Iran

17 November 2009 IAEA Report Shows Iranian Nuclear Activities Have Expanded   An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran’s nuclear activities underscores the country’s continued refusal to comply fully with its international nuclear obligations, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly says, and he expressed doubts that Iran will formally respond to the agency’s offer to allow it to enrich its uranium in another country to provide fuel for a medical-research reactor.

16 November 2009 Experts See Sustained Human Rights Movement Emerging in Iran  To overcome a legacy of suspicion and mistrust, the United States should inaugurate a process of long-term, patient engagement with Iran on a wide range of issues — including its nuclear and human rights policies — according to a distinguished panel of scholars and diplomats appearing on Capitol Hill November 4. The conference, sponsored by the Iranian American National Council, took place on the 30th anniversary of the seizure of American hostages at the U.S. embassy in Tehran.

10 November 2009 Iran’s Acceptance of Enrichment Deal Would Build World Confidence   The Obama administration continues to expect a favorable response from Iran to a proposed deal that would allow Iran to obtain nuclear fuel for medical isotopes, but Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton noted that internal debate within the Iranian government may account for its failure thus far to respond to the international offer.

23 October 2009 Iran Delays Answer on Draft Enrichment Proposal  The United States, France and Russia have given the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a “positive response” to a draft proposal to supply Iran with nuclear fuel for a medical research reactor, but Iran has asked for a few more days to consider the arrangement.

16 October 2009 Clinton Optimistic About Russian Support on Iran, Missile Defense  On October 13, during a trip to Russia, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave an extensive interview with the ABC News program Nightline. The interview covered a whole range of international issues, as well as Clinton’s working relationship with President Obama and her own political career. The following are excerpts in which Clinton talks about U.S. relations with Russia, cooperation on Iran, and anti-missile defense systems.

13 October 2009 Clinton, Lavrov: No Iran Sanctions Yet  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says it is not yet time for additional sanctions against Iran, and she praised Russia for its cooperation on the issue. Clinton spoke to reporters in Moscow on October 13 after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

06 October 2009 Minimizing Potential Threats from Iran: Administration Perspectives on Economic Sanctions and Other U.S. Policy Options   Statement by Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

01 October 2009 Obama Says Iran Talks "Constructive" but Need Follow-Up Action  President Obama says the first day of talks between Iran and representatives from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany (collectively known as the P5+1) were a "constructive beginning," but Iran's government needs to follow up pledges of cooperation with "constructive action."

30 September 2009 Ahead of Geneva Meeting, U.S. Says Burden of Proof Is on Iran  When diplomats gather in Geneva on October 1 for meetings with Iranian representatives, they will be asking Iran for proof that the many statements it has made that describe its nuclear activities as being for purely peaceful purposes are accurate. In an interview with CBS television Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "The Iranians keep insisting, 'No, no, this is just for peaceful purposes.'"What this meeting on October 1st is to test is 'Fine. Prove it. Don't assert it, prove it.' And we are looking to see what they have to say," she said.
 • Background Briefing by Senior U.S. Officials on P5+1 Talks

28 September 2009 Iran's Obligations Under Nonproliferation Treaty  [From the State Department daily press briefing]. Assistant Secretary Crowley "Iran has obligations under the Nonproliferation Treaty. It has failed to answer the questions that have been presented in a variety of fora, including at the IAEA. So...the key here is not the incentives that we would provide to Iran; the key is that Iran has to come forward, answer the questions, and address the concerns of the international community."

25 September 2009 Statements By President Obama, French President Sarkozy, And British Prime Minister Brown On Iranian Nuclear Facility

24 September 2009 Group Hopes Meeting with Iran Will Clarify Nuclear Intentions  The six nations engaged with Iran over its nuclear program expressed their shared concerns about Iranian nuclear activities as well as their expectation that Iran will be prepared to have “serious and substantive discussions” when all the parties meet in Geneva October 1.

15 September 2009 Iranian Negotiator Agrees to October 1 Talks with Six Powers  Iran can abandon its nuclear weapons development program and join the international community, or it can face increased international isolation, said a State Department official. .... A spokeswoman for European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana confirmed to news agencies that he had spoken with Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and they agreed to a meeting on October 1.

14 September 2009 P5+1 Talks With Iran Being Planned for October 1st  "... We plan to address this issue of their not living up to their obligations head on. We – this is going to be front and center in our talks with them on October 1st. And we are not planning to start a whole new process here. This is just going to – we’re going to sit down and have the opportunity to explain to them directly what their choice is."

10 September 2009 U.S. Raises New Concerns about Iran’s Bomb-Making Program  Iran now may have enough enriched nuclear fuel to make a nuclear bomb, a senior U.S. diplomat said September 9 before the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. "We have serious concerns that Iran is deliberately attempting, at a minimum, to preserve a nuclear weapons option," U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies said. "This ongoing enrichment activity … moves Iran closer to a dangerous and destabilizing possible breakout capacity."

