In Defense of Iran

[KeyStone]

I find it the height of absurdity that nations are calling for sanctions against Iran based on their pronouncement that they intend to gain the ability to enrich uranium enhancement to twenty percent. Here are just a few reasons:

1) Many of the countries calling for sanctions are nations that already have nuclear weapons, and yet, Iran is merely trying to increase their ability for nuclear fuel and research. How is that nations like France, the US and Israel have the audacity to suggest that Iran can not develop nuclear fuel, when they already have nuclear weapons?

2) While the non-proliferation treaty forbids signatories from attempting to acquire nuclear weapons, in return, nuclear nations are supposed to help non-nuclear nations obtain non-military nuclear technology. Given that the nuclear nations have done everything possible to deny Iran this technology, one could easily conclude that they are in breach of their obligations of the NPT, and therefore release Iran of any obligations.

3) Iran has allowed the IAEA into Iran for full inspections and has disclosed all operations. This disclosure may not have been as timely as desired, however given looming threats against Iran's nuclear facilities, as well as the complete lack of consequences for Israel, when it destroyed the Osirak plant, it is understandable why Iran would want to set its own timetables for disclosure. Again, given that Israel has nuclear weapons and the IAEA is completely unwelcome in Israel, it is quite hysterical, that they dare to complain about Iran not revealing the construction of the facility as soon as the IAEA would want.

4) Previously Iran was only able to enrich to 3.5%, and now they are looking to enrich to 20%. Weapons grade enrichment requires over 90%, so it seems quite feasible that this enrichment is for peaceful purposes, just as Iran claims. Incidentally, if you look at Canada's research reactors (such as Slowpoke 2, they produce 97% enriched uranium.

5) While options have been presented for other countries to supply Iran with the nuclear parts that they need, it denies Iran a chance to develop their own knowledge and expertise of nuclear technology, as well as makes Iran dependent on other nations, and given the amount of sanctions that have been levied at Iran, it is understandable as to why they may not with this dependency (for instance, the US restricts Iranian purchase of plane parts, which Iran cites as the reason for its frequent.

plane crashes).

[M.Dancer]

Iran is merely trying to increase their ability for nuclear fuel and research.

That opinion is not shared by most of those concerned and given the various times that Iran has fudged, lied, hidden and obfuscated legally required investigations, not an opinion that holds much water

2) While the non-proliferation treaty forbids signatories from attempting to acquire nuclear weapons, in return, nuclear nations are supposed to help non-nuclear nations obtain non-military nuclear technology. Given that the nuclear nations have done everything possible to deny Iran this technology, one could easily conclude that they are in breach of their obligations of the NPT, and therefore release Iran of any obligations.

Iran has benefited tremendously from the NPT, so that argument is without merit.

3) Iran has allowed the IAEA into Iran for full inspections and has disclosed all operations.

Patently false

This disclosure may not have been as timely as desired, however given looming threats against Iran's nuclear facilities, as well as the complete lack of consequences for Israel, when it destroyed the Osirak plant, it is understandable why Iran would want to set its own timetables for disclosure.

Timely disclosure is everything. What point is there to find too late that the door was unlocked?

Israel is a red herring...

Again, given that Israel has nuclear weapons and the IAEA is completely unwelcome in Israel, it is quite hysterical, that they dare to complain about Iran not revealing the construction of the facility as soon as the IAEA would want.

Irrelevant. Israel has not received any technology by way of the NPT, Iran has.

4) Previously Iran was only able to enrich to 3.5%, and now they are looking to enrich to 20%. Weapons grade enrichment requires over 90%, so it seems quite feasible that this enrichment is for peaceful purposes, just as Iran claims. Incidentally, if you look at Canada's research reactors (such as Slowpoke 2, they produce 97% enriched uranium.

We are members in good standing and allow timely inspections.

5) While options have been presented for other countries to supply Iran with the nuclear parts that they need, it denies Iran a chance to develop their own knowledge and expertise of nuclear technology, as well as makes Iran dependent on other nations, and given the amount of sanctions that have been levied at Iran, it is understandable as to why they may not with this dependency (for instance, the US restricts Iranian purchase of plane parts, which Iran cites as the reason for its frequent.

plane crashes).

