UANI

AP reported from the IAEA that "Iran has recently tested ways of recovering highly enriched uranium from waste reactor fuel in a covert bid to expand its nuclear program." "The intelligence, provided by a member of the 145-nation International Atomic Energy Agency, also says a report will soon be submitted to the Iranian leadership for a decision on whether to go ahead with the project." Read More

AP wrote that Iran now faces a "severe economic crisis" that will greatly affect the next election. "Iran plunged this week into a bitter storm of political recrimination, largely directed at President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as officials and ordinary Iranians realized with shock that the Islamic republic faces a severe economic crisis of its own." Read More

Iranian press reported that Iran is seeking banking ties with China's Shanghai Cooperation Organization. "Iran proposed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to include Tehran as a member of the SCO Banking Consortium to lower trade costs. 'Iran's presence in the members' banking consortium can reduce the costs of economic ties and increase the volume of trade,' Iran's First Vice President Parviz Davoudi was quoted". Read More

The New York Times reported on Iran's energy predicament. "When oil was strong, Venezuela, Russia, Iran and others ramped up their budget spending. As oil prices slide, their budgets risk fall into deficit. Some are already there. Iran, according to Deutsche Bank, needs some $95 a barrel to balance its budget." Read More

CFR interviewed Kaveh L. Afrasiabi, Former Adviser to Iran's Nuclear Negotiating Team, about the reported U.S. border strike in Syria. "Kaveh L. Afrasiabi... says Iran sees the reported U.S. cross-border incursion from Iraq into Syria as further reason for the pending U.S.-Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement to expressly forbid the United States from using Iraqi territory to attack another country. Currently, the draft only prohibits 'offensive' operations.  Afrasiabi says: 'I think that while there has been concern in Iran that this might be an indirect jab or a warning shot on a nuclear Tehran, the U.S.'s incursion in Syria, a major ally of Iran, is also a cause of concern for Iran because for one thing, the United States is now appearing to Iran more rogue or arrogant in the region.'" Read More