CND's Press Round-Up - 29th June 2021
Posted: 29th June 2021
Nuclear Weapons
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA over an expired monitoring agreement mount, whilst Russia says it conducted a successful ICBM test earlier this month.
Iran Nuclear Deal
A fresh dispute has broken out between Iran and the International Atomic Energy, according to Middle East Monitor. A monitoring agreement, which kept CCTV cameras running at some site, between the two parties expired on June 25th. The IAEA says that Iran has not responded to its overtures to extend the agreement once again. The agreement was first reached in February. Reuters also reports that prominent conservatives in Iran like the Speaker of the Parliament have declared the footage from the sites will ‘never’ be handed over. The U.S. has called the lack of a new monitoring agreement ‘a serious concern’ ahead of fresh talks in Vienna.
Russian Missile Technology
Russia has said it conducted a successful test of the latest variant of its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The state-run TASS agency reportsthat the Kedr-type missile was launched from the Plesetsk space-port earlier this month. The new missile is fired for siloes but can be transported around. According to the Russian government, the new missile is part of wider nuclear modernisation efforts. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, which marked its 75th anniversary in May, has provided research and development for the missile.
Anti-war
Russia steps up military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean after last week’s incident and South Korea plans an expensive rocket defence programme.
Russian-UK Tensions
Following on from last week’s incident in the Black Sea, Al Jazeera reports thatRussia has launched large-scale naval drill in the Mediterranean, involving hypersonic-missile carrying aircraft. The Russian drills centre on an area of the Eastern Mediterranean which the British aircraft carrier group will shortly be sailing through. Some of the exercises are being co-ordinated with the Russian base in Latakia in Syria. This is the first time that the aircraft with hyper-sonic missiles have been deployed beyond Russia’s borders. The Russian government said on Thursday that British vessels in the Black Sea would be bombed if they again approached the Crimean coast.
South Korea Missile Defence
South Korea has confirmed its intention to construct a $2.6 billion ‘Iron Dome-style’ artillery interception system, aimed at containing North Korea, according to Reuters. Much of Greater Seoul lies within the range of North Korea’s long-range guns and rocket launchers. The project is expected to be completed by 2035. South Korea can already use technology like the Patriot and THAAD missile defence systems, but these deal with short- rather than long-range threats. North Korea is believe to have around 13,600 guns and multiple rocket launchers near the border.
Nuclear Power
Local voices of opposition are raised to the Bradwell B nuclear development.
Nuclear Power – UK
Beyond Nuclear features a piece on the development of nuclear power at Bradwell B in Essex. The joint French-Chinese two reactor project at Bradwell B has not yet received development consent. Local conservationists have raised concerns that the earthworks needed for the facility could destroy much of the local character of the coastline, as well as the danger of pollution. The Blackwater Against New Nuclear group has also raised concerns that the siting of the new project will make it extremely vulnerable to climate change in the future.
With best wishes,
Michael Muir
Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA over an expired monitoring agreement mount, whilst Russia says it conducted a successful ICBM test earlier this month.
Iran Nuclear Deal
A fresh dispute has broken out between Iran and the International Atomic Energy, according to Middle East Monitor. A monitoring agreement, which kept CCTV cameras running at some site, between the two parties expired on June 25th. The IAEA says that Iran has not responded to its overtures to extend the agreement once again. The agreement was first reached in February. Reuters also reports that prominent conservatives in Iran like the Speaker of the Parliament have declared the footage from the sites will ‘never’ be handed over. The U.S. has called the lack of a new monitoring agreement ‘a serious concern’ ahead of fresh talks in Vienna.
Russian Missile Technology
Russia has said it conducted a successful test of the latest variant of its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The state-run TASS agency reportsthat the Kedr-type missile was launched from the Plesetsk space-port earlier this month. The new missile is fired for siloes but can be transported around. According to the Russian government, the new missile is part of wider nuclear modernisation efforts. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, which marked its 75th anniversary in May, has provided research and development for the missile.
Anti-war
Russia steps up military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean after last week’s incident and South Korea plans an expensive rocket defence programme.
Russian-UK Tensions
Following on from last week’s incident in the Black Sea, Al Jazeera reports thatRussia has launched large-scale naval drill in the Mediterranean, involving hypersonic-missile carrying aircraft. The Russian drills centre on an area of the Eastern Mediterranean which the British aircraft carrier group will shortly be sailing through. Some of the exercises are being co-ordinated with the Russian base in Latakia in Syria. This is the first time that the aircraft with hyper-sonic missiles have been deployed beyond Russia’s borders. The Russian government said on Thursday that British vessels in the Black Sea would be bombed if they again approached the Crimean coast.
South Korea Missile Defence
South Korea has confirmed its intention to construct a $2.6 billion ‘Iron Dome-style’ artillery interception system, aimed at containing North Korea, according to Reuters. Much of Greater Seoul lies within the range of North Korea’s long-range guns and rocket launchers. The project is expected to be completed by 2035. South Korea can already use technology like the Patriot and THAAD missile defence systems, but these deal with short- rather than long-range threats. North Korea is believe to have around 13,600 guns and multiple rocket launchers near the border.
Nuclear Power
Local voices of opposition are raised to the Bradwell B nuclear development.
Nuclear Power – UK
Beyond Nuclear features a piece on the development of nuclear power at Bradwell B in Essex. The joint French-Chinese two reactor project at Bradwell B has not yet received development consent. Local conservationists have raised concerns that the earthworks needed for the facility could destroy much of the local character of the coastline, as well as the danger of pollution. The Blackwater Against New Nuclear group has also raised concerns that the siting of the new project will make it extremely vulnerable to climate change in the future.
With best wishes,
Michael Muir
Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament