Current Events
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See more recent articles: After December 31, 2013
Iran develops new generation of uranium centrifuges
Dec. 27, 2013 - Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, announced a new generation of improved uranium
centrifuges. They already have 19,000 centrifuges. He said that Iran is proud to be one of the few countries that can produce nuclear fuel from
start(discovery and mining) to finish (enrichment).
Thursday’s announcement came following a push by a significant number of Iranian lawmakers to legislate the enrichment of uranium to 60 percent
purity — 12 times the cap Iran agreed ... in November.
- Source: Times of Israel
Experts Thrash Out Workings of Iran Nuclear Deal
Dec. 10, 2013 - Iran is meeting with representatives from Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States, and Germany — the P5+1 — to determine
how and when the agreements reached in November will be implemented.
In particular the two-day Vienna meeting aimed to nail down the start date of Iran's promised six-month nuclear freeze, how this will be monitored and when
sanctions will be eased.
On Wednesday Iran will have a separate meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency to address additional concerns about their nuclear program.
- Source: NewsMax
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Iran, six powers meet on steps to carry out nuclear deal - REuters
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Poll: Americans Disapprove of Iran Nuclear Deal - NewsMax
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Iran's charm offensive belies mounting body count from executions at home - Fox
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US lawmakers to introduce bill on new Iran sanctions soon - Jerusalem Post
Netanyahu says nuke negotiators must demand Iran change 'genocidal policy'
Dec. 9, 2013 - At a forum on U.S.-Israel relations hosted by the Brookings Institution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reminded
attendees that Iran is committed to Israel's destruction. Therefore negotiators in the next round of talks with Iran must demand that Iran "change
its genocidal policy" toward the Jewish state.
At the same forum a day earlier President Obama also expressed skepticism about the talks.
"If you ask me what is the likelihood that we're able to arrive at the end state ... I wouldn't say that it's more than 50-50," Obama said. "But we have to try."
- Source: Fox
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Iran Announces Refusal to Recognize Israel at United Nations Session - The Algemeiner
- Israel’s fateful decision
- A cost-benefit analysis points to an attack on Iran’s plutonium reactor - S. Fred Singer - Washington Times
Israel's new focus on the Iran nuclear deal
Dec. 2, 2013 - What will Israel do now that Iran has a temporary arrangement that stops it short of developing a nuclear weapon but leaves
its capability to do so intact? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will apparently now wage a diplomatic campaign
to influence the eventual outcome. Meanwhile he will maintain Israel's ability to deal with this most serious threat to their national security.
- Source: The Guardian
- Netanyahu: I will not 'shut up' when Israel's interests are at stake - Jerusalem Post
- Israel's Netanyahu Meets With Pope; Talks Tough on Iran - NewsMax
- Rohani: Iran will not dismantle nuclear sites - YNetNews
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Fmr. senior Israeli official writes oped for New York Times: “A Most Dangerous Deal: The Iran Agreement Does Not Address the Nuclear Threat.” - Joel Rosenberg
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Kerry: Israel's security at the top of US agenda in Iran nuclear talks - Jerusalem Post
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P5+1 talks on Iran’s nukes to resume on Monday - New negotiations, to be held this time in Vienna, still won’t finalize arrangements for implementing last month’s interim deal - Times of Israel
Netanyahu Vows to Cast Out 'Darkness' of Iran Nuke Program
Nov. 29, 2013 - Unhappy with the outcome of talks between Iran and six leading nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that,
"The largest darkness that threatens the world today is a nuclear Iran.”
“We are bound to do all we can to prevent this darkness. If possible we will do this diplomatically, if not we will act as a light unto the nations.”
- Source: NewsMax
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'Washington Post': White House omitting facts about Iran nuclear deal - Jerusalem Post
- Netanyahu orders Mossad to expose Iranian breaches of interim deal
- Prophecy Central's Iran Section
Trust Iran? What are we – stupid?
Nov. 26, 2013 - Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI),
said that the West wasted a golden opportunity to demand major Iranian concessions.
“This is something that should have been exploited. If the international community, and particularly the United
States, were decisive enough, this was a regime that you could have actually forced ...to abandon their entire program.”
Since Iran has repeatedly ignored United Nations Security Council sanctions, groups like the NCRI feel that Iran simply cannot be
trusted to honor any agreement.
