U.N. Powers Threaten More Action Against Iran

Six U.N. Security Council powers yesterday urged Iran to scale back its nuclear program if it wants to avoid additional international sanctions, Reuters reported (see GSN, May 1).

Officials from the five permanent council members and Germany met in London to discuss their plans if Iran chooses again to ignore a council deadline to freeze its uranium enrichment activities. 

“There was strong agreement on the way ahead, reflecting our shared concerns about Iran’s noncompliance with [the International Atomic Energy Agency] and Security Council requirements and our common interest in a negotiated solution,” said a statement released by the six.  “All agreed that if Iran failed to meet international requirements the Security Council would need to take further action” (Sophie Walker, Reuters/Malaysia Star, May 2).

Meanwhile, former Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian apparently could face charges of spying after his arrest yesterday in Tehran, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, May 2).

Mousavian, reportedly an ally of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, was a leading diplomat on Iran’s nuclear team before the group was replaced by current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad two years ago.

“The probable charge of espionage activities may be raised against him,” said an official quoted by the semiofficial Fars new agency.  “Mousavian was arrested because of connections and exchange of information with foreign elements.”

“Mousavian's case is under initial investigation and interrogation, and his release is unlikely,” the agency added.

Rafsanjani’s political camp has advocated more moderate nuclear policies in Iran, AP reported, and Mousavian’s arrest could be sign of an effort to restrain this growing influence, said one nuclear expert.

“It may be an attempt by the supreme leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] to not let them get too powerful,” said Jon Wolfsthal of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.  Khamenei, he said, tries to keep a balance between the Rafsanjani and Ahmadinejad factions.

Another expert, however, suggested it is too soon to assess the arrest’s significance.

“There are lots of tactical gambits by one side or the other” in Iran, said Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East program. “This is one of those tactical gambits” (Nasser Karimi, Associated Press/San Diego Union-Tribune, May 2).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.