Ahmadinejad to Visit Latin America

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit Brazil next week during the Rio+20 summit and will meet world leaders on the sidelines of the gathering on sustainable development on 20-22 June. He would then visit Bolivia and Venezuela. In Caracas, he will have a brief meeting with the ailing president Hugo Chavez.

Brazil Becomes Sixth Biggest Economy

In a dramatic illustration of changing global fortunes, Brazil overtakes UK as the sixth biggest economy, the Center for Economic and Business Research reported on Monday. Brazil’s hard-won democracy, vast reserves of natural resources, rapidly-growing and cash-rich middle class and record foreign investments are the engines of its economic surge.

The world's ten biggest economies:

1. USA
2. China
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. France
6. Brazil
7. UK
8. Italy
9. Russia
10. India

File photo of Rio: Daily Mail

Russia and China Snub Iran - Reject Nuclear Tour Invitation

Russia and China today snubbed Iran and rejected Tehran’s invitation to join a “tour” of Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz and Arak on Saturday and Sunday. The Western countries had already rejected the invitation, regarding it as a bid to marginalize the role of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the sole authority for inspection of the country’s nuclear facilities.

Iran’s invitation had been sent to all members of IAEA except the US, Britain, France and Germany. Iran was expecting to get positive response from China and Russia and by snubbing the West it was hoping to divide the major powers ahead of their upcoming talks with Iran on 21-22 January in Istanbul.

Only five countries have so far accepted Tehran’s invitation to participate in the weekend tour of the nuclear facilities: Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Algeria and Egypt. Iran had also invited Brazil and Turkey, assumed to be Iran's close allies on nuclear issue, but both have declined.

Iran’s ambassador to IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said he was "very pleased" by the “positive” response of the international community to Tehran’s invitation.

The Iranian leaders are so consumed by their nuclear program that they are losing touch with realities, calling the rejection by all major powers and by Brazil, Turkey and the majority of IAEA membership a “positive” response to their invitation and their tactics. Their latest move was a big failure of their own making ahead of the crucial Istanbul talks.

Iran Silent on Brazil’s Appeal to Free Mohammadi- UPDATE

By Nader Uskowi

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made no public reactions to the personal appeal by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula to grant asylum by Brazil to Sakineh Mohammadi, the Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. Lula said on Saturday he hoped his friendship and regard for the Iranian president, the supreme leader, and the Iranian people was “worth something” and the Iranian leaders would accept Brazil’s offer of asylum for Mohammadi.

The Iranian media has also blocked the news of Lula’s offer. Even the Press TV, the English-language state-owned network that tries to portray a professional image for itself, has been silent on Lula’s offer.

The Iranian leaders and the country’s media have recently touted Brazil and its president as Iran’s greatest ally and have pointed to Lula’s personal involvement during Tehran Conference to strike a deal between Turkey, Brazil and Iran on the country’s nuclear program. Lula has been portrayed in Iranian media as a symbol of independence in today’s world. Now Lula’s personal appeal to Iranian leaders to free Sakineh Mohammadi from the cruel and uncivilized sentence she has received has put them in an awkward position. They cannot appear yielding to a foreign leader’s pressure on a domestic matter, but they cannot afford loosing Lula as an ally.

The episode shows the serious shortcomings of Iranian diplomacy. Desperate to prove that Iran is not rapidly being isolated at the world’s stage, the Iranian leaders and their controlled media made big deal of the move by Brazil and Turkey, portraying them as the vanguards of the struggle against “world arrogance.” But the policy cuts both ways. What if those very countries object to the reactionary policies of the Islamic Republic, as is the case with Lula’s offer for Mohammadi?

These are indeed some of the darkest days for Iranian diplomacy since the Iran-Iraq war ended two decades ago.

UPDATE (2 August): The US urged Iran to accept the asylum offer from Brazil for Sakineh Mohammadi.

"If Brazil is willing to accept... this woman, we would hope that Iran would consider that as a humanitarian gesture," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said on Monday. "And the fact that Brazil has stepped up and indicated a willingness to resolve it, we hope Iran will listen." [AFP, 2 August].

Brazil Offers Asylum for Sakineh Mohammadi

Sakineh Mohammadi

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula today offered to give asylum to Sakineh Mohammadi, an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.