- Source: WND
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Bachmann uncorks on Obama, Armageddon - WND
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Obama defends Iran nuclear deal from chorus of critics - Fox
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Israel sends team to US for Iran talks - Telegraph
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Lindsey Graham: Nuke Deal Leaves Iran 'On the Verge' of Making Weapons - NewsMax
- Ex-U.N. inspector: Deal leaves Iran 2 months from bomb - WND
Israel Renews Warnings of Military Action After Iran Nuclear Deal
Nov. 24, 2013 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that the Geneva nuclear deal with Iran was a big mistake and
Israel will not be bound by it. He said,
“Israel has the right to protect itself in the face of any threat. I wish to reiterate that as the Prime Minister of Israel — Israel will not allow Iran to
develop nuclear military capabilities.”
- Source: TIME
Obama hails Iran nuclear deal as
Netanyahu slams 'historic mistake'
Nov. 24, 2013 - The Geneva meeting of six world powers about Iran's nuclear program extended the time allotted for talks and finally produced
a compromise agreement that President Obama called “first step toward a comprehensive solution." Iran will be able to keep its centrifuges and
other physical aspects of its program, but will have to limit its uranium production to 5 percent enrichment and neutralize its stockpile of near 20 percent
enriched uranium. In exchange, sanctions will be eased on Iran's exports, allowing them to sell some $4.2 billion of oil. The deal is only good for six months.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that the agreement "makes a nuclear Iran more, not less, likely," and called the deal "a blow to our allies in the region."
Iran is pleased with the deal. Conservative U.S. lawmakers say it is "too little, too late." Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a historic mistake.
He told his Cabinet that the world had become a "more dangerous place" as a result of the deal, and once again he warned that Israel "has the right and the duty
to defend itself by itself."
- Source: Fox
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Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton: 'Abject Surrender by US' - American Thinker
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US, Iran nuclear deal spurs bipartisan concern in Congress - Fox
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Iran's President Rouhani says nuclear deal with West allows Iran to enrich uranium - Jerusalem Post
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Obama to call Netanyahu to 'assuage Israeli concerns' regarding Iran deal - Jerusalem Post
Kerry, Western FMs arrive in Geneva to push for Iran nuclear deal
Nov. 23, 2013 - As talks in Geneva about Iran's nuclear program appear to be reaching some agreement, Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign
ministers of five other world powers have joined the discussion.
The Chinese, Russian, French, British and German foreign ministers - Wang Yi, Sergei Lavrov, Laurent Fabius, William Hague and Guido Westerwelle -
all pulled up their sleeves to try to seal an interim deal under which Iran would cap its nuclear activity.
Iran expects to gain limited relief from sanctions.
Statements from the French and British foreign ministers indicate that there are still serious gaps in their agreement that will need to be worked out.
- Source: Jerusalem Post
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US senators threaten Iran nuclear talks with call for new sanctions at ‘crucial’ stage - Russian Times
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Haaretz: Netanyahu forced to accept interim deal with Iran - CSM
Nuclear talks hit standstill as Iran demands right to enrich uranium, sanctions relief
Nov. 22, 1013 - No reportable progress was made during the second day of talks in Geneva about Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The Iranian diplomats kept up an incessant stream of quotes throughout the day in which they insisted that the interim agreement due to be signed in
Geneva must include a written recognition of their right to enrich uranium.
The Iranians are also asking for easing of sanctions on their oil trade and banking
- Source: Haaretz
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“We are not bluffing.” Israel ready to strike Iran alone, says Netanyahu’s outgoing national security advisor. - Joel Rosenberg
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Uncertainty in Geneva on Iran leads to tough talk in Washington - Jerusalem Post
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Israel Fails to Move Russia on Iran Nuclear Talks - Voice of America
- US issues belated condemnation of Khamenei after Israeli protest
- [Iran] spitting in the face of the enlightened world, not just Israel, but the world remains silent, thinking it is rain. - Jerusalem Post
- Iran Launches ‘Massive’ War Drills - codenamed “Towards Jerusalem,” - Washington Free Beacon
- U.S. officials condemn Khamenei's 'abhorrent' remarks on Israel - Haaretz
Iran says enrichment 'not negotiable' as Geneva nuclear talks begin
Nov. 21, 2013 - As six world powers - the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany - begin another round of talks with Iran about its
nuclear program, Iran says it will only reach an agreement that allows it to continue enriching uranium "from start to finish." Iran's chief negotiator,
Abbas Araguchi, said that Iran could discuss volumes, levels and locations but "the principle of enrichment is not negotiable."
