An Iranian plan to irrigate its desert cities using water from the Caspian has provoked concern in Russia and has raised questions about Iranian compliance with the Caspian community's self-proclaimed emphasis on equitable usage. The $1.5 billion project was announced by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the northern city of Sari on 16 April. It would involve a desalination plant on the Caspian coast, from which the water would be pumped 140km south to the city of Semnan, which lies east of Tehran.

Around 200 million cubic metres of water would be transferred through the 500km pipeline each year under the first phase – subsequent phases will expand the volume of water supplied to inland cities to 500mcm. Officially, the other Caspian governments have yet to comment – all use desalination plants of their own, albeit on a smaller scale than Iran's new project. However, some Russian commentators drew parallels with the Aral Sea in Central Asia, where decades of Soviet over-irrigation led to an environmental catastrophe and a drastic shrinking of the size of the sea.

The Caspian's ecosystem is already widely recognised as being extremely fragile, and a decline in the water volume – made worse by declining inflows from the Volga river – could have serious effects across the Caspian. This is especially significant given Tehran's repeated insistence that any activity (ie, a Trans-Caspian Pipeline) that could damage the Caspian ecosystem must only be taken with the consent of all five littoral states. If a Caspian summit does get under way this year (see page 8), the other leaders may have some tough questions for Ahmadinejad.

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

For more news and expert analysis about the Caspian region, please see Caspian Focus.

© 2012 Menas Associates

UN says Iran's studying nuclear weapons

According to a report by UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Iran has carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device". The report also suggests that Iran has conducted research on computer models that could only be used to develop a nuclear bomb trigger. IAEA's latest report on Iran is thought to be its toughest yet.

The Islamic Republic has said the findings were politically motivated. Speaking about the issue, Iran's envoy to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh said: "This report is unbalanced, unprofessional and prepared with political motivation and under political pressure by mostly the United States.”

Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear programme is designed solely for the purpose of civilian power generation. The report, however, suggests that Iran has carried out activities "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device" but it does not specify whether or not Iran is building one.

The report comprises Iran's secret activities including conducting computer modelling, developing a detonator and testing high explosives. It suggest that some of its activities are only applicable to nuclear weapons research.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has continually dismissed the IAEA as a mouthpiece for the US, and his government was quick to condemn the report as baseless.

The report also states: "The information indicates that prior to the end of 2003 the above activities took place under a structured programme. There are also indications that some activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device continued after 2003, and that some may still be ongoing."

IAEA says the report is “credible” and the information is gathered from reliable sources. It also encourages Iran "to engage substantively with the agency without delay for the purpose of providing clarifications."

It is thought that Iran is at least one year away from being able to produce a nuclear bomb and if need be do so on short notice.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran disgruntled with Turkey over NATO deal

On Tuesday 4th October, Iran criticised Turkey for agreeing to allow NATO to station an early warning radar in the southeast of the country that will serve as part of the alliance's missile defence system. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the defence system was meant to protect Israel against Iranian missile attacks in the event of war.

Ahmadinejad said: "The missile defence shield is aimed at defending the Zionist regime. They don't want to let our missiles land in the occupied territories (Israel) if one day they take action against us. That's why they put it there."

In September, Turkey and NATO agreed that the former would host the radar as part of NATO's missile defence system aimed at deflecting attacks from Iran. In order to appease its neighbour Turkey said the shield does not target a specific country and added that it would block the deal if Iran was singled-out as a threat.

According to Turkish officials, a military installation in Kurecik in the Malatya province some 700km west of the Iranian border has been designated as the radar site. Ahmadinejad said that Iran has been in talks with the Turkish government and has made its position clear. He said: "We told our Turkish friends that it was not a correct job (decision) they did and that it's to their detriment…Such shields can't prevent the collapse of the Zionist regime."

The radar's positioning in Turkey indicates that its ties with the US are improving since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Turkey also works closely with the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and Libya, albeit it is not directly involved in warfare.

