Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Iran

Iran Nuclear Official Seeks Closer Ties With Russia

The Bushehr nuclear plant (file photo)

12 September 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The head of Iran's nuclear program told Russian officials today that the new Iranian government wants to step up cooperation with Russia.

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September 12, 2005

Gholamreza Aghazadeh said at the start of his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that relations with Russia are of "key importance" to Iran.

Russia objects to U.S. moves to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions over its controversial nuclear program.

Russia is building a nuclear reactor in Iran at Bushehr.

Russian and Iranian officials reaffirmed today that the plant would be launched by the end of 2006.

(AP/AFP)

For RFE/RL's complete coverage of the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program, see "Iran's Nuclear Program."

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

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

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