iran

Iran on 3 July 2012, test-fired a medium range ballistic missile Shahab-3. The Shahab-3 has a range of up to 2000 kilometres. The Shahab-1 and Shahab-2, the two short-range missiles, with ranges of 300 to 500 kilometres, were also launched.

The missile launch was the part of Iran’s Great Prophet 7 exercise. Great Prophet 7 exercise was announced by Iran on 1 July 2012 in the wake of latest European Union sanctions on Iran. The exercise, which involved test of dozens of missiles and domestically-built drones came following European Union’s decision to ban the purchase of Iranian crude oil. The EU's decision is the clear repurcussion of failed dialogue held between Iran and world powers on Iran’s ambitious nuclear programme.

The world powers including United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, the Western powers had held three round of dialogues with Iran to persuade it to halt its nuclear programme. With all the three dialogues did not meet their desired end, the world powers including the European Union chose to impose a strict ban against the purchase of Iranian crude oil.

Iran is the fifth largest oil producer in the world and the EU ban on Iranian oil imports will badly hurt its already floundering economy. The sanctions, which have been imposed to make Iran reconsider its nuclear development plan, will not only deprive Iran of European market that makes 18 percent of its exports but also bar EU companies from transporting Iranian crude or insuring shipments, hurting its trade worldwide.

World powers agree to restart talks with Iran over nuclear program
UK, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US have settled to revive talks with Iran over its divisive nuclear program.
The time and venue of these talks are to be fixed. The offer came despite Iran’s recent refusal to

allow international inspectors to probe alleged nuclear weapons projects. EU Foreign Policy Chief Ashton, who has
previously negotiated with Iran on behalf of the P5+ Germany expressed optimism that renewed talks could resolve
the impasse and he also held that the onus is now on Iran to come clean on the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.
Western nations ear that Iran is trying to acquire nuclear weapons capability; while Iran denies the allegations holding
that its program is for peaceful civilian purposes.






US approves fresh sanctions on Iran oil buyers
Fresh sanctions were approved by US on buyers of Iranian oil. US held that there was ample oil in the world market to
avoid negative consequences of a boycott of Iranian oil for US allies.
Objective: This move by US would permit US to inflict sanctions on foreign banks, which are yet
involved in the oil trade with Iran.
Iran says that its nuclear program is meant for peaceful purposes, but the western nations fear it is
trying to build a nuclear bomb. US held that it would continue to monitor the global market closely to ensure it could
handle a reduction of oil purchases from Iran.
Thus, US will penalize foreign financial institutions over transactions with Iran’s central bank, which handles sales of
the country’s key export.







Internet Oversight Agency set up by Iran
The setting up of an Internet oversight ordered in Iran by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Internet Oversight agency includes powerful figures in the security establishment such as the
Intelligence Minister and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard.
The step is being seen as an attempt to control the web and follows a series of high-profile crackdowns
on cyberspace. This has been termed by Iran as a“soft war” against the West and allies. Iran has set up special teams
for the same.
In 2010 a Computer virus “Stuxnet” was discovered which targeted Iran’s uranium enrichment equipment, Iran
blamed Israel for the virus developing and spreading the computer virus. Due to Stuxnet 60% of the infected
computers worldwide were in Iran.












the following countries has recently unveiled
upgraded Fateh missile----Iran








More US sanctions on Iran
US imposed more sanctions on Iran to weaken its oil export dependent economy. It imposed Comprehensive Iran
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA) and put penalizing action against those who
continued to maintain ties with Iran.
Due to sanctions, Bank of Kunlun in China and Elaf Islamic Bank in Iraq were punished for aiding Iran in making
transactions worth millions of dollars.
What is the aim of fresh sanctions?
 The central aim is to prohibit Iran from establishing payment mechanisms for the trade of its oil by evading
existing sanctions.
 Earlier, India, China and a few other countries had opposed US’ order to slash their oil imports from Iran.






US Sanctions on Banks engaged in Iranian oil transactions
United States announced new sanctions against foreign banks that assist Iran sell its oil. The fresh sanctions will target
anyone buying Iranian petrochemicals or facilitating payments to Iran, including an Iraqi or Chinese Bank. This has
been done to further increase the pressure on Iran.
After the move, China, a huge importer of Iranian oil, decided to lodge an official protest. The new order provides relief
to countries that have slashed the purchases of Iranian oil considerably. Iran earns 80 % of its total revenue from Oil
and Petrochemical industry.








Iran producing Enriched Uranium at Fordo: IAEA
 International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA says that Iran is enriching uranium to 20 percent at Fordo, a nuclear
facility 160 kilometers south-west of Tehran.
 Uranium enrichment to the level of 20 percent means it can be upgraded more quickly for use in nuclear
weapons than the Iran’s main enriched stockpile at Natanz plants.









Iran test fires missile
 Iran has successfully test fired a medium-range surface-to-air missile during navy war games taking place near
the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This medium-range surface-to-air missile is equipped with the latest technology to
combat radar-evading targets and intelligent systems which try to disrupt missile navigation.
 This was for the first time that Iran had tested the missile. The missile was domestically designed and built. The
missile’s launch and the war games are meant to show Iran’s military capabilities at a time that the United States
and other Western nations are increasing pressure over Tehran’s nuclear programme.



Iran Parliament debates on banning oil sales to Europe
 Iranian parliament debates a draft bill requiring the government to immediately halt crude oil sales to Europe.
The European Union had imposed an oil embargo against Iran and froze the assets of its central bank.
 Many Iranian lawmakers and officials have called for an immediate ban on oil exports to the EU before the ban
fully goes into effect in July. They say the 27 EU nations account for only about 18 percent of Iran’s overall oil
sales and they would be hurt more by the decision than Iran.
 If parliament passes the bill to halt oil sales to Europe, the legislation must still be approved by the Guardian
Council to become law.