Thursday, February 16, 2012

Iran

Yushchenko Confirms Missile Sales to Iran, China

President Yushchenko (file photo)

1 April 2005 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko says the country's former regime secretly and illegally sold nuclear-capable cruise missiles to Iran and China.

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April 01, 2005

In an interview with U.S. television late yesterday, Yushchenko confirmed Ukrainian officials' earlier reports of the sale. In his words, "I confirm this, though I do so with bitterness."

Yushchenko said the X-55 missiles were exported under a forged contract that had Russia as the country of destination. A copy of the contract obtained by the TV network NBC appears to bear clearance stamps for the export of 20 missiles to Russia.

Moscow officials deny any involvement. Yushchenko is due to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House on 4 April. He is to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress on 6 April.

(AFP/dpa)

India -- Investigators work at the site where a vehicle exploded near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, 13Feb2012

Alleged Attacks Tehran's Way Of Lashing Out?

(INTRO) Israel has blamed Iran for two bombings targeting its diplomats in India and Georgia this week, as well as for a botched bombing in Bangkok that Thai intelligence officials said were aimed at top Israeli diplomats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran's "terrorist activities" have been exposed, but Iran has denied any involvement. RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari spoke to Juan Zarate, senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and former Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism about the attacks and Iran's alleged role. More

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (center) looks on as scientists unveil a fuel rod at the Tehran Research Reactor.

Iranian Nuke Still One-To-Three Years Away, Says Expert

Iran on announced on February 15 that it has installed its first domestically produced nuclear fuel rods in a reactor in Tehran. Tehran also announced that it activated a new generation of centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear facility. RFE/RL spoke with nuclear physicist Frank Barnaby about what the advances reveal regarding Iran's uranium enrichment abilities, which Western countries allege are aimed at secretly building a nuclear weapon. More

Iran has stepped up its pressure on activists using the Internet

Iranian Activists, Journalists Receive Threatening E-mails

A number of Iranian activists and journalists based inside and outside the country have told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda they have been threatened in anonymous e-mails. More