Khamenei Endorses Nuclear Deal

Iran’s Supreme Leader approves deal - “Iran’s supreme leader gave approval Wednesday to the country’s landmark nuclear deal with world powers, effectively silencing any internal opposition but warning that Tehran must keep pressure on the West to ease economic sanctions as promised. The endorsement by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei marked the final, critical step to approve the accord, which had already been cleared by Iranian lawmakers and an important panel of ruling clerics”, writes Brian Murphy for the Washington Post.

--“But Khamenei has tempered his views recently by insisting that the nuclear deal will not open channels for other talks with the United States and possible better ties between the two foes. [His] stamp of approval was contained in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani that was read on state television. It also signifies a major boost for Rouhani and his reform-minded political allies, who have been accused by Iranian hard-liners of giving away too much in the nuclear deal”. Read the full story here. http://wapo.st/1PIPDen

The rising nuclear superpower - Pakistan’s nuclear weapons stockpile has grown from 90 to 110 warheads in 2011 to an estimated 110 to 130 today. “With several delivery systems in development, four operating plutonium production reactors, and uranium facilities, the country’s stockpile will likely increase over the next 10 years, but by how much will depend on many things. Two key factors will be how many nuclear-capable launchers Islamabad plans to deploy, and how much the Indian nuclear arsenal grows.”

--“Based on Pakistan’s performance over the past 20 years and its current and anticipated weapons deployments, [Hans Kristensen and Robert Norris] estimate that its stockpile could realistically grow to 220 to 250 warheads by 2025, making it the world’s fifth largest nuclear weapon state. Pakistan appears to have six types of currently operational nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, plus at least two more under development… [and] is also developing two new cruise missiles.” Read the full report here. http://bit.ly/1W7fL7I

Tweet - @ETDefence: #Nuclear non-proliferation requires support of all, says http://bit.ly/1MGmb3m

Nuclear negotiation speculation- “President Barack Obama may seek to curtail Pakistan’s fast-growing arsenal of atomic weapons,” reports Natalie Pearson and Angela Keane for Bloomberg. “Obama hosts Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday amid speculation that their nations are in talks to limit the scope of Pakistan’s nuclear arms program in return for greater access to technology and fuel for civilian purposes, similar to a U.S. deal with its arch-rival India.” Get the full story here. http://bloom.bg/1kuik2O

Tweet - @ArmsControlNow: Should the US resume six-party talks with #NorthKorea over it's nuclear program? Read a quick history of the talks. bit.ly/1Gpo9IC

Kerry reignites CTBT Senate push - “In a surprise move, US Secretary of State John Kerry today announced a new push to get the Senate to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty,” writes Aaron Mehta for Defense One. “Speaking at an event organized by the National Nuclear Security Administration, Kerry pledged to spend his last year in office making the case for why the US should sign onto the agreement, known as the CTBT.”

--“I am determined that in the months to come, we're going to reopen and re-energize the conversation about the treaty on Capitol Hill and throughout our nation,” Kerry said. “Because there should be no doubt that it is in the best interests of our country to join the treaty and to urge others not to wait… Approval of the CTBT is a fight that we can, and will, win. I urge everyone to keep the faith. I know you'll keep [up] the fight." Read the full article here. http://bit.ly/1PIOTWM

Tweet - @DisarmamentIRL: #Ireland's National Statement on #Nuclear issues delivered by Disarmament Director Helena Nolan at #UNGA70 http://bit.ly/1LHiR8p

TBT: JFK declares nuclear ultimatum - “At 7 p.m. on October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered an 18-minute televised address to the American people that caused many to fear the country was on the brink of nuclear war. Kennedy told the world that there was evidence Russia had transformed Cuba into a base ‘for long-range and clearly offensive weapons,’ a development that turned out to be the closest the Cold War would ever escalate into actual nuclear warfare.”

--“According to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, [Kennedy proclaimed,] ‘I have not assumed that you or any other sane man would In this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which it is crystal clear no country could win and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the whole world, including the aggressor.’” Read the full story from Hilary Sargent for Boston here. http://bit.ly/1OUwNAi

Tweet - @UAEMissionToUN: #UAE delivered its statement during the first committee thematic debates under #nuclear weapons cluster

Quick Hits:

--“Do you have a game idea about the nuclear threat?”, by Colin Campbell for Polygon. http://bit.ly/1Gk1kGA

--“Holy See urges UN to ban nuclear weapons, work towards peace”, at the Catholic News Agency. http://bit.ly/1OUyiyo

--“U.S. committed to using 'full range of tools' against N. Korea: Amb. Sung Kim”, at Yonhap News Agency. http://bit.ly/1Gk1TQN

Events:

--“Prevention of and Response to the Arrival of a Dirty Bomb at a U.S. Port”, hearing by House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Tuesday, October 27th at 10:00 AM. Webcast on committee site here. http://1.usa.gov/1Moxnl8

--“Think Nuclear-Free Symposium! The Nuclear-Free Future Award”, sponsored by Green Cross International and the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington. Thursday, October 29th from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Goethe-Institut Washington, 812 7th St. NW, Washington, DC. RSVP here. http://bit.ly/1P0wMfy

--“Reliving History: A Retrospective Trident”, featuring Rebecca Hersman and Franklin Miller. Wednesday, November 4th from 5:00 - 7:30 PM at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Second Floor B Room, 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC RSVP here. http://bit.ly/1VUkedS

--“Nuclear Detonation Effects in an Urban Area”, featuring John Mercier. Tuesday, November 10th from 12:00 - 1:30 PM at the Department of Science and Technology in Society at Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech Research Center, 900 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA. RSVP here. http://bit.ly/1KXP39b