25 January 2008
Iran receives a sixth batch of nuclear fuel from Russia for its Bushehr nuclear power plant, leaving just two more to complete the total consignment. This shipment was the third in five days and comes after Iranian leaders vowed to press on with the country's nuclear program regardless of any new UN sanctions, after world powers this week agreed the outline of a new resolution. Iran, which has so far received about 66 tons of nuclear fuel out of an expected total of 82 tons, says it also wants to make its own fuel so that it will have secure supplies in the future.
—"Russia Delivers 6th Nuke Batch to Iran," China Daily, 25 January 2008.

6 February 2008
Iran tests a new centrifuge design to enrich uranium, according to European and American diplomats. The IR-2 is an Iranian improvement on a Pakistani design that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted in an April 2006 speech would quadruple Iran's enrichment powers. A report released 7 February by the Institute for Science and International Security states that 1,200 centrifuges of the new design could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb in one year. Iran would need 3,000 of the current generation of machines for the equivalent output.
—"Iran is Reported to Test New Centrifuge," The New York Times, 8 February 2008; "Iran Testing New Centrifuges to Make Fuel," The Weekend Australian, 9 February 2008; David Albright and Jacqueline Shire, "Iran Installing More Advanced Centrifuge at Natanz Pilot Enrichment Plant: Factsheet on the P-2/IR-2 Centrifuge," The Institute for Science and International Security, 7 February 2008.

9 February 2008
Construction of a "360-megawatt plant is under way at Darkhovin," according to Iran's Ambassador to Russia Gholamreza Ansari. Iran is reportedly committed to investing billions of dollars to provide fuel for this new plant if other countries are not willing to supply Iran with nuclear fuel. U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns says "The United States sees no need at all for Iran to build additional nuclear power plants."
—"Iran's nuclear program expands: ambassador claims Tehran building second power plant," National Post (Canada), 9 February 2008; "U.S.: Iran has no need to build more nuclear plants," The Jerusalem Post, 10 February 2008.

15 February 2008
The Bush administration is agreeing to provide the IAEA intelligence data that it says proves Iran worked on developing a nuclear weapon. According to American and foreign officials, information culled from a laptop, smuggled out of Iran in 2004, includes a description of the Green Salt Project. This project involved uranium reprocessing, high explosives testing and missile warhead design.
—"In a Reversal, U.S. Agrees to Produce Data Pointing to Iran's Nuclear Ambitions," The New York Times, 15 February 2008; "U.S. Will Release Data on Iran's Nuclear Work," The International Herald Tribune, 16 February 2008.

22 February 2008
A new IAEA report concludes that Iran has not fully answered the international community's questions about its nuclear program and is testing new centrifuge technology to enrich uranium faster. According to the report, Iran has provided answers to most questions, but has not explained the documents pointing to undeclared efforts to weaponize nuclear materials by linking uranium enrichment with explosives testing and warhead design.
—"U.S. Seeks Support for Sanctioning Iran: Nuclear Issues Unresolved, IAEA Says," The Washington Post, 23 February 2008; "Iran fails to answer weapons questions - UN body," The New Zealand Herald, 23 February 2008.

26 February 2008
European countries plan to offer a new incentives package to Iran if it agrees to halt its uranium enrichment program. While not opposed to the proposed incentives package, at this point the United States is not planning to join the proposal. The Bush administration is prodding the UN Security Council to approve a new round of sanctions against Iran.
—"Europeans Plan Incentives, as Iran Says Sanctions Won't Halt Nuclear Program," The New York Times, 26 February 2008; "Europeans plan new incentives for Iran; Diplomats strategize over nuclear program," The International Herald Tribune, 27 February 2008.

3 March 2008
The UN Security Council approves a third round of economic sanctions against Iran for its failure to suspend enrichment work. The sanctions ban dual-use goods, which have both military and civilian applications, from being traded with Iran. They also provide for the inspection of shipments suspected of carrying any banned items. According to Iran's ambassador Mohammad Khazee, Iran will not comply with this "unlawful action" against its "peaceful nuclear program."
—"UN Approves Iran Sanctions," The Wall Street Journal, 4 March 2008; "Security Council Approves New Sanctions against Iran," The Independent (London), 4 March 2008; "Tehran defies UN on new round of nuclear sanctions," The Australian, 5 March 2008.

9 April 2008
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says during a visit to Natanz that Iranian engineers are installing 6,000 IR-2 centrifuges. Iran currently has 3,000 older centrifuges, and is enriching uranium to between three and four percent U-235.
—"Iran Claims to Install New, Faster Centrifuges; Machines to Go Online In a Few Months, After Testing, President Says," The Washington Post, 9 April 2008; "Iran says it's Installing New Centrifuges," The New York Times, 9 April 2008.

