Zarif: Nuclear Talks Making Progress
Fars News Agency
Iranian Foreign Minister and top negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed the hope that Tehran and the world powers would reach a final deal, and said the nuclear negotiations are making progress. "The negotiations are moving forward and we should be hopeful," Zarif told reporters at the hotel where the talks are underway between Iran and the six world powers in Vienna on Thursday.
U.N. Nuclear Chief Plans Tehran Visit Seeking Access to Sites and Scientists
Carol Morello | Washington Post
In a sign that Iran nuclear talks could be edging closer to an agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday its director would travel to Tehran to discuss ways it could conduct inspections at sensitive sites.
Republicans Draw Redlines on Iran
Kristina Wong | Hill
Republicans say the extension is a sign the talks aren't going well and argue President Obama should consider walking away from the negotiating table before he gets forced into a "bad deal" that doesn't do enough to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Russia Targets Deployment of 24 Hypersonic Missiles by 2020-2025
Pavel Podvig | Missile Threat
The development of the Yu-71 vehicle took several years, and Russia reportedly conducted the most recent test flight on February 26, with an SS-19 missile trying to deliver the Yu-71 to space. The new hypersonic aircraft is part of Moscow’s plans to modernize its Strategic Missile Forces.
Chinese Nuclear Forces in 2015
Hans M. Kristensen and Robert S. Norris | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
As China assigns a growing portion of its warheads to long-range missiles, the US intelligence community predicts that by the mid-2020s the number of warheads on missiles capable of threatening the United States could increase to well over 100.
Tepco Seeks Foreign Seal of Approval to Restart Nuclear Plant
Stephen Stapczynski | Japan Times
Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s invitation to the world’s top nuclear agency to review the safety of its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility signals the utility’s desire to win international backing to resume operations at the world’s largest atomic power plant.