Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Iran

Iran Vows Nuclear Program Will Go Ahead

21 September 2004 -- Iranian President Hojatoleslam Mohammad Khatami said today Iran will continue with its controversial nuclear-weapons program even if it means halting supervision by the UN atomic watchdog.

TEXT SIZE - +

September 21, 2004

Khatami said the international community has to acknowledge what he called Iran's "natural and legal right" to continue its nuclear program.

He was speaking at a parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the war with Iraq in 1980.

On 18 September, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution calling on Iran to halt all its nuclear enrichment activities, part of the nuclear fuel cycle which can be directed to both energy and weapons production.

Iran denies U.S.-led claims it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons.

President Khatami today said that regardless of whether it is under UN supervision or not, Iran will "in no way" try to acquire nuclear weapons.

(AFP/AP)

Many Iranians have been claiming that their access to social networks and Internet-based e-mail sites has been blocked in recent days.

Iran Tightens Internet Control

Iranians are reporting that their access to Facebook and Internet-based e-mail sites like Gmail has been blocked, without any explanation from the government. Not even the strongest antifiltering programs have penetrated the firewall, they say. Some speculate the move is related to Iran's plan to launch a national internet, which might sever Iranians' ability to access the World Wide Web. More

Web-savvy Iranian oppositionists are renowned for their ability to use proxies and other means to circumvent Tehran

Explainer: Iran's National Internet

Reports that Iran has stepped up its Internet censorship in recent days -- as evidenced by a general slowdown of the web, Internet blackouts, and the blocking of sites such as Google -- has raised speculation that the country might be testing its controversial "national Internet." More

A cardboard Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini arrives in Tehran to mark the 33rd anniversary of his triumphant return to Iran following the Islamic Revolution.

Iran's 'Cardboard Khomeini' Faces Criticism, Condemnation

Iran's "Cardboard Khomeini" is fueling a firestorm of criticism in the Middle Eastern country after cutouts of the Islamic republic's founder appeared at a number of events, and photos mocking the mock-up went viral. More