13 April 2008
The leader of Iran's nuclear program, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, cancels talks with IAEA Director General, Mohamed El-Baradei. The talks were intended to resolve some of the outstanding issues Iran has with the IAEA. An IAEA official tells the Associated Press that no reason has been given for the cancellation.
—"Official: Iran abruptly calls off meeting with chief of UN nuclear agency," The International Herald Tribune, 13 April 2008; "Iran canceled talks, UN agency says," The Los Angeles Times, 14 April 2008.

21 April 2008
Iran agrees to talks with the IAEA regarding allegations that it studied nuclear warhead design until 2003. The agreement "is a certain milestone, and hopefully by the end of May we'll be in position to get the explanation and clarification from Iran as to these alleged studies," Mohamed El-Baradei, director general of the IAEA, says to a group of reporters. El-Baradei's spokeswoman indicates the deal was struck in Tehran on Monday and Tuesday between Iranian leaders and Olli Heinonen, the IAEA's top investigator.
—"Iran to Discuss Alleged Studies of Atomic Arms," The New York Times, 24 April 2008; "Iran agrees to talk with arms inspectors," The Los Angeles Times, 24 April 2008.

29 April 2008
Forty-eight photos are released to the media of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 8 April 2008 tour of the Natanz enrichment facility. These pictures offer the first glimpse into the Iranian nuclear program. Most importantly they include a detailed look at the new IR-2 centrifuges. Many arms control experts are surprised to see Iran's Defense Minister, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar in the photos. His attendance strikes some analysts as odd given Iran's claim that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful. In one picture, Mr. Najjar appears to lead the presidential tour.
—"Inside an Enigma: A Tantalizing Look at Iran's Nuclear Program," The New York Times, 29 April 2008.

1 May 2008
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany will consider economic, technological and military options to persuade Iran to halt its enrichment program. Western diplomats indicate that the incentives offer is a slightly modified version of the 2006 EU incentives package Iran rejected. The U.S. has agreed to participate in the new incentives plan as a condition for the approval of a third set of UN Security Council sanctions on 3 March 2008. The text of the incentives package is still being worked out.
—"Iran's Nuclear Program Subject of Talks," United Press International, 16 April 2008; "Agreement reached on incentives for Iran on nuclear program," Associated Press Online, 2 May 2008; "Iran to be offered incentives; World powers agree to tender a deal, similar to one rejected, to help resume nuclear talks," The Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2008.

4 May 2008
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that Iran will continue with its nuclear program despite Western pressure to halt enrichment: "No threat can hinder the Iranian nation from its path. We will forcefully continue on our path and will not allow the oppressors to step on our rights." Iran's Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, is quoted as saying that the new incentives package should not cross Iran's "red line." In the past Iran has indicated that the "red line" is its uranium enrichment program.
—"Iran Vows not to Halt its Nuclear Program Despite Western pressure," Associated Press Online , 5 May 2008; "Iran Seems to Reject West's Offer," The New York Times, 5 May 2008.

14 May 2008
Iran's ambassador to the EU presents a new package of proposals to the EU regarding Iran's nuclear program. Ambassador Ali Asghar Khaji says the package calls for an overhaul of the NPT and an end to "double standards" by the nuclear weapon states regarding their NPT requirements. Khaji also indicates in the proposal that Iran is willing to continue nuclear talks with Javier Solana without suspending its uranium enrichment.
—"Iran Puts new Proposals on its Nuclear Program to the European Union," The Associated Press, 14 May 2008; "Iran calls UN sanctions illegal, offers a proposal for talks," Associated Press Online, 15 May 2008.

26 May 2008
Iran may be withholding information needed to establish whether it has tried to make nuclear arms and remains defiant of the UN Security Council's demands to halt its enrichment, the IAEA says in a strongly worded report. "The Agency is of the view that Iran may have additional information, in particular on high explosives testing and missile related activities," says the report. The IAEA indicates that Iran now has 3,500 centrifuges operating, and specifies that the new IR-2 centrifuges are only in a testing phase.
—"Iran may be withholding information needed in nuke probe," The Associated Press Online , 26 May 2008; "Iran Withholds Key Nuclear Documents; Program Still Peaceful, UN Agency Says," The Washington Post, 27 May 2008.

3 June 2008
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini says that "no wise nation" would pursue nuclear weapons, but his country will continue to develop its nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
—"Ayatollah vows Iran's Nuclear Program will go on," The Associated Press, 3 June 2008; "Iranian Supreme Leader Vows to Pursue Nuclear Program," Voice of America News, 3 June 2008.

11 June 2008
President Bush and EU leaders embrace new financial sanctions against Iran. The new financial measures will target Iranian banks, unless Iran fully discloses any nuclear weapons work and allows the IAEA to verify that work. President Bush reiterates his stance that "all options remain on the table," when dealing with Iran's nuclear program.
—"Europeans Back Bush on Nuclear Curbs," The New York Times 11 June 2008; "Bush and Allies Embrace Possible Iran Sanctions," Sentinel and Enterprise, 11 June 2008.