Although Turkey is on good terms with the US, it has in the past taken exception to Washington's stance on the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme, urging a diplomatic solution instead of sanctions.

Sources: Time, Press TV, WSJ, AP

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran criticises UK over riots

The UK has told Iran it would be glad to discuss its handling of the riots following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad comments about British police using "savage" aggression against demonstrators.

On Wednesday 10th August, Ahmadinejad made disparaging remarks about the riots in the UK, criticising British police's "crushing attack" on unarmed citizens.

In a letter to Iran's Foreign Ministry, British Charge d'Affaires in Tehran Jane Marriott said that hopefully this would open dialogue between the two countries and encourage Tehran to allow a UN-appointed investigator to look into alleged human rights violations.

Marriott said: "I would remind you that the UK has a standing invitation to all U.N. special rapporteurs and has facilitated the visits of a number of these rapporteurs to the UK in recent years…I urge the Iranian government to extend a similar courtesy to the dedicated UN special rapporteur for the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, to enable him to address the international community's grave concerns about on-going human rights violations within Iran.”

In March, the UN Human Rights Council nominated a special rapporteur for Iran to look into its crackdown on the opposition and frequent use of the death penalty. Iran is yet to allow the rapporteur into the country.

Eight people were killed in protests against Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election in 2009. Two people were shot dead in Tehran on February 14th this year during the first opposition demonstration for more than a year.

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, WSJ

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran: Abadan refinery hit by blast during Ahmadinejad visit

At least one person has been killed and 20 injured during an explosion which ripped through an oil refinery the southern Iranian port city of Abadan. The blast went-off on Tuesday 24th May, while Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was on site to inaugurate a new gasoline production unit.

According Fars news agency, the blast was caused by a technical problem. Firefighters were on site almost immediately to get the fire, which resulted from the explosion, under control. Another Iranian news agency, reported that the explosion was caused by a gas leakage in one of the refinery units, and added that a number of refinery employees suffered gas intoxication.

The development plan for the refinery stipulates that it will be producing premium 94 octane gasoline, with production reaching 72 million litres per day by 2012.

Last week, Ahmadinejad sacked three ministers as part of a bigger plan to merge several ministries. The country's Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi was one of the officials removed from office, his post momentarily taken over by the president. In a televised address, Ahmadinejad said: “The Iranian government and Parliament (Majlis) have consensus on the Oil Ministry merger…I am the caretaker for the Oil Ministry.”

Sources: BBC News, AFP, FT, Press TV

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran: Ahmadinejad sacks three ministers

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked three ministers as part of a bigger plan to merge several ministries. The country's Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi was one of the officials removed from office. In a televised address, Ahmadinejad said: “The Iranian government and Parliament (Majlis) have consensus on the Oil Ministry merger…I am the caretaker for the Oil Ministry.”

Iranian authorities have said that the decision to merge ministries was based on a “legal duty” and pointed out that the country's government is obligated to implement the law in view of “executive and scientific” obligations.

The three ministries to undergo mergers include: the ministry of Roads and Transportation to be merged with Housing and Urban Development; Energy with Oil; Industries and Mines with Commerce; and Welfare and Social Security with Labor and Social Affairs.

On Saturday 14th May, Ahmadinejad issued three decrees dismissing Welfare Minister Sadeq Mahsouli, Minister of Mines and Industries Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Mirkazemi in accordance to the 53rd article of the Iran's Five-Year Development Plan.

The plan stipulates that Iranian government is expected to downsize its ministries form 21 to 17 if it's to improve the efficiency of state administration.

Sources: Press TV, Business Week, Bloomberg, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi arrested ahead of rally

Iranian security forces have placed opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi under house arrest, in a bid to prevent him attending a rally in support of Egypt's revolt. Mousavi is one of several opposition figures to have been recently censored; another one, also under house arrest, is Mehdi Karroubi.