Mr. Araghchi told state television that the main obstacle to agreement was a "lack of trust because of what happened at the last round" - referring to November
talks when world powers toughened up the terms of a draft deal.
- Source: Telegraph - UK
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Netanyahu 'promises' Iran will not get nuclear weapons - Jerusalem Post
Iranian Supreme Leader: Israel 'Doomed to Collapse'
Nov. 20, 2013 - In the past Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called Israel an "illegitimate and bastard regime." Now, on
the eve of renewed negotiations with Iran about their nuclear program, he declared that Israel is a "regime doomed to collapse."
Khamenei called Israel "the rabid dog of the region" and claimed Israel poses a threat to the world, not Iran.
- Source: Israel National News
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Iran nuclear talks: Tehran 'will not step back one iota' - BBC
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France says Iran comments on Israel complicate nuke talks - Times of Israel
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US Jewish leaders feel misled by White House over Iran deal - Times of Israel
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Minister Bennett: Now is Most Fateful Time for Israel Since Yom Kippur War - The Algemeiner
Former Security Chief: Israel Can Hit Iran Nuke Facilities at Will
Nov. 19, 2013 - Former Israeli National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror told the Financial Times that Israel is able to set back Iran’s nuclear
program “for a very long time.”
Israeli pilots have spent years practicing long-range flights to prepare for the possibility of an military operation against Iran, he said. Asked whether
Israel military capabilities included strikes against underground sites, Amridror replied “including everything."
He said that Israel is a sovereign nation that does not need anyone's permission to defend itself. Israel is not bluffing. It knows that it "might have to
defend itself by itself.”
- Source: NeswMax
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Amid rising tensions, Kerry postpones visit to Israel - Times of Israel
In Israel, Hollande says France won’t waver on Iran
Nov. 18, 2013 - French President Francois Hollande was given a hero's welcome in Israel when he arrived yesterday to meet with Israeli Prime Minister
Netanyahu.
“France will not make concessions on nuclear proliferation,” Hollande pledged during a ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport, upon his arrival.
“France will maintain all its measures and sanctions until we are certain that Iran has renounced nuclear weapons.”
Netanyahu praised Hollande for his dedication to the Jewish state and said that if Iran does obtain nuclear arms it will not only endanger Israel, but also
"France, Europe and the entire world."
- Source: Times of Israel
- Obama on Defensive as Israel, Democrats Line Up Against Iran Deal
- NewsMax
Report: Mossad working with Saudis on contingency plans for potential attack on Iran
Nov. 17, 2013 - According to the Sunday Times Israel's Mossad and Saudi officials are collaborating on plans for a potential attack against Iran if this
week's negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers fail to curb Iran's nuclear development program.
“Once the Geneva agreement is signed, the military option will be back on the table. The Saudis are furious and are willing to give Israel all the help it needs,”
the Times quoted the source as saying.
The Saudis are said to have already given its consent for Israel to use their airspace for an attack on Iran, and to cooperate on the use of
drones, rescue helicopters and tanker planes.
In an interview with the French daily Le Figaro yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the world should take note of this rare “meeting of the
minds” between Israel and the “leading states in the Arab world” on the Iran issue. He said this may be the first case of such agreement in modern times.
- Source: Jerusalem Post
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Netanyahu hosts Kerry, French President as Iran Talks Resume - Prophecy Central's Israel Section
World powers, Iran may reach nuclear deal next week, says top U.S. official
Nov. 16, 2013 - Iran has apparently slowed down its production of uranium, but it is not known if this is a sign of cooperation or a maintenance
issue. Talks are set to resume next week between world powers (Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States) and Iran.
Nevertheless, the world powers have asked Congress to refrain from imposing new sanctions on Iran while the negotiations are in progress, the official said.
The U.S. administration believes that new sanctions would spur Iran's nuclear development.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended France's President Francois Hollande for blocking an unsatisfactory agreement on the issue last week.
- Source: Haaretz
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Netanyahu tweet urges West to avoid 'bad deal' over Iran nuclear program - Fox
New Iran sanctions could push U.S. toward war, White House warns
Nov. 14, 2013 - Discussions between international leaders (U.S., France, China, Russia, Germany and Britain) and Iran failed to produce an agreement
about stopping Iran's probable development of nuclear weapons. Another round of talks is scheduled for Nov. 20, but with lower-level officials. Israel and other Middle
East nations are calling for even greater sanctions against Iran to force it to cooperate. Congressional leaders are considering the imposition of such additional sanctions.