12 June 2008
Responding to the latest sanctions enacted against his country, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says in a televised speech that the "West can't do anything" and singles out President Bush as a lame duck who fails at every attempt to hurt Iran. The increasingly tough warnings from the U.S. and the EU have had little effect on Iran's nuclear program. Iran has begun transferring its assets from European to Asian banks to protect them from tighter sanctions.
—"Iran Says Bush's Military Threat Will Not Affect Nuclear Ambitions," Voice of America News, 12 June 2008; "Iran Unmoved by Threats Over its Atomic Program," The New York Times, 12 June 2008.

13 June 2008
The European Union's foreign policy leader, Javier Solana, travels to Iran to present Tehran with an incentives package aimed at halting Iran's enrichment work. Solana will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili during his two-day visit. Iran indicates that it will reject the deal because it requires Iran to halt its enrichment activities.
—"EU Offers Iran Incentives to end Nuke Work," United Press International , 13 June 2008; "EU Foreign Policy Chief Travels to Iran for Nuclear Talks," Voice of America News, 13 June 2008; "Bush Criticizes Iran Decision on Nuclear Program," The Associated Press Online , 14 June 2008.

14 June 2008
The A.Q. Khan smuggling ring, which has reportedly sold illicit nuclear materials to Iran, Syria, North Korea and Iraq also managed to acquire blueprints for an advanced compact nuclear device that could be fitted onto a missile, according to a draft report by former top UN arms inspector David Albright. Albright, now president of the Institute for Science and International Security says that, "These would have been ideal for two of Khan's other major customers, Iran and North Korea. They both faced struggles in building a nuclear warhead small enough to fit atop their ballistic missiles, and these designs were for a warhead that would fit." It is unknown whether the designs were delivered to either country, or to anyone else, Albright says. The drawings were found on a Swiss businessman's computer who is known to have been a member of Khan's nuclear black market group. The Swiss government shared the documents with the IAEA and the United States. The IAEA has acknowledged that it oversaw the destruction of these electronic documents.
—"Smugglers Had Design for Advanced Warhead," The Washington Post, 15 June 2008; "Smugglers had Plans for a Compact Nuke," The Star Ledger, 15 June 2008.

16 June 2008
The EU joins Great Britain in increasing sanctions against Iran. The EU will freeze assets in Bank Melli, Iran's largest bank, and is said to be considering increasing sanctions against Iran's oil and gas sector. This move is prompted by Iran's rejection of the latest incentives package offered by the EU and the United States.
—"EU to Issue Stronger Iran Sanctions," Associated Press Online , 17 June 2008; "Iran to Face new EU Sanctions, Brown Says," The Washington Post, 17 June 2008.

1 July 2008
Iran's top diplomat indicates a readiness to negotiate a U.S.-backed proposal to end the nuclear standoff. Iran is "seriously and carefully examining it," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says. Referring to the offer made by the world's six major powers, Mottaki indicates: "We believe that talks are a good foundation for continuing our conversation in this field ... We view the position taken by the five-plus-one as a constructive one." After EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented the proposal, he added, "we saw the potential for the beginning for a new round of talks." Mottaki says he will write a formal response within the next "couple of weeks." Mottaki says that, "Iran has presented its own proposal to solve the issue." Javier Solana, in Iran last month to deliver the new incentives package, proposed a six week "freeze-for-freeze," where Iran would suspend enrichment and the sanctions would be lifted. Iran had initially rejected the incentives offer but did not do so in face-to-face meetings with Solana. In another development, a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warns that provocative Iranian statements could hurt the country's cause in its nuclear dispute.
—"Iran Appears to Warm to Diplomacy," The Washington Post, 2 July 2008; "Iranian FM says 'New Process; under way in Nuclear Talks,'" Voice of America News, 2 July 2008.

5 July 2008
Iran formally responds to the latest P5 + 1 incentives package without specifically addressing the core issue of uranium enrichment. Instead, the letter indicates that Iran is willing to have comprehensive negotiations with Javier Solana, but insists that it will not suspend enrichment during negotiations. According to Iranian officials, "Iran's stand regarding its peaceful nuclear program has not changed." Some Western officials involved in the negotiations express disappointment. "There is nothing new in the response," one says. Western officials contend that Iran is prolonging the diplomatic back-and-forth to continue its nuclear activities. Officials from Javier Solana's office say that there will be no immediate response to the letter.
—"Iran Responds Obliquely to Nuclear Plan," The New York Times, 5 July 2008; "Iran Indicates it has no Plans to Halt Enrichment," The Associated Press, 5 July 2008.