"I want to make an appeal to my friend Ahmadinejad, the supreme leader of Iran, and to the government of Iran to allow Brazil to take in the woman”, Lula said [AFP, 31 July].

Mohammadi, a 43-year-old mother of two, was sentenced to death by stoning after being convicted in 2006 of having an extramarital affair. Her sentence sparked an outcry in Western countries, and was temporarily halted earlier this month by the Iranian judiciary chief.

"I have to respect country’s laws, but if my friendship and regard I have for the president of Iran and the Iranian people is worth something, if this woman is causing discomfort, we could take her in Brazil," Lula added.

Iran’s Uranium Enrichment, Ctd

Iran said it has produced more than 17 kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium and is capable of adding some 5 kilograms a month. Ali Akbar Salehi, director of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, announced the news in Tehran.

"We have so far produced more than 17 kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium and we can potentially produce five kilograms per month," Salehi said [ISNA, 24 June].

Salehi had previously announced that Iran had acquired the necessary technical expertise to convert the 20 percent enriched uranium into fuel plates required to power reactors [ISNA, 16 June].

The enrichment announcement represents a defiance of the UN Security Council resolution calling on Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.

Brazil that had helped brokered an agreement with Iran to send its LEU to Turkey in return for the reactor fuel; today issued a word of caution to Iran. The Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, on a visit to Bulgaria, said there were concerns over Iran’s nuclear program by the Vienna Group over the Tehran Agreement and “now it is up to Iran to react to these” [AFP, 24 June].

UN Approves New Sanctions Against Iran - Updated

UNSC Approving New Sanctions Against Iran

New York. 9 June 2010. AP Photo

The UN Security Council today imposed its fourth round of sanctions against Iran. Twelve member states, including all permanent members, voted for the resolution. Two countries (Brazil, Turkey) voted against and Lebanon abstained. The new sanctions broaden three earlier sets of sanctions imposed on Iran, the last of which was adopted on 31 March 2008. The highlights of the new UN resolution:

- Calls on countries (but not requiring countries) to block financial transactions with Iranian banks if they have information that provides "reasonable grounds" to believe the banking transactions could contribute to the Iranian nuclear program.

- Authorizes states to conduct high-sea inspections of vessels believed to be ferrying banned items from or to Iran.

- Expands arms embargo against Iran. It prohibits Iran from developing ballistic missiles and from purchasing several categories of heavy weapons, including attack helicopter and missiles.

- Prohibits Iran from investing in uranium mining anywhere in the world.

- Expands a list of individuals and entities subject to travel restrictions and financial sanctions, including asset freeze. Among 40 entities added to the list, 22 are linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, 15 are owned by IRGC, and three controlled by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.

UNSC resolution notes Turkey and Brazil’s efforts toward an agreement with Iran on Tehran Research Reactor that could serve as a confidence building measure. It emphasizes the importance of political and diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated solution guaranteeing that Iran's nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes. It also calls on Iran to address the core issues related to its nuclear program.

UPDATE I: Iran’s ambassador to IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, told the meeting that "illegal resolutions" by the council will not stop Iran from exercising its "legitimate right to develop its nuclear program" [AP, 9 June].

UPDATE II: Reacting to new UN sanctions, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said they were like a "used handkerchief that should be dumped in a garbage can…They cannot harm the Iranian nation" [ISNA, 9 June].

Nuclear Agreement in Tehran: Text

The following is the text of the ten-point detailed declaration on the nuclear swap deal, put forward by the leaders of Brazil, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran:

1. We reaffirm our commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and in accordance with the related articles of the NPT, recall the right of all state parties, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy (as well as nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment activities) for peaceful purposes without discrimination.

2. We express our strong conviction that we have the opportunity now to begin a forward looking process that will create a positive, constructive, non-confrontational atmosphere leading to an era of interaction and cooperation.

3. We believe that the nuclear fuel exchange is instrumental in initiating cooperation in different areas, especially with regard to peaceful nuclear cooperation including nuclear power plant and research reactors construction.

4. Based on this point, the nuclear fuel exchange is a starting point to begin cooperation and a positive constructive move forward among nations. Such a move should lead to positive interaction and cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities replacing and avoiding all kinds of confrontation through refraining from measures, actions and rhetorical statements that would jeopardize Iran's rights and obligations under the NPT.

