Iran Urges IAEA 'Not to Yield to Israel's Pressure’

The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at the IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria May 24, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at the IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria May 24, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
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Iran Urges IAEA 'Not to Yield to Israel's Pressure’

The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at the IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria May 24, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at the IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria May 24, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

Iran is ready to continue its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday, calling on the agency "not to yield to Israel's pressure" over Tehran's nuclear activities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors meet on Monday, three months after adopting a resolution urging Iran to give credible answers to the agency's investigations into uranium traces at three sites in Iran.

On Saturday, Britain, France and Germany said they had "serious doubts" about Iran's intentions after it tried to link a revival of the 2015 nuclear deal with a closure of the UN watchdog's probes into the uranium traces.

Iran, which denies seeking nuclear arms, has since the US walkout itself breached the deal with ramped-up uranium enrichment, a process that can create bomb fuel down the line.

Israel is not a party to the Vienna talks to revive the nuclear deal. But its worries about Iran and threats to take military action against its arch-foe if it deems diplomacy a dead end keep Western capitals attentive.



Russia Begins Mass Production of Radiation-Resistant Mobile Bomb Shelters

People wait at a bus stop with electronic screen showing an advertisement image depicting Russian soldier and the slogan "Be strong, faithful, courageous" in front of towers of business center Moscow-City in Moscow, Russia, 14 November 2024. (EPA)
People wait at a bus stop with electronic screen showing an advertisement image depicting Russian soldier and the slogan "Be strong, faithful, courageous" in front of towers of business center Moscow-City in Moscow, Russia, 14 November 2024. (EPA)
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Russia Begins Mass Production of Radiation-Resistant Mobile Bomb Shelters

People wait at a bus stop with electronic screen showing an advertisement image depicting Russian soldier and the slogan "Be strong, faithful, courageous" in front of towers of business center Moscow-City in Moscow, Russia, 14 November 2024. (EPA)
People wait at a bus stop with electronic screen showing an advertisement image depicting Russian soldier and the slogan "Be strong, faithful, courageous" in front of towers of business center Moscow-City in Moscow, Russia, 14 November 2024. (EPA)

Russia has begun mass production of mobile bomb shelters that can protect against a variety of man-made threats and natural disasters including radiation and shockwaves, the emergency ministry's research institute said.

The "KUB-M" shelter looks like a reinforced shipping container. It can give some protection against radiation, shrapnel, debris and fires and can be deployed in Russia's vast northern permafrost, according to the state institute.

The standard unit accommodates 54 people but additional modules can be added, the institute said.

The war in Ukraine is entering what some officials say could be its final - most dangerous - phase as Moscow's forces advance at their fastest pace since the early weeks of the conflict in 2022 and the West seeks to shore up Ukraine.

The institute did not link the move to any current crisis, though the announcement came just as the administration of US President Joe Biden agreed to allow Ukraine to fire American long-range missiles deep into Russia.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia would respond to what it called a reckless decision by Biden's administration and cautioned that the move would draw the United States directly into the conflict.