8 July 2008
In an effort to increase pressure on Iran, the Bush administration imposes financial sanctions on Iranian officials and businesses involved with the nuclear program. Any financial assets found in the United States that belong to these entities will be frozen and American businesses and individuals will be prohibited from doing business with them. The Treasury Department's action covers the TAMAS Co., for its alleged involvement in enrichment-related activities, and Shahid Sattari Industries. The U.S. also sanctions three other entities believed to be owned or controlled by Iran's Defense Industries Organization, which was put on the U.S. blacklist last year. Those entities are Seventh of Tir, Ammunition and Metallurgy Industries Group and Parchin Chemical Industries. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi, a senior scientist at Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, is also among those targeted.
—"U.S. Moves Against Iranian Officials, Companies," Associated Press Financial Wire, 8 July 2008; "Designation of Iranian Entities and Individuals for Proliferation Purposes," State News Service, 8 July 2008.

16 July 2008
The Bush administration will send U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns to Geneva to participate with his European counterparts in talks with Iran about its nuclear program. Burns will not negotiate with the Iranians directly or hold any side meetings, but will advance the Bush administration's assertions that negotiations can only start after Iran suspends enrichment. State Department officials say Burns will not participate in further discussions during the freeze-for-freeze period: "This is a one-time deal."
—"American Envoy to Join Iran Talks; Move Is Departure from Prior Policy," The Washington Post, 16 July 2008; "Official: U.S. envoy to meet Iranian nuke negotiator," The Associated Press Online , 17 July 2008.

18 July 2008
Despite the presence of U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns, no progress is made in the Iranian nuclear negotiations. "Any kind of suspension or freeze is out of the question," an Iranian official told Reuters before the talks, rejecting the notion of a freeze-for-freeze. Javier Solana describes the day's talks as constructive but indicates that Iran has not given a clear answer on the incentives package. "We have not got a clear answer ... [W]e didn't get an answer 'yes' or 'no' and we hope that it will be given soon." Iranian Foreign Minister, Saeed Jalili, says the package contains many positive ideas and that he will give Iran's response to Solana in two weeks.
—"Iran Nuclear Talks Wrap up in Geneva," Radio Free Europe, 19 July 2008; "Iran Nuclear Talks end in Deadlock," Voice of America News, 19 July 2008.

27 July 2008
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims that Iran now possesses 6,000 centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment plant. [Note: A May IAEA report indicated that Iran had 3,500 centrifuges in operation. See NTI Chronology 26 May 2008.] "The West wanted us to stop," Ahmadinejad is quoted as saying, "We resisted, and now they want to resume negotiations."
—"Report: Iran now has 6,000 centrifuges for uranium," The Associated Press, 27 July 2008; "Iran Claims it has Added Enrichment Capability," The Virginian-Pilot, 27 July 2008.

31 July 2008
Speaking just days before a deadline set by world powers for Iran to reply to proposals to curb its nuclear ambitions, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader, says that Iran will "continue with its path" of nuclear development. Iran is signaling that it does not intend to meet the latest deadline to respond to the U.S.-backed incentives package, aimed at achieving a temporary "freeze-for-freeze." Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says that Iran has already presented its views to the West and is awaiting its reply.
—"Iran FM Rejects Deadline for Nuclear Incentives Package," Voice of America News, 31 July 2008; "Despite Call to Halt Iran says it will Continue its Nuclear Program," The New York Times, 31 July 2008.

1 August 2008
Iran fails to win support from the non-aligned nations to remove UN Security Council sanctions. A U.S. official says the conference is deadlocked on portions of the draft statement presented by Iran, which demands the removal of sanctions, dismisses UN authority, and affirms Iran's right to possess the entire nuclear fuel cycle. Iran does receive broad endorsement to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.
—"U.S. Officials: Iran Rebuffed on Nuclear Support," The Associated Press, 2 August 2008.

4 August 2008
The United States, Great Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany agree to seek new sanctions against Iran after the country fails to respond to an incentives package aiming to resolve the nuclear dispute. "We are disappointed that we have not yet received a response from Iran," State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos tells reporters. "We agreed in the absence of a clear, positive response from Iran [that] we have no choice but to pursue further measures against Iran."
—"New sanctions sought for Iran on nuke works," Newsday, 4 August 2008, "Iran Issues new Warning after Defying Deadline," The New York Times, 5 August 2008.

6 August 2008
Iranian officials send a two-page letter to the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana saying they are "ready to provide a clear response" to the recent proposal from world powers. But the letter also says that Iran is "simultaneously expecting to receive your clear response to our questions and ambiguities as well." The letter makes no commitments on the temporary suspension of uranium enrichment. The Bush administration calls this response unacceptable and says the world powers' next step should be to increase sanctions.
—"Iran: Letter on Nuclear Program," The New York Times, 6 August 2008; "France: Iran Reply on Nuclear Offer Insufficient," The Associated Press, 6 August 2008.

