Topic: Institute for Science and International Security

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Iran nuclear program: 5 key sites

Iran’s nuclear program is the subject of constant scrutiny by the international community. Here are five of Iran's most important nuclear sites.
In Pictures: Iran's military might

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Satellite images suggest Iran cleaning up past nuclear weapons-related work

A report by the Institute for Science and International Security says a new image of Iran's Parchin military complex 'raises concerns that Iran is attempting to raze the site prior to allowing an IAEA visit.'
Iran enriching uranium to higher levels than reported, says UN

The IAEA has found uranium enriched up to 27 percent in an underground bunker in central Iran, several diplomats told The Associated Press. Until now, Iran had only reported enriched uranium to 20 percent. Highly enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons.
Iran nuclear talks: Are sanctions on the table?

A senior Iranian figure stated that Iran's 'minimum expectation' for the upcoming negotiations was a lifting of some sanctions, but sanctions are notoriously hard to remove.
Why Iranian engineers attended North Korea's failed rocket launch

Iranian rocket specialists were at the launch of North Korea's failed rocket test last week, according to South Korean reports. North Korea and Iran have long cooperated on long-range missiles.
Is Iran trying to develop a missile that could reach America?

An Iranian missile under construction, caught up in a mysterious blast in November, had a range of 6,000 miles, a senior Israeli official said Thursday in a speech outside Tel Aviv.
Iran working on missile that could reach the US, warns Israel

Iran is working on a missile that could travel 6,000 miles, and reach the US, says Israel's vice prime minister. A mysterious explosion killed 17 on Nov. 12 at the military base in Iran where Israel says the missile is being developed.
Obama's Iran policy shifted from outreach to pressure and sanctions

Obama intended to go the extra mile on engagement, his aides said, so if the gambit failed, allies and adversaries alike could not point the finger at the United States as the 'bad guy.' Instead, they would rally behind the effort to pressure Iran.
Iran nuclear program: 5 key sites

Iran’s nuclear program is the subject of constant scrutiny by the international community. Here are five of Iran's most important nuclear sites.
Why does Pakistan have world's fastest-growing nuclear program?

Pakistan is stockpiling weapons-grade nuclear material, and accelerating construction of a nuclear plant that can produce plutonium. What's behind the nuclear surge?
Terrorism & Security
Israel tested Stuxnet worm in joint effort with US to thwart Iran, says report

A Stuxnet cyber worm tested at a secret facility in Israel’s Negev desert wiped out about a fifth of Iran’s nuclear centrifuges, The New York Times reported yesterday.
Stuxnet attack on Iran nuclear program came about a year ago, report says

The Stuxnet cyberweapon damaged about one-tenth of the centrifuges at the Iran nuclear facility near Natanz, says a report by a watchdog group. Problems arose in late 2009 or early 2010, it notes.
In Pictures: Iran's military might
Shahram Amiri: Iranian nuclear scientist's case shrouded in mystery

Iranian nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri is holed up in the Pakistani embassy awaiting a return trip home. Here are three possible explanations to his mysterious case.
New Iran sanctions more likely, or less, after nuclear bomb report?

New report that Iran is amassing more low-enriched uranium – and has enough to make two nuclear bombs – is likely to spur the move toward tougher sanctions. But Israel's raid on Gaza aid flotilla may stall any international action on Iran.
Clutching flowers, American mothers visit detained US hikers in Iran

Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal were briefly let out of Evin prison to visit their mothers in a Tehran hotel. The mothers want to bring their children home, but Iran may be waiting for a prisoner swap with the US.
NPT 101: What does it take for a country to give up its nuclear weapons?

South Africa dismantled its nuclear weapons after resisting fierce international sanctions for years. David Albright, who wrote extensively about that transition, says it may hold lessons – of patience and pressure – for dealing with Iran.
NPT 101: Will the US accept a nuclear-capable Iran?

Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad restated his opposition to nuclear weapons at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference this week. But analysts say that an Iran capable of building a nuclear bomb is something that the US may have to get used to.
Loophole in nuclear summit: spread of nuclear power?

President Obama's nuclear summit aims to keep terrorists from procuring nuclear weapons. But the US is encouraging countries to develop civilian nuclear power. But what are the proliferation risks?
Nuclear summit: How much 'loose nukes' material is out there?

The Obama nuclear summit is focusing less on nuclear weapons and more on more poorly guarded nuclear materials that could be used to build nukes.
Nuclear weapons: Is full disarmament possible?

As world leaders convene in Washington for a summit on halting the spread of nuclear weapons, a global debate is rising on the merits – and feasibility – of total nuclear disarmament.
UN inspectors say Iran could be working on a nuclear warhead.

It's the first time the International Atomic Energy Agency has said that Iran may be working on a nuclear warhead. What's their evidence?
Ahmadinejad adds fuel to Israel debate over Iran nuclear ambitions

Ahmadinejad last night rejected as US forgeries documents reported to detail Iran nuclear plans. Observers say the leak was intended to put pressure on Iran ahead of Obama’s end-of-year deadline for a negotiated solution.
ElBaradei leaves nuclear watchdog with legacy of honesty, Iran leniency

Mohamed ElBaradei stepped down from his post at the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA at the end of November. He's been seen both as an honest broker and as being too soft on Iran.
The roots of Iran's nuclear program

It's quest to develop a nuclear program has taken a circuitous path through history – and includes early cooperation with the US.
UN nuclear watchdog: Can’t rule out other Iran enrichment sites

An inspection of a second enrichment facility in Iran revealed no centrifuges, a new IAEA report said Monday. But the UN nuclear watchdog is concerned there may be other undeclared sites.