5. Based on the above, in order to facilitate the nuclear cooperation mentioned above, the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to deposit 1200 kilograms LEU in Turkey. While in Turkey this LEU will continue to be the property of Iran. Iran and the IAEA may station observers to monitor the safekeeping of the LEU in Turkey.

6. Iran will notify the IAEA in writing through official channels of its agreement with the above within seven days following the date of this declaration. Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group (US, Russia, France and the IAEA) further details of the exchange will be elaborated through a written agreement and proper arrangement between Iran and the Vienna Group that specifically committed themselves to deliver 120 kilograms of fuel needed for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).

7. When the Vienna Group declares its commitment to this provision, then both parties would commit themselves to the implementation of the agreement mentioned in item 6. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its readiness to deposit its LEU (1200 kilograms) within one month. On the basis of the same agreement the Vienna Group should deliver 120 kilograms fuel required for TRR in no later than one year.

8. In case the provisions of this Declaration are not respected, Turkey, upon the request of Iran, will return swiftly and unconditionally Iran's LEU to Iran.

9. We welcome the decision of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue as in the past their talks with the 5+1 countries in Turkey on the common concerns based on collective commitments according to the common points of their proposals.

10. Turkey and Brazil appreciated Iran's commitment to the NPT and its constructive role in pursuing the realization of nuclear rights of its member states. The Islamic Republic of Iran likewise appreciated the constructive efforts of the friendly countries Turkey and Brazil in creating the conducive environment for realization of Iran's nuclear rights.

Photo: Hamed Malekpour at Fars News Agency

Lula Meets Khamenei

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Tehran. 16 May 2010. IRNA

Brazil President in Tehran

President Lula da Silva Arriving in Tehran

Saturday 15 May. IRNA

Brazilian President Lula da Silva arrived in Tehran on Saturday for meetings with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad. Lula will also attend the G15 summit being held in Tehran on Monday. Iran’s uranium enrichment program is at the top of the agenda when the Brazilian president meets with Khamenei and Ahmadinejad. Lula is trying to pull off a last-minute compromise between Iran and the West before UN Security Council considers a new round of sanctions against Iran.

Brazil President To Visit Tehran: Compromise on Nuclear Program?

By Nader Uskowi

Brazilian President Lula da Silva will arrive in Tehran on Saturday on a state visit. Lula is scheduled to meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad. He will also give the keynote speech at G15 summit held this year in Tehran.

The Iranian media is playing up the economic and commercial importance of the visit. IRNA is reporting that Lula and Ahmadinejad and their ministers will sign 17 agreements on bilateral economic and commercial cooperation. There are no mentions as of yet of any political issues on the agenda when the Brazilian president meets Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad.

Notwithstanding the coverage in the Iranian media, it is certain that the most critical topic of discussion between President Lula and Ayatollah Khamenei would be Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Brazil currently holds one of non-permanent seats at the UN Security Council that is expected to pass a new round of sanctions against Iran over its enrichment program. The Brazilian president will be trying to pull off an eleventh-hour compromise by Iran so the country can avoid further sanctions.

It looks, however, that any serious compromise to avoid sanction would invariably require Iran to ship out most of its current stockpile of enriched uranium, albeit to a more friendly country like Turkey or Brazil (the Turkish president will also be arriving in Tehran during the weekend and will meet Ayatollah Khamenei.) It is doubtful, however, that the Iranian leader could politically take the risks involved in such compromise. The Iranian public has been for long fed the official line of no shipping out of the country’s enriched uranium; it does not expect it, and probably would not accept it.

The leadership has put itself in an unenviable situation. Accept the compromise and be seen by the public as surrendering to foreign powers, or stay the course and invite the fourth round of sanctions, voted in by countries like China and Russia, supposedly Iran’s main allies among the major powers. But Khamenei does not seem to be in the mood for even an appearance of surrender.

Pele's Gift to President Ahmadinejad

Brazil's Trade and Industry Minister Miguel Jorge presented an autographed jersey by soccer great Pele to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad is an avid soccer fan.

Minister Jorge, heading a delegation of about 100 businessmen and industrialists, arrived in Tehran on Monday.

Source: Mehr News Agency

Brazilian President Lula to visit Iran to make statement

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stated he is going to Iran on the 15th of May this year to make some statements since he doesn't: "want the mistake that was made in Iraq to be repeated in Iran."