8 August 2008
The European Union increases its trade sanctions against Iran. The new sanctions go slightly beyond the scope of the UN sanctions and are designed to deny public loans or export credits to companies trading with Iran. European governments will also monitor banks dealing with Bank Saderat (an Iranian bank with links to suspected Iranian nuclear activities), and increase inspections of ships and airplanes traveling to Iran.
—"EU Tightens Sanctions on Iran over Nuclear Program," The Associated Press, 8 August 2008; "Iran: EU Tightens Sanctions Due to Nuclear Program," The Wall Street Journal, 9 August 2008.

12 August 2008
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designates five entities, the Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine (a.k.a. Karaj Nuclear Research Center), the Esfahan Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Center (NFRPC), Jabber Ibn Hayan, Safety Equipment Procurement Company (SEP Co.) and Joza Industrial Company, for their ties to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. "These five nuclear and missile entities have been used by Iran to hide its illicit conduct and further its dangerous nuclear ambitions," Stuart Levey, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, says in a statement announcing the action.
—"Treasury Designates Iranian Nuclear and Missile Entities," State News Service, 12 August 2008; "U.S. Imposes Sanction on 5 Iranian Companies," The Associated Press, 12 August 2008.

16 August 2008
Iran successfully launches the Safir (Messenger) rocket into space and according to Reza Taghizadeh, "the firing paved the way for placing the first Iranian satellite in orbit." Western intelligence agencies believe Iran is using its space program to test ballistic missile technology and are modifying the nose cone to carry a compact nuclear warhead.
—Islamic Republic News Agency, 17 August 2008; Lauren Gelfand and Alon Ben-David, "Iranian Two-Stage SLV Passes Test Launch," Jane's Defense Weekly, 20 August 2008; Doug Richardson, "Safir Launch Paved Way for Placing Iranian Satellite in Space," Jane's Missiles & Rockets, 1 September 2008.

28 August 2008
Iran offers to share its nuclear technology with Nigeria to boost electricity production. The deal is signed at the end of three days of talks between the oil producing nations. Both countries stress that the nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
—"Iran Offers Nuclear Technology to Nigeria," Voice of America News, 29 August 2008; "Iran, Nigeria Announce Peaceful Nuclear Deal," Mobile Register, 29 August 2008.

30 August 2008
Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Reza Sheikh Attar says Iran is using 4,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium and plans to install an additional 3,000 in the future. This statement corroborates an IAEA estimate on the number of centrifuges Iran is currently using.
—"Iran Claims to have 4,000 working centrifuges," Voice of America News, 30 August 2008; "Iran Corroborates UN Nuclear Monitor's Estimate of Centrifuges in Operation," The Washington Post, 29 August 2008.

10 September 2008
The United States imposes sanctions on Iran's maritime carrier, Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, and eighteen affiliates for allegedly supporting Iran's nuclear and missile programs. The U.S. orders a freeze on any savings or financial assets in U.S. banks. The new sanctions restrict any business dealings between American companies and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.
—"U.S. Sanctions Iranian Maritime Carrier and Affiliates," Voice of America News, 10 September 2008; "Iranian Shipping Line Dismisses U.S. Sanctions," The Associated Press, 11 September 2008

16 September 2008
The IAEA reaches an impasse with Iran over the country's refusal to account for its nuclear weapons research. "We seem to be at a dead end," says a senior agency official. Iran now operates 3,800 centrifuges and has increased their efficiency to about 80 percent (from around 50 percent), according to calculations based on the report's figures. In another revelation, the IAEA says that foreign expertise may have helped Iran with experiments on a detonator that could be used in the implosion of a nuclear weapon.
—"UN Agency at 'Dead End' as Iran Rejects Queries on Nuclear Research," The Washington Post, 16 September 2008; "Nuclear Agency Says Iran Has Improved Enrichment," The New York Times, 16 September 2008.

22 September 2008
Mohamed El-Baradei states the IAEA will "not be able to provide credible assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran," unless Iran clears up questions about its previous nuclear weapons experiments. El-Baradei goes on to say that Iran "needs to give the agency substantive information," and that continued stonewalling of the IAEA is a "serious concern." Iran’s chief delegate to the IAEA, Ali Ashgar Soltanieh rejects the claims that his country is hiding any nuclear activities and says he believes the IAEA is being manipulated by the United States.
—"Chief inspector: Iran may be hiding secret nukes," The Associated Press, 23 September 2008; "Iran hasn't answered questions on nuclear program, arms control chief says," The Los Angeles Times, 23 September 2008.

22 September 2008
Iran will probably be ready for talks on the Additional Protocol, according to Iranian nuclear expert Mahdi Mohammadi, as long as the IAEA Board of Governors treats its case normally and Iran’s right to industrial scale enrichment is fully assured.
—"Expert Calls for Conditional Talks on Additional Protocol," Islamic Republic News Agency, 22 September 2008; "Iran to ratify Additional Protocol if its nuclear case is referred to IAEA – MP," BBC Monitoring Middle East, 23 September 2008.

