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Barack Obama defended a framework nuclear agreement with Iran

U.S. President Barack Obama defended a framework nuclear agreement with Iran as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to prevent a bomb and bring longer-term stability to the Middle East. He insisted the U.S. would stand by Israel if it were to come under attack, but acknowledged that his pursuit of diplomacy with Tehran has caused strain with the close ally.

“It’s been a hard period,” Mr. Obama said in an interview with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. He added that it is “personally difficult” for him to hear his administration accused of not looking out for Israel’s interests.

“We are powerful enough to be able to test these propositions without putting ourselves at risk,” he said, citing his overtures to Cuba and Myanmar as other examples of his approach.

Mr. Obama argued that successful negotiations presented the most effective way to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but insisted he would keep all options on the table if Tehran were to violate the terms.

“I’ve been very clear that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon on my watch, and I think they should understand that we mean it,” Mr. Obama said. “But I say that hoping that we can conclude this diplomatic arrangement and that it ushers a new era in U.S.-Iranian relations and, just as importantly, over time, a new era in Iranian relations with its neighbours.”

The President said there are many details that still need to be worked out with the Iranians and cautioned that there would be “real political difficulties” in implementing an agreement in both countries. He reiterated his opposition to a legislation that would give the U.S. Congress final say in approving or rejecting a deal, but said he hoped to find a path to allow Congress to “express itself.”

On the substance of the Iran framework agreement, Mr. Obama outlined more specifics of how the U.S. would seek to verify that Tehran wasn’t cheating. He said there would be an “international mechanism” that would assess whether there needed to be an inspection at a suspicious site and could overrule Iranian objections.
  • Published in World

Russia to build more nuclear reactors for Iran

Moscow: Russia on Tuesday signed an agreement with Iran for helping the latter build two new nuclear reactors in the latter country, media reported. The two new nuclear reactors will be built in a nuclear power plant based in Iran's Bushehr region, which houses the country's existing 1,000 megawatt reactor that was completed by Russia's Rosatom corporation and started operation last year, Xinhua reported.

According to the protocol signed by Russian and Iranian representatives here Tuesday, the two countries agreed to eventually expand the number of reactors using Russian technology to eight in Iran, including four at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran.

 Nuclear fuel for the eight energy reactors will be provided by Russia and the used fuel rods will be returned to Russia, RIA Novosti news agency reported. Rosatom corporation stressed in a statement Tuesday that the project will be under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

 

  • Published in World

Iran dog lovers face 74 lashes, fines under new law

Tehran: Dog lovers in Iran could face up to 74 lashes under plans by hardline lawmakers that would ban keeping the pets at home or walking them in public. A draft bill, signed by 32 members of the country's conservative-dominated parliament, would also authorise heavy fines for offenders, the reformist Shargh newspaper reported.

Dogs are regarded as unclean under Islamic custom and they are not common in Iran, although some families do keep them behind closed doors and, especially in more affluent areas, walk them outside. Iran's morality police, who deploy in public places, have previously stopped dog walkers and either cautioned them or confiscated the animals.

But if the new bill is passed by parliament then those guilty of dog-related offences could face lashes or fines ranging from 10 million rials to 100 million rials ($370 to $3,700 at official rates). Patting dogs or coming into contact with their saliva is seen as "najis" -- direct contact and behaviour that leaves the body unclean -- in the Islamic republic.

"Anyone who walks or plays with animals such as dogs or monkeys in public places will damage Islamic culture, as well as the hygiene and peace of others, especially women and children," the draft law states. Confiscated animals would be sent to zoos, forests or the wilderness, it said. Hardliners in Iran's parliament are worried about an "invasion" of Western culture, including satellite television and the Internet, with dog ownership also being seen as un-Islamic.

The law, however, would exempt police, farmers and hunters from the penalties, which are mostly aimed at dog owners living in apartment buildings in big cities such as Tehran, according to the Shargh's report on Thursday.

Senior officials have warned against dog ownership, including Iran's police chief General Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam who two years ago said his officers would "deal with those who carry dogs in public." A similar law was proposed three years ago but after studying the bill lawmakers in the 290-member parliament dismissed it, citing more important legislation on the draft agenda.

  • Published in World
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