Spoke with BBC earlier on Iran’s nuclear programme and prospects for weaponisation or diplomatic resolution. An increasingly concerning picture. Iran is more vulnerable than it has been in a while; hard to say if it perceives greater security in diplomacy or a bomb. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Money launderer for Russian spies won deal to help defend Ukraine power plant www.ft.com/content/57a3...

Zarif lays out Iran’s role in resolution of regional issues. On nuclear, says Trump/Europe “have themselves to blame” for Iran’s nuclear progress. Notes that more pressure won’t work and that Iran is ready for dialogue - if West can ensure economic benefits. www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/how-ira...

My latest for @rusi.bsky.social on nuclear diplomacy with #Iran. With Trump re-elected and UNSC snapback expiry looming in October 2025, there may be a window of opportunity to convince Iran that it’s time for meaningful diplomacy. But expectations should be tempered. www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

Must read. Rosatom looking to mine uranium in Namibia using methods that risk contamination of water supply. Still, local population is keen for more RU investment, with Rosatom sponsoring local school food programme. (With input from some of my earlier work). www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

Interesting enough for the fact of having gotten someone from a Russian nuclear base on the record but otherwise a bit of a non-story… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This is a perennial challenge with deserter testimony. Have seen similar issues in DPRK context. Individuals will only have small piece of the puzzle and may not fully know or be able to accurately and meaningfully describe what they’re looking at. Statements must be reviewed alongside other intel.

For folks interested in reading on the Russian approach to escalation, deterrence via intimidation versus through limited use of force, concepts of dosed or deterrent damage, etc. warontherocks.com/2022/09/esca...

NEW: Iran is activating a “substantial number” of advanced centrifuges, increasing the rate of Iranian uranium enrichment. (🧵1/7)

Calling for #IAEA report into unresolved questions on #Iran ‘s nuclear programme would put the issue point blank to Tehran in advance of October 2025: either provide answers on programme the Agency has been after for years or make clear you don’t intend to cooperate. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/w...

This seems to have slipped a bit under the radar last week: Russian introduction of restrictions on shipments of enriched uranium to US. Full details unclear. @financialtimes.com story with reference to my earlier @rusi.bsky.social report on RU enriched uranium trade. www.ft.com/content/ec09...