A number of opposition factions pledged to take part in the rally, which has been banned by the authorities. Iran's government, however, has been officially supporting Egypt's protests but says the rally is a "political move" by the two opposition leaders.

The country's police blocked the lane leading to Mousavi's house and disconnected his mobile phone and land lines. Last week, the authorities also detained a dozen people close to the opposition leader.

Iran has increased security in Tehran, blocked access to certain internet domains, and has clamped down on several satellite news channels. The government is acting in a bid to suppress any fledgling anti-government movements, last seen in 2009, against the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Opposition supporters, however, revived a tactic from the unrest, shouting "Allahu Akbar," [God is Great], in a sign of defiance toward Iran's leadership.

Sources: BBC News, AP, RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, Trend News Agency

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran hangs two opposition activists

The Iranian authorities have hanged two men convicted of participating in protests against the result of the 2009 presidential poll. Tehran prosecutors have said that Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Hajaghaei had disseminated photographs and video footage of the protests, pertaining to the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on the internet.

The two men were also found guilty of chanting slogans promoting the exiled People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI). The leader of the exiled opposition group, Maryam Rajavi, said the executions were inhumane and barbaric.

On August 10th 2010, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Iran to release the two men, despite the PMOI being on Washington's list of foreign terrorist organisations.

"We are also concerned about the fate of Iranians who are in danger of imminent execution for exercising their right to free expression after the June 2009 elections," said Clinton in a statement, naming Kazemi and Hajaghaei.

Of those arrested after the protests most have been rleased, but more than 80 people have been jailed for up to 15 years, and at least four other people convicted of involvement in the demonstrations are reported to be on death row.

Sources: BBC News, AFP, RTT News, EuroNews

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran says the sacking of Mottaki will not impact foreign policy

Iran says its foreign policy will not be affected by the recent sacking of the country's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fired Mottaki on Monday 13th December for reasons which have not been disclosed.

The presidential directive to Mottaki's interim replacement, Iran's nuclear energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi read “Considering your commitment, knowledge, and valued expertise, and in accordance with Article 135 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and based on this decree you are appointed as acting foreign minister.”

Speaking to the press on Tuesday 14th December, Iran's Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that Mottaki's removal from office “will not see any alteration of Iran's basic policies” as they are "decided at higher levels".

Mehmanparast also added that the sacking will not affect the country's stance on its nuclear programme and that the decision to fire Mottaki was due to practical reasons, but declined to elaborate. He went on to commend Mottaki and laud his successor Salehi.

Some members of the parliament have criticized Ahmadinejad's impromptu decision, which may have been a result of a power struggled between Iran's ruling conservatives and Ahmadinejad's opponents with whom Mottaki was allied.

Iranian media has expressed shock about the sudden dismissal of the foreign minister, questioning why it took place while Mottaki was on a stake visit to Senegal. Mehmanparast declined to comment about the timing.

Kayhan daily described the sacking as a “clear insult” to Mottaki who had been the country's Foreign Minister since 2005. The newspaper implied that the sacking was a result of a disagreement between Ahmadinejad and Mottaki over “parallel diplomacy” which transpired in summer following Ahmadinejad's attempts to appoint his aides as envoys to work alongside the foreign office. It is believe that, Ahmadinejad's decision to back down was heavily influenced by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Former Iranian president Abolhassan Bani Sadr called the firing "scandalous," and noted that Ahmadinejad is trying to convince the world that he and Supreme Leader Khamenei are "in charge" of Iran's foreign policy.

Sadr also stressed that Khamenei would have no doubt seconded Ahmadinejad's decision. He also said that the choice of Salehi as the replacement could be a signal to the West that he and Khamenei will be the ultimate arbiteurs during nuclear negotiations in January.

Iranian lawmakers, who will have to approve the new appointee, have also voiced concern over Mottaki's sacking and the way it transpired. A senior member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Esmail Kowsari said," I do not approve of the manner Mr Mottaki was dismissed, because he was on duty in Senegal when his dismissal order was issued."

