Iran signs nuclear fuel deal with Turkey

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Years of diplomatic deadlock over Iran’s nuclear program may have reached a breakthrough. Iran says it will ship low-enriched uranium to Turkey. In return, higher-enriched uranium will be sent back to Iran. The proposal is being met with applause and skepticism. The World’s Jason Margolis will have more in today’s show. Download MP3

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• Ahmadinejad speaks at UN nuclear conference
• Iran and the nuclear issue

Iran’s nuclear conference

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Leaders from more than 40 countries are gathering in Washington for a summit called by President Barack Obama to look at measures to improve nuclear security. It is a major plank of Mr Obama’s nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation agenda. Neither North Korea nor Iran, two states with disputed nuclear ambitions, have been invited to the summit. In fact, Iran is hosting its own nuclear conference this week. Jim Walsh is an expert in international security and a Research Associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Security Studies Program. Download MP3

• BBC coverage of nuclear security summit in DC
• Matthew Bell previews the DC summit
• Nuclear Summit homepage
• Iran and the nuclear issue

New pressure on Iran over nuclear program

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President Barack Obama has vowed to “ratchet up the pressure” on Iran over its controversial nuclear program. Amid talk of new sanctions, Mr Obama telephoned Chinese President Hu Jintao to seek Beijing’s co-operation. Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. The World’s Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3

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How to deal with Iran’s nuclear ambitions

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Vice-President Joe Biden is in Israel today where he reiterated that the US is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. But some analysts say the US would do better to cool its rhetoric and prepare to live with Iran as a nuclear power. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports. Download MP3

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• Francis J. Gavin: “Same As It Ever Was”

Confronting Iran over its nuclear program

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President Barack Obama says the US and its allies are developing a “significant regime of sanctions” against Iran for its nuclear program. Speaking in Washington on Tuesday, Mr Obama said said despite Tehran’s denials, it was clear Iran was working to build nuclear weapons. The President’s remarks came after Iranian state media reported that Iran had started the process of enriching uranium to 20% for use in a medical research reactor. Marco Werman talks with David Sanger, author of The Inheritance about the Iran challenge. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• On The World: US missiles and Iran
• Background Brief: Nuclear Standoff with Iran
• The Inheritance: book info
• Iran’s Two-Edged Bomb by Adam Lowther

Nuclear Standoff with Iran

President Barack Obama has said the US and its allies are developing a “significant regime of sanctions” against Iran for its nuclear program. He said the international community was unified over Iran’s “misbehavior”. Speaking in Washington, he said despite Tehran’s denials, it was clear Iran was working to build nuclear weapons. His remarks came after Iranian state media reported that Iran had started the process of enriching uranium to 20% for use in a medical research reactor.

Iran launches research rocket

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Iran announced today that it has launched a research rocket into space. What makes this launch unusual is the passenger list. The rocket is carrying a mouse, two turtles, and about a dozen worms. The announcement of the Iranian launch came two days after President Obama made clear his intention to scrap NASA’s back-to-the-moon program. John Pike is Director of GlobalSecurity.org. That’s a defense information website based in Alexandria, Virginia.

US missiles and Iran

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The Pentagon says it’s expanding land and sea-based missile defense systems in and around the Persian Gulf. The moves are intended to counter what the US considers a growing missile threat from Iran. The buildup comes as President Obama is pushing for a new round of sanctions against the Iranians over their nuclear program. The World’s Matthew Bell reports that the military expansion seems to be part of an evolving policy toward Iran.

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• BBC coverage
• Defense Department’s Quadrennial Defense Review 2010
• Background Brief: Nuclear Standoff with Iran

Dealing with Iran

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President Obama has put Iran on notice: start meeting demands on nuclear activites by 2010 or face the possiblity of crippling sanctions. The World’s Matthew Bell looks into US options now that the deadline is passed. Download MP3 (HO/AFP/Getty photo shows President Ahmadinejad at Natanz enrichment facility) Images

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More nuclear worries about Iran

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Iran announced today that it had successfully tested a long-range missile capable of hitting Israel and US targets in the Gulf. The news comes days after new documents published by The Times of London suggesting that Iran was close to completing an atom bomb. The Times’ Catherine Philp who uncovered the documents talks with host Marco Werman. Download MP3

• Catherine Philp’s article in The Times of London
• Iran denies Times newspaper ‘nuclear trigger’ report
• Background Brief: Nuclear standoff with Iran

Iran rebuked over nuclear ‘cover-up’

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The United Nations nuclear agency, the IAEA, voted today to censure Iran over its nuclear progam. The IAEA condemned Iran for developing a secret uranium enrichment site at Qom (satellite photo). 25 nations – including the US, Russia and China – backed the move. The World’s Katy Clark has our story. Download MP3

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Iran nuclear talks

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World powers have begun talks on Iran’s controversial nuclear program, days after it was accused of secretly building a second uranium enrichment plant. Iranian representatives are meeting the five permanent Security Council seat holders – the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia – plus Germany, in Geneva. We explore what Iranians expect from the negotiations. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• FAQ: Iran’s nuclear activities
• Background Brief: Nuclear Standoff with Iran

China urges caution over North Korean freighter

The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing on talks between the militaries of China and the U.S. on everything from North Korea’s nuclear program to tensions in the South China Sea. Listen