The White House warned Congress on Tuesday that slapping new sanctions on Iran could sink international negotiations to curb Tehran’s nuclear program and
send America on a “march to war.”
- Source: LA Times
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Iran’s top ally warns war could be coming. White House and Netanyahu issue ominously similar warnings. - Joel Rosenberg
Sunni-Shia tensions 'biggest threat to world security': Iran foreign minister Mohammad Zarif
Nov. 11, 2013 - The Syrian civil war has further divided regional powers. Shi'ite Iran is backing President Bashar al-Assad and Sunni Gulf Arab states and
Turkey is assisting the rebels. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters that this sectarian tension is "the most serious security threat not
only to the region but to the world at large."
Mr Zarif, a US-educated former Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, called for regional powers to come together to try to solve the conflict in Syria.
- Source: Telegraph - UK
Crisis Brewing in Israeli-US Relations
Nov. 10, 2013 - In spite of the good will created by President Obama's visit to Israel earlier this year, two vital issues threaten to
generate what diplomatic correspondent Chemi Shalev called a 'superstorm' of U.S.-Israeli relations." The U.S. is promoting a compromise deal with Iran that
would supposedly halt it's nuclear production but not dismantle its facilities.
Israeli news reports describe Netanyahu as being in "shock" over the possible Iranian compromise. Netanyahu, who sees Iran as an arch-enemy, has vowed to do
anything, including a military strike, to prevent Iran from reaching weapons capability.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also inflamed passions in Israel when he made a statement on Israeli and Palestinian TV questioning Israel's seriousness about
peace with the Palestinians. This caused Netanyahu to publicly vow not to cave into concessions to the Palestinians.
- Source: NewsMax
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'US capitulated' on Iran deal, Jerusalem says - Israel National Hayom
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Iranians angry and bewildered after French torpedo Geneva nuclear entente - The Guardian
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France scuttles disastrous U.S. nuclear deal with Iran at last minute. -
American delegation en route to Israel for high-level talks as crisis erupts in U.S.-Israel relations.- Joel Rosenberg
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Khamenei slams French 'imprudent, inept move' to delay Iran nuclear deal - Jerusalem Post
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Inaction On Iran Launches Mideast Nuclear Arms Race - Investors.com
- Don't Say It Can't Be Done - There is only one way to avoid a nuclear Iran:
to attack it • Any deal, bad or somewhat bad, won't change that • The IDF has already proved it can do the impossible; it can also do the unthinkable •
Ultimately, we cannot trust anyone but ourselves. - Israel Hayom
US: John Kerry will head to Geneva to push Iran deal in unexpected visit
Nov. 8, 2013 - In a push to reach agreement between six world powers and Iran over their nuclear programs, U.S. Secretary of
State John Kerry will change his own plans in order to join the discussions. President Obama has signaled a compromise with Iran by telling NBC News,
"There is the possibility of a phased agreement in which the first phase would be us, you know, halting any advances on their nuclear program ...
and putting in place a way where we can provide them some very modest relief..."
- Source: Jerusalem Post
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Netanyahu says nuclear deal with Iran would be a 'mistake of historic proportions' - Jerusalem Post
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Iranian TV airs animated strike on Tel Aviv - WND
Bolton: Israel must make 'fateful decision' on Iran strike
Nov. 4, 2013 - Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton told WABC Radio’s Aaron Klein that Israel must make “fateful decision” very soon
about whether or not to strike Iran’s nuclear sites.
“I don’t think Israel has much time,” Bolton continued. “Frankly, they should have done this years ago because we all know intelligence is
imperfect and Iran may have a more developed capacity than we know about, perhaps in cooperation with North Korea.”
Israel has destroyed the nuclear facilities of two hostile neighbors in the past.
Bolton also commented on a statement by former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, that the U.S. has put great pressure on Iran and "may need to use
military force to back up our policy.” Bolton's response was that military action against Iran simply, "Isn’t going to happen under the Obama
administration."
- Source: WND
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Obama paying ‘lip service’ on Iran strike option, says top MK - Times of Israel
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Rouhani is not 'optimistic' about Iran's nuclear talks with West - Jerusalem Post
‘Compromise will likely lead to nuclear Iran,’ says expert - Prof. Uzi Rabi says window for effective military action against Tehran's nuclear
facilities has closed. - Jerusalem Post
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