Monday, February 13, 2012

Iran

Iran's President Threatens To Block Nuclear Inspections

President Ahmadinejad (file photo) (epa)

17 December 2005 -- Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported today that President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has signed legislation that could restrict UN inspections of Iran's nuclear sites.

TEXT SIZE - +

December 17, 2005

The new law requires the government to stop all voluntary and non-legally binding measures if Iran is referred to the UN Security Council. Fars reported that Ahmadinejad signed the law on 13 December.

Earlier, leaders of the European Union's 25 member states said in a statement that time is running out for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis.

They also condemned as "wholly unacceptable" Ahmadninejad's call for the eradication of Israel and his denial of the World War II Holocaust of Jews.

Meanwhile, Russia's ambassador to Iran today called on Iran to act with full transparency on the nuclear issue to gain the trust of the world community.

Ambassador Aleksandr Sadovnikov's remarks were cited in the "Tehran Times."

(news agencies)

Iran's Nuclear Program

THE COMPLETE PICTURE: RFE/RL's complete coverage of controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

CHRONOLOGY

An annotated timeline of Iran's nuclear program.

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