Iran: council gives final approval to nuclear deal
A group of top Iranian jurists and theologians approved the nuclear deal with world powers on Oct. 14, marking the completion of the last step before implementation of the deal may begin. The Iranian Parliament accepted the nuclear agreement the previous day and moved the process on to the Guardian Council, which determined the legislation was consistent with the constitution and Islamic law. The nuclear agreement is now law in Iran, which has the power to withdraw if world powers do not hold up their end of the deal regarding the lifting of economic sanctions. Officials request that the sanctions be removed by January at the latest. Iran has yet to satisfy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, and the IAEA must report on the matter by Dec. 15.
From Jurst, Oct. 15. Used with permission.
IAEA: Iran pursued nuclear bomb
A highly anticipated report by the International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded that Iran carried out a coordinated effort to develop a nuclear bomb until 2003 and conducted sporadic weapons-related experiments until 2009, when the effort was finally abandoned. The report, released Dec. 2, focuses on the research carried out at Iran’s Parchin facility, a site. In the 16-page document, the IAEA "assesses that a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device were conducted in Iran prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort, and some activities took place" until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama’s first term in office. (Foreign Policy)
Iran missile test claimed
Iran tested a new medium-range ballistic missile last month in a breach of two U.N. Security Council resolutions, two US officials said. The officials, both speaking on condition of anonymity, said the test was held on Nov. 21. One of them said the missile traveled within Iranian territory. Fox News cited Western intelligence sources as saying the test was held near Chabahar, a port city near Iran's border with Pakistan. All ballistic missile tests by Iran are banned under a 2010 Security Council resolution that remains valid until a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers is implemented. (Reuters)