23 September 2008
Russia announces it will not participate in a meeting to discuss new economic sanctions against Iran. "We do not see any fire that requires us to toss everything aside and meet to discuss Iran’s nuclear program in the middle of a packed week at the United Nations General Assembly," the Russian Foreign Ministry says in a statement. A U.S. State Department official responds, "It is clear right now that while everybody is committed to a two-track policy, at least a couple of members of the P5 + 1, the Russians and the Chinese, are not ready at this point to engage actively on another sanctions resolution." The official adds that China is "ready to engage" in discussions but Russia "does not have the same sense of urgency about the situation."
—"Iran Sanctions Scuttled when Russia Withdraws," Global Security Newswire, 23 September 2008; "Russia won’t Meet with U.S. on Iranian Nuclear Program," The New York Times, 23 September 2008.

24 September 2008
Iran will soon be able to produce enough HEU to manufacture one unsophisticated nuclear device, the EU reports to the IAEA. Iran’s refusal to halt its uranium enrichment program raises concerns "because it brings us closer to the moment where Iran will have fissile materials for a weapon, if it chose to increase their degree of enrichment," says a statement released by France.
—"Iran Approaching Nuke Production Capacity," Global Security Newswire, 25 September 2008; "EU Warns Iran Close to Nuclear Weapons Capacity," The Associated Press, 25 September 2008.

26 September 2008
The UN Security Council reaffirms three earlier rounds of sanctions against Iran. No new sanctions are being imposed, but the resolution declares, "our determination to ensure that the international rules are upheld in this very important area," U.K. Foreign Secretary David Miliband says. Russia’s UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin states "there were some concerns" that the P5+1 are not working together. In order to dispel those concerns "the ministers have decided to introduce this very brief draft resolution which would reaffirm the previous decisions of the Security Council."
—"U.S., Russia Reach Deal on New UN Iran Resolution," The Associated Press, 26 September 2008; "UN set to Reaffirm Iran Sanctions," BBC News, 26 September 2008.

5 October 2008
Iran says that it will not halt enrichment in exchange for a guaranteed supply of nuclear fuel. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says, "Iran's uranium enrichment policy remains unchanged. Enrichment will continue until Iran becomes self-sufficient in fuel production for nuclear plants." Mottaki indicates that Iran is willing to supply other countries with nuclear fuel after it is self-sufficient.
—"Iran: We Won't Halt Enrichment even if Nuclear Fuel Supply Guaranteed," The Associated Press, 5 October 2008; "Iran Refuses to Halt Enrichment for Fuel Guarantees," Global Security Newswire, 6 October 2008.

6 October 2008
Iran sends a letter of protest to EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana over the West's attitude toward its nuclear program. Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Said Jalili believes that the West only resorts to "levers of pressure," rather than answering Iran's questions about possible ambiguities in ongoing nuclear negotiations. According to Jalili's letter, "In the judgment of the world community, this unreasonable behavior is an indication of the lack of a clear response to the principled questions of the Islamic Republic of Iran." Copies of the letter were sent to the foreign ministers of the P5+1, who are working together to formulate a response.
—"Iran Sends Nuclear Protest to EU Foreign Policy Chief," Agence France-Presse, 6 October 2008; "Iran: Six Powers 'Unreasonable' in Nuclear Row, Reuters, 7 October 2008.

9 October 2008
The IAEA is investigating whether a Russian scientist helped Iran conduct nuclear weapons related experiments. The agency obtained a five-page document written in Farsi from undisclosed sources, detailing precision detonator experiments allegedly conducted by Iran with the Russian scientist's help. The Russian scientist appears to have been working for Iran without the sanction of the Russian government. Iranian officials are calling the charges "groundless" and claiming that the experiments were for conventional arms. In response, IAEA Chief Weapons Inspector Olli Heinonen asserts the experiments were "not consistent with any application other than the development of a nuclear weapon."
—Elaine Sciolino, "Nuclear Aid by Russian to Iranians Suspected," The New York Times, 9 October 2008; "Russian Aided Iranian Nuke Research, IAEA Suspects," Global Security Newswire, 10 October 2008.

11 October 2008
The United States and its Western allies discuss imposing new financial sanctions on Iran outside of the UN Security Council. The sanctions would target oil refining products and refined petroleum. According to one Western diplomat, "The idea would be to get together a coalition of the willing ... given the difficulties we would have getting this past Russia and China."
—Daniel Bombay and James Blitz, "Go-it-Alone Plan on Iran Sanctions," The Financial Times, 12 October 2008; "Western Nations Consider Independent Iran Sanctions," Global Security Newswire, 14 October 2008.

14 October 2008
Approximately 700 Iranian nuclear engineers who received their training in Russia are ready to begin work on the Bushehr reactor. Iranian nuclear official Ahmad Fayyazbakhsh says that Bushehr will become operational in March 2009.
—"Iranian Engineers Ready to Work on Nuclear Plant," The Associated Press, 14 October 2008; "Western Nations Consider Independent Iran Sanctions," Global Security Newswire, 14 October 2008.

