News from Iran

'The choice is not enrichment or not, it is enrichment or weapons'

Iran has more sinister sites than Bushehr, writes Julian Rush in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph.

He continues:

"Natanz, where the country has controversially resumed uranium enrichment, is surrounded by anti-aircraft batteries and watchtowers. Large piles of excavated earth hint at massive construction works to accommodate the vast chain of centrifuges needed to make enough enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon.

"Whatever goes on here is apparently happening deep within the mountainside."

Read on...

This is where nuclear enrichment is underway

Jon Snow: This is one of those days where maybe you can give more of an impression in the Snowmail than you can elsewhere.

The journey from Qom to Isfahan is, to all intents and purposes, flat on a superhighway upon which there is almost no traffic.

Out on your right hand side there are the most spectacular volcanic formations that rise at times to a considerable mountain range capped with snow. Minding our business as we do, we almost missed the signs to Natanz, an uninviting settlement about 50 miles short of Isfahan.

Before you reach it on the right you suddenly see tell-tell low-lying buildings - cream in colour, rather strangely. This is where nuclear enrichment is underway.

Iran's leader defiant

Iran's President accuses the west of speaking with forked tongues and bullying over the nuclear crisis.

In Tehran today, the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been giving a defiant speech to supporters. He warned if anyone tried to violate his country's rights then Iran would "leave the blot of shame of regret on their forehead".

Fiery talk indeed. Our international editor Lindsey Hilsum is in Tehran.

Watch the report here

This blog is part of News from Iran week from Channel 4 News.

Calls for calm

The head of the IAEA appeals for Iran and the US to cool down the rhetoric over the nuclear row.

Tonight the threats are flying thick and fast between Iran and the US. Mohammed el-Baradei told diplomats in Vienna that we need a cool headed approach.

This after Iran warned America it was capable of inflicting 'pain and harm' if the UN security council took action over its nuclear activities - a statement the White House rejected as 'provocative'.

But with no last minute deal at the end of the International Atomic Energy agency talks in Vienna, the security council could debate Iran as soon as Monday. From Vienna - our correspondent Tom Clarke.

Watch the report here

This blog is part of News from Iran week from Channel 4 News.

Bluffer's guide to uranium enrichment

Julian Rush: Sometimes I feel I ought to buy a corduroy jacket, with leather patches on the sleeves, grow a beard and some shaggy hair (some chance! Ed) and wave my arms around on Open University TV programmes.

That, or get an anorak.

It’s the price for all those hours poring over detailed IAEA technical reports and the voluminous outpourings of numerous think-tanks who all have their own particular take on the Iran Nuclear Crisis. But at least when Jon Snow gets his centrifuges mixed up with his uranium conversion facilities, I can put him straight.

In the next few days the airwaves will be buzzing with phrases like enrichment, yellowcake, weapons-grade uranium.

What does it all mean? Read my Bluffer's guide to uranium enrichment and all will be revealed. Patches at the ready...

Also worth seeing: Nuclear Q&A and Inside Iran's nuclear reactor.

This blog is part of News from Iran week from Channel 4 News.

Inside Iran's nuclear reactor

Science correspondent Julian Rush goes inside Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor to see how scientists there view the row raging above their heads.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes: that one day the oil and gas will run out and they must plan for the future.

But there are also factions within the ruling political and religious elites that see nuclear as a way of boosting Iran as a regional power, a region where they're always quick here to point out - where Israel already possesses nuclear weapons.

Watch the report here

This blog is part of News from Iran week from Channel 4 News.

Does Iran want to build a nuclear bomb?

Jon Snow: The question millions of people around the world want to put is this, does Iran want to build a nuclear bomb?

Ali Larijani [Iran's nuclear negotiator]: The national security of Iran has no place for an atomic bomb. We don't need such a thought. And we have announced as much time and again.

Hear this and more in the Channel 4 News interview with Ali Larijani from the heart of Tehran.

Watch the interview here

This blog is part of News from Iran week from Channel 4 News.

'A killing field for any enemy aggressor'

Jon Snow: The war of words between America and  Iran is in full flow, following US Ambassador to the UN Jon Boltons' declaration that the consequences for Iran of continuing with their nuclear programme would be 'painful' and that Americawould use every tool to force Iran's hand.

Tonight, Iran's deputy army commander has warned that if America attacks in any form Iran will "use its experience of war to turn this land into a killing field for any enemy aggressor".

Now, let us just hose ourselves down for a moment.

Can a deal be done?

A deal over Iran's nuclear programme is possible, according to the UN's chief nuclear watchdog.

As diplomats meet in Vienna to discuss the crisis - Mohammed el-Baradei said there'd been a flurry of negotiations over Tehran's plans to produce enriched uranium. Russia's trying to agree a compromise to stop Iran being referred to the UN security council.

At the start of Channel 4 News's special week of Iran coverage, Jonna Simpson reports on the frantic efforts to resolve this nuclear standoff and our International editor Lindsey Hilsum has the latest reaction from Tehran.

Watch the report here

This report is part of News from Iran week from Channel 4 News.

Collision course with the West?

Attempts at the weekend to avert a crisis ahead of Monday's meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency have come to nothing.

As diplomats meet in Vienna, a referral to the UN security council the likely outcome. All this week Channel 4 News comes live from a country seemingly on a collision course with the West.

Sandwiched between Afghanistan and Iraq with nuclear Pakistan and Israel beyond, its alleged aspiration for an atomic bomb has huge implications for a region where the West has invested unparalleled political, economic and military capital.

And as the world's second highest oil producer, sanctions or any military action will impact across the world.

As enrichment continues apace South East of here at the Natance nuclear facility, Our international editor Lindsey Hilsum joined pro-nuclear protestors today at the burial place of the father of the Iranian revolution Ayatollah Kohmenei.

The President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was supposed to be there too, but failed to make an appearance.

Watch the report here.

This blog is part of News from Iran week from Channel 4 News.