Iran's Nuclear Power Program

Iran claims to be developing a nuclear program for peaceful purposes.

Sure.

It is right to have serious doubts about Iran's intentions.

In spite of objections from European powers and the U.S., Iran is pursuing its nuclear ambitions.

The reality is Iran is determined to develop nuclear weapons.

KHONDAB, Iran (AP) -- As the U.S. and Europe struggle to stop Iran's uranium development, the Iranians are pushing ahead on another track — construction of a heavy-water reactor that Iran says will be used only for peaceful purposes but which could also produce plutonium for a nuclear bomb.

It will take at least another four years for Iran to complete the reactor, making it a less immediate worry for the West than the uranium program, parts of which are either in operation or ready to go at a moment's notice.

But ultimately, the heavy-water reactor could prove more dangerous, since bombs made with plutonium are smaller and easier to fit onto a ballistic missile.

In a comprehensive package aimed at reining in Iran's nuclear program, Europe proposed that it give up the heavy-water project in return for a light-water reactor, seen by arms control experts as easier to monitor to ensure it's not being used for weapons.

Iran — which says its nuclear program is peaceful — rejected the entire package this week. The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization called the heavy-water reactor offer a "joke."

"We have developed this capability. The heavy-water project today is a reality," Gholamreza Aghazadeh, who is also vice president, said on state-run television. "This knowledge belongs to Iran. Nobody can take it from us. As they (Europeans) see Iran's determination, they will be forced to show flexibility and accept it."

..."Work has not been halted there even for a day, allowing Iran to constantly advance its heavy-water project," lawmaker Rasoul Sediqi Bonabi told The Associated Press on Friday.

Iran says the heavy-water reactor will have a range of peaceful applications. Iran intends to use the facility in the pharmaceutical, biological and biotechnological fields as well as in cancer diagnosis and control.

Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed only at producing electricity, but the United States accuses it of secretly intending to build nuclear weapons.

..."This knowledge belongs to us. It (the knowledge) won't be destroyed if attacked. Equipment could also be moved under the mountain," he said.

Iran is defiant.

The Iranians show no desire whatsoever to cooperate with the international community. Iran has flipped off the U.S. and Europe; and they could not care less about the consequences.


JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- President Bush said on Israeli television he could consider using force as a last resort to press Iran to give up its nuclear programme.

"All options are on the table," Bush, speaking at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, said in the interview broadcast on Saturday.

Asked if that included the use of force, Bush replied: "As I say, all options are on the table. The use of force is the last option for any president and you know, we've used force in the recent past to secure our country."

...Bush made clear he still hoped for a diplomatic solution, noting that EU powers Britain, Germany and France had taken the lead in dealing with Iran.

Washington last week expressed a willingness to give negotiations on Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program more time before getting tougher with the country.

"In all these instances we want diplomacy to work and so we're working feverishly on the diplomatic route and we'll see if we're successful or not," Bush told state-owned Israel Channel One television.

This is a completely reasonable response.

Along with the EU powers, the U.S. is working to convince Iran that a nuclear program is not in its best interests. It serves to destabilize the region and increase tensions.

Of course, the U.S. should NOT take any of its options off the table, including force, when dealing with Iran.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "We did not have a revolution in order to have democracy."

Al Jazeera describes him as a “former Islamic Revolutionary Guard commander, unabashedly conservative and loyal to Iran's Supreme leader Ayat Allah Ali Khamenei.

“He is seen by many who voted for him as one ready to stand up to the United States. ‘I picked Ahmadinejad to slap America in the face,’ Mahdi Mirmalek said after casting a ballot for [him].”

Al Jazeera relays that he “defended Iran's nuclear power programme and accused ‘a few arrogant powers,’ a reference meant to include the US, of seeking to limit Iran's industrial and technological development.”

Iran is an enemy of the U.S. and Democracy. That’s obvious.

Ahmadinejad’s nuclear “power” program has nothing to do with energy or technological advancement.

Peace is not on Iran’s agenda.

Power through the acquistion of nuclear weapons is.