I haven't heard of a plane crash in Iran that was a western built craft. They are all Russian....and are crashing as often as russian planes do. Basing their objection to get fuel from a third party because the US has sanctions is a weak argument indeed.

[GostHacked]

That opinion is not shared by most of those concerned and given the various times that Iran has fudged, lied, hidden and obfuscated legally required investigations, not an opinion that holds much water

No more than North Korea, who has been in negotiations with the US and China ect, for the last 20 to 30 years. And to what end? NK now has the bomb.

Israel is a red herring...

I suspect Israel has the nuke. We should send in the IAEA just because. I mean if you got nothing to hide, then there should be no issue.

I haven't heard of a plane crash in Iran that was a western built craft. They are all Russian....and are crashing as often as russian planes do. Basing their objection to get fuel from a third party because the US has sanctions is a weak argument indeed.

The US sold F-14s to Iran. Iran can't get parts for the Tomcat because it's no longer used in the US military. It is now a retired plane. And parts are not made for it anymore. So Iran's aging F-14 fleet will eventually have to be replaced.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-14_Tomcat#Iran

[M.Dancer]

No more than North Korea, who has been in negotiations with the US and China ect, for the last 20 to 30 years. And to what end? NK now has the bomb.

That in itslef ais an argument not to repeat past mistakes.

I suspect Israel has the nuke. We should send in the IAEA just because. I mean if you got nothing to hide, then there should be no issue.

What would that accomplish? The Israelis are under no obligation to the IAEA. "We would like to see your reactor," the INEA asks....

The US sold F-14s to Iran. Iran can't get parts for the Tomcat because it's no longer used in the US military. It is now a retired plane. And parts are not made for it anymore. So Iran's aging F-14 fleet will eventually have to be replaced.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-14_Tomcat#Iran

And so? The Iranians also have much newer Mirages, SU 24s etc....but it is the civilan planes that crash...russian planes that is. And if they do crash, it is no ones fault but those who allow them to fly.

[DogOnPorch]

The US sold F-14s to Iran. Iran can't get parts for the Tomcat because it's no longer used in the US military. It is now a retired plane. And parts are not made for it anymore. So Iran's aging F-14 fleet will eventually have to be replaced.

That's not the reason Iran can't get parts for its American built aircraft. Those guys haven't seen a spare part shipped direct from the US of A since 1979. That date should ring a bell.

I suspect Israel has the nuke. We should send in the IAEA just because. I mean if you got nothing to hide, then there should be no issue.

Nobody knows if Israel has working nuclear weapons or not. Israel likes it that way.

Keystone: Previously Iran was only able to enrich to 3.5%, and now they are looking to enrich to 20%. Weapons grade enrichment requires over 90%, so it seems quite feasible that this enrichment is for peaceful purposes, just as Iran claims. Incidentally, if you look at Canada's research reactors (such as Slowpoke 2, they produce 97% enriched uranium.

Twenty percent U-235 is enough to produce a crude, inefficient weapon given enough of the stuff and some creative neutron reflecting. Iran is capable of both. But sure...Iran just wants to lead the world in medical isotope production.

[Shady]

In his down time from defending the likes of Hugo Chavez, KeyStone now turns his attention to the defense of Iran. Classic.

[DogOnPorch]

Many of the countries calling for sanctions are nations that already have nuclear weapons, and yet, Iran is merely trying to increase their ability for nuclear fuel and research. How is that nations like France, the US and Israel have the audacity to suggest that Iran can not develop nuclear fuel, when they already have nuclear weapons?

Ah yes...the ol' IT AIN'T FAIR argument. Let's all have nuclear weapons. That'll make the planet a much safer place. The trouble with this particular plan is that the more of these things that exist in different hands, the greater the chance of one being used...maybe on you.

Edited February 16, 2010 by DogOnPorch

[DogOnPorch]

In his down time from defending the likes of Hugo Chavez, KeyStone now turns his attention to the defense of Iran. Classic.

Indeed.

[JB Globe]

The whole notion of Western anti-nuclear proliferation as some sort of neutral campaign to rid the world of bombs for the betterment of mankind was proven to be bunk decades ago.

