us and comply with IAEA
Reuters: Libya, which last year renounced its nuclear weapons programme, on Monday urged Iran to follow suit and comply with the demands of the U.N. nuclear watchdog to stop enriching uranium which can be used to make atomic bombs.
Khatami defends Iran nuclear right
United Press International: Iranian President Mohammed Khatami Monday insisted his country has a right to possess nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
The official Iranian News Agency, IRNA, quoted him as asking, “Why would the Iranian people be deprived of the right to be capable and strong?”
U.N. Nuclear Chief Repeats Call For Iran To Suspend Uranium Enrichment
AFP: UN atomic agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei opened a general conference of his agency by reiterating its call on Iran to fully suspend uranium enrichment, despite Tehran’s apparent defiance.
His comments came the day after Iran rejected the International Atomic Energy Agency’s resolution calling for a halt to sensitive nuclear work.