29 June 2009 Secretary Clinton On Iran during Remarks at Daily Press Briefing

26 June 2009 Obama Praises Demonstrators' "Enduring Pursuit of Justice"  President Obama says the bravery of Iranian demonstrators as they face brutality from their government is "a testament to their enduring pursuit of justice," and he said if the Iranian government wants respect from the international community, it must respect the rights of its people.

23 June 2009 U.S. Appalled and Outraged by Violence Against Iranian Protesters   President Obama says Iranian government actions against peaceful demonstrators since the country’s June 12 presidential election have been “unjust,” and images of silent demonstrations and the risks being taken by Iranian protesters show a “timeless dignity.” Speaking in a press conference at the White House June 23, Obama said the United States and the international community have been “appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings and imprisonments of the last few days.”
 • The President's Opening Remarks on Iran at Press Conference

23 June 2009 Gulf Nations Support of Iraq Contains Iran   Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged Persian Gulf countries to work together and with the United States on securing Iraq and containing Iranian ambitions.

22 June 2009 Obama Says Iranians Taking Risks to Have Their Voices Be Heard   President Obama says the world is watching the Iranian government’s response to peaceful demonstrations, and its response will send the international community “a pretty clear signal … about what Iran is and is not.”

19 June 2009 Iranian Demonstrations “Extraordinary,” White House Says  White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said ongoing demonstrations in protest of the official results of Iran’s June 12 presidential election show a “ferment of productive change” happening by Iranians inside Iran.  • President Obama's Statement on Iran

18 June 2009 Obama’s Interview with CNBC’s John Harwood on Iran (Excerpt)   President Obama answers a question on Iranian election.

15 June 2009 Iran Must Respect the Right of Its People to Peaceful Expression  The Obama administration is "deeply troubled" by news reports from Iran of violence and possible voting irregularities in the aftermath of the June 12 presidential election. The State Department says it is still assessing whether irregularities occurred, but spokesman Ian Kelly acknowledged that U.S. officials have doubts about the results.

27 May 2009 Secretary Clinton Remarks With Roxana Saberi Before Their Meeting

11 May 2009 U.S. Heartened by Saberi's Release from Iranian Prison  The United States is heartened by the release of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi from Tehran’s Evin prison after an Iranian appeals court cut her eight-year prison term to a two-year suspended sentence, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said.

08 May 2009 Update on Arrest, Conviction of Silva Harotonian  United States urges Iran’s leadership to grant her release.

18 April 2009 Clinton's Remarks on Sentencing of Roxana Saberi in Iran  U.S. will continue to vigorously raise concerns to Iranian government.

20 March 2009 Obama Calls for New Beginning in U.S.-Iranian Relations  In a special video message to the people of Iran, President Obama called for a "new day" in relations between Washington and Tehran and a future rooted in honest engagement and mutual respect.

05 March 2009 Six Powers Seek Diplomatic Solution to Iran Nuclear Dispute  Top diplomats pledged renewed unity in efforts to convince Iran to freeze its uranium enrichment program and other sensitive nuclear activities and join the United States for international talks.
 • Statement of "P5+1" Group on Iran's Nuclear Program

20 February 2009 Report Says Iran Has Enough Uranium to Make a Nuclear Bomb  The U.S. finds an international nuclear inspection report that shows Iran has enough weapons-grade uranium on hand to make a nuclear bomb "deeply troubling," State Department deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid says.
 • Taken Question on IAEA Director General's Report on Iran

10 February 2009 Obama Says U.S. Talks with Iran Must Be Built on Mutual Respect  Future relations between the United States and Iran will depend significantly on the willingness of Iranian officials to set aside years of mistrust for cooperation, President Obama says. "Iran is a country that has extraordinary people, extraordinary history and traditions, but…its actions over many years now have been unhelpful when it comes to promoting peace and prosperity both in the region and around the world," Obama in a nationally televised press conference.

04 February 2009 Nations Pledge Unity in Containing Iran's Nuclear Challenge  Top diplomats pledged continued unity in efforts to convince Iran to suspend its nuclear program and welcomed President Obama's willingness to engage with Tehran. In a joint statement following their meeting in Wiesbaden, Germany, representatives of U.N. Security Council permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK and the U.S., who along with Germany are known collectively as the P5+1, underlined their "common commitment to a diplomatic solution" to Iran’s nuclear challenge.

January 2009

28 January 2009 Analysis: Will Iran Accept America’s “Open Hand”?  President Obama wants to bring change to nearly 30 years of strained ties between Iran and the United States.“If countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us,” Obama said in a January 27 interview with the Saudi satellite channel al-Arabiya.

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