14 October 2008
Australia imposes unilateral sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend enrichment, placing travel and financial restrictions on twenty individuals and eighteen organizations who contribute to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. However, the government has decided not to take international legal action against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on charges of inciting genocide.
—"Australian Iran Sanctions Target 20 Individuals, 18 Bodies," BBC Monitoring-Asia Pacific, 15 October 2008; "Australia Backs Iran Sanctions," ABC News, 15 October 2008; "Labor Gives in on Court Threat; Government Won't Pursue Ahmadinejad over Israel," The Age, 16 October 2008.

17 October 2008
Russia will ship nearly 1,000 tons of equipment to Iran for construction of the nuclear power plant at Bushehr. Iranian officials expect Bushehr to be commissioned early next year.
—"Iran: Russia to Ship Nuke Plant Supplies," United Press International, 17 October 2008; "Russia Plans Major Supply Shipment to Iran," Global Security Newswire, 20 October 2008.

19 October 2008
According to Mohammad Qods, managing director of Iran's Power Plant Construction Company, some Western countries are interested in cooperating with Iran on the Darkhovin reactor's design and construction. Qods indicates that the design of the 360MW light water reactor will be completed in six years and construction will begin in 2013.
—"Foreign Firms Interested to Build Darkhovin Nuclear Plant: Official," Tehran Times, 20 October 2008.

20 October 2008
Mohamed El-Baradei says that Iran still lacks the key components to produce nuclear weapons. According to El-Baradei, "They do not have even the nuclear material, the raw un-enriched uranium to develop one nuclear weapon if they decide to do so. Even if you decide to walk out tomorrow from the NPT (Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty) and you go into a lot of scenarios, we're still not going to see Iran tomorrow having nuclear weapons."
—"IAEA Chief: Iran not Close to Developing Nuclear Weapons," Haaretz, 21 October 2008; "Iran Far From Nuke Capability, IAEA Chief Says," Global Security Newswire, 21 October 2008.

22 October 2008
The United States Treasury Department freezes all U.S. controlled assets and prohibits U.S. citizens from doing business with the Export Development Bank of Iran. The sanctions also include EDBI Stock Brokerage Co., EDBI Exchange Co. and Caracas-based Banco Internacional de Desarollo. According to Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey, "Iran has adopted a strategy of using less prominent institutions, such as the Export Development Bank of Iran, to handle its illicit transactions."
—"U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Iran Bank," Global Security Newswire, 23 October 2008; "U.S. Targets Iranian Bank with Sanctions," Agence France-Presse, 23 October 2008.

24 October 2008
New U.S. sanctions against Rosoboronexport, Russia's largest state-owned arms manufacturer, will affect talks between the two powers about new sanctions against Iran. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov "if somebody in Washington thinks that in this way the United States will make Russia more accommodating in accepting the U.S. approach to the solution of the Iran nuclear problem, this is a mistake."
—"Russia's Foreign Ministry Slams U.S. Sanctions," Agence France-Presse, 25 October 2008; Chris Kaul and Sergei Loiko, "Russia Angry at Sanctions on Arms Firm," The Los Angeles Times, 25 October 2008.

31 October 2008
A three-page intelligence assessment by an unidentified IAEA member state alleges that Iran has recently tested ways of recovering highly enriched uranium from waste reactor fuel. The report asserts: "Procedures were evaluated for recycling fuel by dissolving fuel rods" which would be taken from the Iranian nuclear reactor and reprocessed into uranium with weapon-usable concentrations. The document also alleges that Iran's Atomic Energy Organization is in the final stages of producing a report for the Iranian leadership to consider whether or not to approve the project. The fuel would be taken from Tehran's TNRC research reactor, which is unlikely to yield enough fissile material for a nuclear warhead.
—George Jahn, "Intel says Iran Plans Secret Nuclear Experiments," The Associated Press, 30 October 2008; "Iran Mulling Fuel Reprocessing Study, Report says," Global Security Newswire, 31 October 2008.

6 November 2008
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sends a congratulatory letter to President-elect Barack Obama, urging him to base his administration's foreign policy on a "lack of intervention in the affairs of others." Ahmadinejad is being criticized for his overture by Iranian conservatives and praised by reformists.
—"Ahmadinejad Applauds Obama, Calls for Policy Shifts," Global Security Newswire, 6 November 2008; Nazila Fathi, "Ahmadinejad's Letter to Obama Sparks Storm in Iran," The International Herald Tribune, 10 November 2008.

The United States Treasury Department announces that it is revoking Iran's "U-Turn" license, which has allowed transfer of Iranian money through U.S. banks. Prior to this action, U.S. financial institutions were permitted to process certain money transfers from non-Iranian and U.S offshore banks. Stuart Levey, the Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence says, "Given Iran's conduct, it is necessary to close even this indirect access."
—Jeanine Aversa, "U.S. Clamps Down on Iran," The Associated Press, 6 November 2008; "U.S. Tightens Screws on Iran's Banks," Agence France-Presse, 6 November 2008.

