Ahmadinejad says that questions regarding stopping his country’s nuclear programme were now “irrelevant”; US seizes properties and assets of entities accused of funding Iran’s nuclear programme;
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    • President Ahmadinejad stated that his country would defend its nuclear facilities, while promising cooperation on tackling the nuclear issue. He added that questions regarding stopping his country’s nuclear programme were now “irrelevant.”1

    US officials meanwhile began legal proceedings against properties and assets of organisations allegedly accused of funding Iran's nuclear weapons programme. Assets worth over $500 million of the Alavi Foundation were being seized, in one of the biggest counter-terrorism seizures in US history. The actions came even as President Obama renewed for another year longstanding US economic sanctions against Iran.2

    US and Russia have also warned Iran to cooperate with other interlocutors in dealing with its nuclear programme. President Obama in Singapore after meeting Mr. Medvedev stated that Iran had failed "so far at least" to respond positively to the October uranium enrichment deal, which according to him was “a creative and constructive approach ….” President Medvedev stated that he was unhappy with the pace of the talks, added that "other means" could also be used.3

    In other developments, Iran’s envoy to India, Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh stated that the November 16-17 visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki will help consolidate relations between the two states and help draw a road map for the next four years. Cooperation in the energy sector, railway projects in Iran, among other issues are expected to be discussed. Mottaki is visiting at the invitation of his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna.4

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