Those Crazy Iranians & Their Nukes

“If the world arrogant powers and their allies create obstacles for the nation to access advanced technology, they will regret it. We cannot ignore our legitimate rights.“ ~Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

“In this age of democracy, the legitimate right of a country that wishes to utilize modern technology is being violated,“ he said.

“This onslaught has its roots in the imperialist nature of the West, which plans to keep other countries backward. The western philosophy is that the country, which stands on its own feet, finds access to advanced technology and overcomes ignorance, must be punished,“ he said. (Source)

The evening news tonight was horribly reminiscent of the media reports leading up to the war on Iraq. Iran resumed it's nuclear research this week and the United States and other members of the international community are seemingly frantic and just about ready to pull their hair out. They accuse Iran of violating the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty which has three pillars:

1) Non proliferation - The U.S., China, Russia, France, and the UK are
considered Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) and they can own nuclear weapons
but they agree not to transfer nuclear weapons technology to other states,
and the non-NWS state parties agree not to seek to develop nuclear weapons.

2) Disarmament - NWS parties pursue to reduce and liquidate their stockpiles; Article X states that any state can withdraw from the treaty if they feel that "extraordinary events", for example a perceived threat, force them to do so.

3) Right to peacefully use nuclear technology

Iran is asserting the third pillar, as leaders say they want to do nuclear research for civilian energy purposes. Iran wants to kick the oil habit and although it receives lots of revenue from oil sales, it's refineries are crap and outdated, so it imports a large % of it's gasoline from other countries. I believe Iran is more aware of the looming energy crisis than most parts of the world and they are trying to work towards a decreased reliance on oil in general, as the country's future depends on finding a new energy source.

The U.S position is "we don't trust 'em." I think we should have well learned our lesson with Iraq, that you can't just go around starting wars with every country in the world you don't trust but when you've got the lone ranger for a president, you never know what he'll do next. The problem is , we're stretched thin in Iraq...unless Bush wants to reinstate the draft right quick, and bankrupt our country a little more, we can't afford to send more troops into Iran right now. Thank God. 2nd option is diplomacy...you know, that thing we forgot to give a sincere chance, regarding Iraq. The irony is staggering, as folks are starting to realize that the United Nations implementing economic sanctions on Iran and cutting off their oil exports would only backfire and hurt US consumers as Iran's pumps out a little over $2M barrells of oil a day (about 5% fo the world's oil production). Sanctions on Iran mean higher oil and gas prices at the pump. Are they really that evil that Americans are willing to hurt a little more in their pocketbooks? I'll stay tuned to the news to figure out what other responses (i.e. punishment) the world has in store for Iran.

Does Iran have the right to develop peaceful nuclear technologies to provide a secure energy structure for its people? Yes. France is doing it (No French Train Will Use Fossil Fuels by 2025). The Unites States (when we finally wake up) will do it. Why can't Iran? Does the United States or the UN council have any right to impose punishment/penalties against a country just because we don't trust 'em? No. Must I revisit the "imminent threat" campaign and assurance by the Bush Administration (Bush, Condi, Powell, Cheney...) that Sadaam had weapons of mass destruction? I'm preparing for a similar campaign against Iran, regardless of whether Iran's intentions are genuinely to generate civilian energy or not.

I can't help pulling for Iran on this one. If they are developing nuclear weapons, the UN should step in, if nobody can prove that they are, then the international community should back off. Nobody seems to be saying anything regarding the United States refusal to adhere to the second pillar and reduce its nuclear stockpiles. I personally think the United States and it's nuclear weapons combined with the direction our foreign policy has recently taken...poses a far greater threat in the world, than Iran right now.

Related Articles:

Iranian Press Scorns Nuclear Criticism

Iran Agrees To Suspend Nuclear Enrichment Program(11/29/04)