7 November 2008
President-elect Barack Obama says that any Iranian effort to build a nuclear bomb is "unacceptable." Former Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani denounces Obama's statement saying, "This signifies a pursuit of the same erroneous policy as in the past."
—"Iran's Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons 'Unacceptable': Obama," Agence France-Presse, 8 November 2008; "Iranian Nuclear Weapon 'Unacceptable,' Obama Says," Global Security Newswire, 10 November 2008.

11 November 2008
Mohamed El-Baradei says that President-elect Barack Obama's willingness to hold direct talks with Iran may encourage it to be more cooperative with the IAEA. "If there is a direct dialogue between the United States and Iran, I think Iran will be more forthcoming with the agency," El-Baradei says.
—"Obama Openness May Help IAEA with Iran: El-Baradei," Reuters, 11 November 2008; "Obama Could Aid Nuclear Probe: El-Baradei," Global Security Newswire, 12 November 2008.

13 November 2008
Senior officials from the P5 +1 meet in France to discuss Iran's nuclear program. There is no sign of a diplomatic breakthrough. A senior French official says that France does not expect any significant moves until President Bush leaves office.
—"World Powers Discuss Iran, no Breakthrough Seen," Reuters, 13 November 2008; "EU's Solana Says New Contacts with Iran Possible," The Washington Post, 14 November 2008.

14 November 2008
Russia says that it opposes any new sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran to halt its atomic work. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov, "The Western countries are for the sanctions. China like Russia did not back it."
—"Russia Minister Says Moscow against new Iran Sanctions," Agence France-Presse, 14 November 2008; "Russia Opposes New Iran Sanctions," Global Security Newswire, 17 November 2008.

18 November 2008
Mohsen Delaviz, the spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), announces that preparations for the Bushehr nuclear power plant inauguration have started. According to Delaviz, "The preliminary stages of the inauguration of Bushehr nuclear plant are being carried out and we hope that the power plant will be inaugurated in 2009, in accordance with the agreements reached with the Russian side."
—"Iran Says Preparations for Bushehr Nuclear Plant Inauguration Started," Islamic Republic News Agency, 18 November 2008.

19 November 2008
Iran has manufactured 630 kg of LEU and is assembling significantly more centrifuge cascades. In addition, Iran is testing a small number of more advanced IR-2 and IR-3 centrifuges at the PFEP and feeding them with UF6. IAEA environmental sampling indicates that the FEP and the PFEP are operating as declared and only enriching U-235 to five percent. Iran is still refusing to address the Agency's concerns over alleged weaponization experiments. According to the IAEA report, "regrettably, as a result of the lack of cooperation by Iran in connection with the alleged studies and other associated key remaining issues of serious concern, the agency has not been able to make substantial progress on these issues."
—Daniel Dombey and James Blitz, "Iran Increases Stockpile of Uranium," The Financial Times, 19 November 2008; "Iran Makes Nuclear Headway, IAEA Says," Global Security Newswire, 19 November 2008; "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and Relevant Provisions of the Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran," International Atomic Energy Agency, 19 November 2008.

20 November 2008
The New York Times reports that Iran has produced roughly enough LEU that if further enriched, could be used to make a single nuclear device. This estimate is based on the latest IAEA report indicating that Iran has manufactured 630 kg of LEU. Experts caution that the milestone is mostly symbolic, because Iran would have to further enrich the LEU for use in a nuclear bomb. According to Richard L. Garwin, a top nuclear physicist who helped invent the hydrogen bomb, "they [Iran] know how to do the enrichment. Whether they know how to design a bomb, well that is another matter." "They have a weapon's worth," Thomas Cochran, a senior scientist in the nuclear program of the National Resources Defense Council, says in an interview with the New York Times. He adds that if Iran were to further enrich its stockpiled LEU the amount would be suitable for an implosion-type device.
—William J. Broad and David E. Sanger, "Iran said to Have Nuclear Fuel for One Weapon," The New York Times, 20 November 2008; "Iran Has Enough for A-Bomb: Agency," The West Australian, 21 November 2008.

21 November 2008
Iran rejects a New York Times report that it has enriched enough uranium to manufacture a nuclear bomb. Iran says that this would require taking additional steps like ejecting IAEA inspectors and withdrawing from the NPT. Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh says, "This information has no technical basis and gives wrong and misleading information to the public." Iran's envoy to the IAEA indicates that in order for Iran to militarize its enrichment capabilities it would require substantial centrifuge modification that inspectors would undoubtedly notice.
—"Iran Rejects U.S. Reports it has Basis for Atom Bomb," Reuters, 21 November 2008.

	Updated December 2008