Iran to expand nuclear program while U.S. passes sanctions
On the day that the United States Congress passes legislation that would impose mandatory sanctions on entities that provide goods or services for Iran's weapons programs and President George W. Bush signs that legislation, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he isn't concerned about those sanctions. In fact, Iran plans to expand their nuclear program.
Washington is supposed to put pressure on Russia, who are working with Iran to build their nuclear facilities and also providing materials. That will be the problem with these U.S. sanctions, several European countries have financial connections with Iran, specifically ... you guessed it, France, Russia and China.
Iran's hardline president on Sunday said his country was determined to expand its uranium enrichment program, announcing a plan to increase enrichment for nuclear fuel . . .Speaking to professors at Tehran University, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reinforced his rejection of demands by the U.S. and its allies to stop enrichment saying his country was committed to generating nuclear fuel for electricity. . . .
The process of uranium enrichment can be used to produce electricity or to build nuclear weapons depending on the level of enrichment.
In February, Iran announced for the first time that it produced a batch of low-enriched uranium, using 164 centrifuges.
It also has said it plans to intall 3,000 centrifuges by the end of the year at its uranium enrichment plant in the central Iranian town of Natanz. Large-scale production of enriched uranium in Natanz would require 54,000 centrifuges. source
On H.R. 6198 President Bush said, "This legislation will codify U.S. sanctions on Iran while providing my administration with flexibility to tailor those sanctions in appropriate circumstances and impose sanctions upon entities that aid the Iranian regime's development of nuclear weapons."
Ahmadinejad said, "The U.S. has already sanctioned Iran in different fields for the past 27 years. But Iran stood firm."
David Ignatius thinks it's "not late to stop Iran's nukes" because 'intelligence analysts believe that Iran is encountering technical difficulties in mastering the complex process of uranium enrichment'.
The problem, according to intelligence officials, is that the centrifuges that are supposed to enrich uranium are overheating. Some are breaking down and must be replaced. ... This assessment is based on recent conversations with analysts from several Western nations that are watching the Iranian program closely, and on an unpublished report by the International Atomic Energy Agency that was completed Aug 31. (more)
So as Mr. Ignatius puts it, 'a few extra minutes have been put on the play clock in this football game', which he thinks will give negotiations a chance. I don't agree. The Iranians are not interested in negoatiations except as a stalling ploy and they are not concerned with sanctions, as stated plainly by Ahmadinejad today.
Related:
Iran: Articles on Military Strength & Capability from Slant Right
The Defense Department and Joint Chiefs of Staff have assessed that Iran's military is the second most powerful in the Middle East. They said that unlike Iraq, Iran is capable of sustaining a long war against the United States.
and
Russian diplomatic and industry sources said Moscow has been negotiating to sell Iran a range of anti-aircraft systems to protect Bushehr from Israeli or U.S. air strikes. The sources said contracts could be signed when Bushehr is ready to begin operations, expected in late 2007. ... "Russia has already installed and manned SAM systems around Bushehr," a diplomatic source said.
Tick-Tock...
Also reporting, Blue Crab Boulevard
"Allegations or charges by the United States than Iran is seeking nuclear weapons is a big lie," Ahmadinejad said...No, all but the very foolish can see who is lying here, Mahmoud. Your neighbors see it too, which is why they are suddenly very interested in nuclear activities.
heh
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New Hillbilly White Trash member, Texas Fred, home of Reject the United Nations
Give Michelle Malkin some love, she's been abused this week.
I'm no expert, but from all the accounts I have read, Iran's centrifuges are too small to be used for manufacturing nuclear fuel for power plants. In fact, as I have read, centifruges that small can only be used for one purpose and that is to make weapons grade nuclear material.
Kinda gives the lie to all their claims, don't it.
Posted by: RoadKnight | October 02, 2006 at 07:25 AM