He stated that the Iraq War happened because of a lie spread by the western powers that invaded in 2003 on the pretext of removing Saddam from power and stopping him from using 'Weapons of Mass Destruction', such weapons the US Army occupying the country to this day haven't found.

"I'm going there to tell President Ahmadinejad, in Tehran: 'I am against you building nuclear weapons, but I am in favor of you enriching uranium like Brazil does, to produce nuclear energy,'"
--Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva

To date the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) inspectors stationed in Iran have not been able to find evidence to support Western claims of diversion in the Iranian nuclear program, the US in particular allege that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons under the disguise of a civilian program a claim that Tehran has time in and time out rejected.

On New Sanctions- The Iran View

By Mark Pyruz

That there will be a cost to pay for maintaining a legalist position toward its nuclear program, the Islamic Republic of Iran's leadership understand full well. From previous experiences with the West where the West has failed to deliver and continually moved the nuclear goalposts, they realize that it is nuclear rights and, to an extent, their very sovereignty that is at issue here. When one frames the issue in real Iranian terms, the Iranian position is well understood and predictable. Dennis Ross himself has written on taking advantage of this, and on purposely advancing an offer of false engagement that is intended to be rejected, in order to boost an anti-Iran agenda that deprives Iran of its nuclear rights, and moves forward elements of economic warfare to be directed against the Islamic Republic. This is a matter of public record, which everyone has read including the Iranians.

A considerable amount of effort is being undertaken by the US State Department, to further isolate Iran and advance this anti-Iran agenda. One wonders how a sincere effort of US engagement by President Obama toward Iran would fare if a similar level of effort were undertaken beyond that of an abrupt take-it-or-leave-it offer, comparable to the exertion of the USG's current anti-Iran efforts.

That the USG will ultimately succeed toward this latest anti-Iran effort is to be expected. But success this time around is also costing America, in terms of its leadership role on these related issues. The 118 member Non-Aligned Movement is behind the Islamic Republic of Iran's right to nuclear power, and the double standard policies exhibited by US policy is not being lost on rising regional powers, such as Turkey, China and Brazil. While these takeaways may appear minor for the US compared to the level of economic sacrifice the Iranians are willing to accept in order to retain their nuclear rights and sovereignty, nevertheless this has a cumulative and enduring effect on US world standing.

The Islamic Republic of Iran remains a revolutionary nation. Issues of rights and sovereignty shared by nations of the developing world make up elements of this revolutionary personality, and a shared cause such as the nuclear rights of developing nations allows revolutionary Iran to once again exhibit moral courage on the world stage, in the face of obvious double standard and hypocrisy. For the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this is of considerable importance, in addition to the very real advantages of developing an indigenous nuclear industry. Toward this endeavor, they appear to have the majority support of the Iranian people.

No New Sanctions - Iran Media

The reports in Iranian media indicate major failure by the US to convince the key members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to support any new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Kayhan reports that Russia is opposing any sanctions that directly or indirectly affect Iran’s ordinary people. The influential conservative newspaper also reports China’s opposition to any types of new sanctions against Iran [Kayhan, 4 March].

The media also is reporting the opposition to sanctions by key non-permanent members of the UNSC. Press TV reports that Turkish foreign minister, whose country is one of the current members of UNSC, opposes any new sanctions, saying imposing sanctions on Iran will have “catastrophic consequences” for the Middle East [Press TV, 4 March].

Fars New Agency reports that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has failed to convince the Brazilian president to support any sanctions against Iran [Fars, 4 March] Clinton just ended a visit to Brazil, which also holds a seat in the current session of the council.

To pass a new sanctions resolution at UNSC, the West needs to get at least nine votes in the 15-member chamber, with Russia and China not casting any veto. There are 10 non-permanent members at the council. Currently they include Brazil and Turkey as well as Austria, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Uganda, Gabon, Bosnia and Lebanon.

Ahmadinejad to visit Brazil

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit Brazil in late November, Fars News Agency reported today.

Ahmadinejad's first visit to Brazil had been scheduled for last summer but was postponed after the June presidential elections in Iran.

Since 2005, under Ahmadinejad’s presidency, Iran has made a considerable effort to establish a strong presence in Latin America.