Kowsari added that a commission would have to review and approve the appointment of Salehi as an interim foreign minister. Salehi, who was appointed as Iran's atomic energy chief in 2009, has been a driving force behind the country's nuclear programme.

Sources: Voice of America, BBC News, PressTV

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran: Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki sacked

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has fired foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki, for undisclosed reasons. Mottaki, currently on an official visit to Senegal, was appointed as the country's foreign minister in 2005.

It has been said that there has not been any sign of discord between Ahmadinejad and Mottaki to indicate that the foreign minister might loose his job. Mottaki was the key negotiator in Iran's nuclear dealings with the West. Ahmadinejad has appointed Iran's top nuclear official Ali Akbar Salehi as an interim replacement for Mottaki.

There has been speculation that Mottaki's dismissal may be a strategic move among the ruling conservatives in Iran. It has also been said that Ahmadinejad did not entirely trust Mottaki who was the campaign manager for one of Ahmadinejad's election rivals, Ali Larijani.

Mattaki's firing may anger Ahmadinejad's conservative opponents in parliament, but the sacking is highly likely to have been supported by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. It may also be another indication that the supreme leader continues to back Ahmadinejad.

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Ahmadinejad says Iran will not discuss its nuclear programme

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that Iran will not participate in international discussions about its nuclear activities, expected to take place later in November. Last month, Iranian officials had agreed to take part in talks with six world powers at the invitation of EU foreign affairs Chief Baroness Ashton.

Speaking about the forthcoming meeting, Ahmadinejad said Iran was prepared to discuss regional security issues, but not its "basic right" to nuclear power. The talks have already been stalled for over a year, the six countries involved in the talks are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France – and with Germany.

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is legitimate and will be utilised for peaceful purposes only, but the international community fears that it might be aimed at developing weapons.

The talks were expected to take place in November in Vienna, but Iran said it was would participate in talk if they were to take place between 23rd November or 5th December in Istanbul, Turkey, before Ahmadinejad's statement issues on Iranian television ruling-out any discussion of the nuclear issue.

"We have said that the talks be based on justice and respect. That means you [the West] have to climb down from your ivory towers and put aside your arrogance," said Ahmadinejad.

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says most people believe the US responsible for 9/11 attacks

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said most people believe the US government to be responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York Ahmadinejad claimed that the US government had orchestrated the 9/11 attacks to tighten its loosening grip on the Middle East.

The US and other Western delegations walked out in protest during the speech. However, that did not deter the Iranian leader as he moved on to say that the sanctions against Iran were unjust and ineffective, and added he was ready for the annual public dialogue with the US president.

Reiterating Iran's denial of its nuclear programme Ahmadinejad said some members of the UN Security Council had, "equated nuclear energy with nuclear bombs,” and added that 2011 should be the year of nuclear disarmament.

Addressing the General Assembly, Ahmadinejad said it was mostly US government officials and statesmen who believed that Al-Qa'ida militants carried out the 2001 attacks on the US. He said it was universally believed, "that some segments within the US government orchestrated the attack to reverse the declining American economy, and its grips on the Middle East, in order to save the Zionist regime” and that the “majority of the American people as well as most nations and politicians around the world agree with this view".

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Five killed at Pardis Petrochemical Company, Iran

Five people have died on Wednesday (4th August) in an explosion at the Pardis Petrochemical Company, in the southern port city of Assalouyeh. The incident occurred when a ruptured gas pipe was being welded, the sparks ignited the leaking gas and caused the explosion.

"Due to the explosion at the Pardis petrochemical plant some five people died and two others were injured," said Iranian state television's website.

According to a senior manager of the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone the incident occurred at about 2 pm local time, and was quickly extinguished by fire-fighters. The explosion and ensuing fire caused some damage to the petrochemical plant.

Iranian news agency, Mehr, reported that the second phase of the Pardis petrochemical complex, which produces urea and ammonia, was inaugurated last week in the presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Source: Reuters

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.