Vigorous Verification in Iran
Mark Hibbs
The nuclear deal forged with Iran traded Tehran’s nuclear restraint and transparency for nuclear sanctions relief provided by the other six parties to the agreement. If everything goes according to plan, Iran in 2025 will be free from most obligations that exceed routine International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Because the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) gives Iran a prospect to reestablish its nuclear program on an equal basis with the rest of the world, the chances are reasonable that Tehran will comply with it. At the end of the process, an Iran no longer sanctioned for nuclear transgressions may elect to resume or accelerate sensitive and provocative nuclear activities—or not.
The Brexit Effect on UK Nuclear
World Nuclear News
EDF Energy, NuGeneration and Horizon Nuclear Power have all stressed their commitment to the UK's nuclear new build program, despite the country's decision to leave the European Union. Nevertheless, the majority vote in favour of 'Brexit' - decided in a national referendum held yesterday - may have implications for investment in new reactors and nuclear research, as well for the UK's future role in meeting climate change targets, industry participants said.
India Joins Elite Missile Control Group MTCR
BBC
India has joined an exclusive club of countries controlling exports in missile technology. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar signed the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), aimed at preventing unchecked proliferation of missiles. As an MTCR member, India will now have access to crucial missile technologies. This came days after India suffered a setback in a bid to join a group that sets global rules for international trade in nuclear energy technology. "India's entry into the regime [MTCR] as its 35th member would be mutually beneficial in the furtherance of international non-proliferation objectives," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
NSG Appoints Nuclear Envoy to Informal Panel for India
Hindu
India’s case at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) may not have been taken forward formally this year but it wasn’t shelved entirely, sources indicated here, saying that a decision had been taken on an “informal consultative process” especially for India’s case. According to highly placed diplomatic sources, the closed-door session of the NSG that ended its annual plenary in Seoul on Friday appointed Argentine Ambassador Rafael Grossi as the “Facilitaor of the Chairperson to having informal consultations with the Participating Governments (PGs) in the group”.
Su-30 Flies With BrahMos Missile for First Time
Indian Express
In a boost to India’s air strike capability, frontline fighter aircraft Su-30 MKI on June 25 flew with an integrated BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that has a range of over 290 kms, making IAF the only air force in the world in possession of such a system. With this successful flight, the BrahMos air version programme now inches closer towards actual test firing when a 2,500 kg BrahMos air-to-ground missile will be fired from Sukhoi-30 in coming months. Integration of BrahMos with Su-30 MKI will render the weapon a multi-platform capability while making the IAF the only Air Force in the world in procession of a supersonic cruise missile system.
After Nuclear Missile Loss, Dems Vow to Keep Fighting
Joe Gould and Aaron Mehta | Defense News
Top Democratic lawmakers fighting to quash the next-generation air-launched cruise missile suffered a setback this month, but they are signaling the fight’s not over. Two opinion pieces by opponents — House Armed Services Ranking Member Adam Smith in Foreign Policy and Senate Intelligence Committee Vice-President Dianne Feinstein in the New York Times — ripped the Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon as expensive, wasteful and dangerously escalatory. The items come as the House rejected a measure to slow down LRSO’s development.