The fact is that the US and other countries (specifically NATO countries) haven't brought the hammer down on all the countries that have broken the non-proliferation treaty, they've only done so on the countries which they consider to be enemies.

When their strategic allies develop nukes, there's little more than some PR move to save face, and a slap on the wrist. The most striking example of this is that when India developed nukes, there was some official posturing, but no talk of sanctions, then a few decades later we see the same Bush who comes out swinging against Iran's nukes, signing a nuclear technology sharing deal with India.

It's become clear to the world that the West doesn't care so much about stopping proliferation, as much as it does stopping proliferation to countries it doesn't like too much.

If that's the case, let's drop this whole "for the betterment of mankind" pretence and be honest about it: this is simply a power struggle to maintain Western dominance over the world. Maybe then we can start to see how our position creates the kind of climate whereby a guy like Ahmadinejad becomes the leader of Iran. After all, it's not how he knows how to run an economy, improve a health care system, or run a democratic government. The only thing he knows how to do play the "staunch defender of the homeland against American aggression" card - if we stacked the cards so he couldn't play his hand, none of us would have ever heard his name.

[M.Dancer]

The fact is that the US and other countries (specifically NATO countries) haven't brought the hammer down on all the countries that have broken the non-proliferation treaty, they've only done so on the countries which they consider to be enemies.

First off, it isn't a US treaty, it was proposed by Ireland.

Only one nation that was a signatory acquired nuclear weapons. They are currently holding South Korea hostage, forestalling any military correction.

[eyeball]

Nobody knows if Israel has working nuclear weapons or not. Israel likes it that way.

Well given that it's no surprise it's neighbors might feel uneasy.

[DogOnPorch]

Well given that it's no surprise it's neighbors might feel uneasy.

Describe a typical Israeli nuclear weapon. Type...yield...delivery method.

[eyeball]

Describe a typical Israeli nuclear weapon. Type...yield...delivery method.

Describe an Iranian one.

[M.Dancer]

Describe an Iranian one.

The delivery system...

The Shahab-3 missile can strike targets between 800 and 1,250 miles (1,300 and 2,000 kilometers), according to the reports.

The Sajil-2 missile is a solid-fuel rocket with a similar range and has been launched twice before, in November 2008 and May 2009.

If Iran's claims are true, the missile brings Moscow, Russia; Athens, Greece; and southern Italy within striking distance

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/28/iran.missile.tests/index.html

[eyeball]

If Iran's claims are true, the missile brings Moscow, Russia; Athens, Greece; and southern Italy within striking distance

I guess Iran must figure it's within striking range of these then.

[M.Dancer]

I guess Iran must figure it's within striking range of these then.

I agree. I guess you figure that.

[DogOnPorch]

Describe an Iranian one.

You answered a question with another question technically.

Edited February 16, 2010 by DogOnPorch

[bloodyminded]

The delivery system...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/28/iran.missile.tests/index.html

And the type and yield?

[eyeball]

You answered a question with another question.

You evaded the point with one, I underscored it with another.

[DogOnPorch]

The delivery system...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/28/iran.missile.tests/index.html

The one to actually keep your eye on is Iran's so-called civilian launcher.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safir_(rocket)

[DogOnPorch]

You evaded the point with one, I underscored it with another.

You can not show me an Israeli nuclear weapon. I can show you an American one. A Russian one.

[DogOnPorch]

And the type and yield?

Iran has yet to test a nuclear weapon.

[DogOnPorch]

The scenario for those too dumb or too useful as idiots to figure it out...

Iran fiddle-f**ks around for the next few years running hot and/or cold re: its nuclear program until it is ready to conduct a test of not only its nuclear device, but its ICBM system by launching a one ton satellite into LEO.

Scenario expanded...Iran launches a mysterious 'scientific' satellite (they swear it is) that on occasion passes over Israel...until that one time it is de-orbited. Ka-whoomp!

[bloodyminded]

Iran has yet to test a nuclear weapon.

Right. So confusion about the existence of Israeli nukes is a good sign, for...some reason, unstated; and the lack of an Iranian nuke is merely evidence of their monumental evil.

[M.Dancer]

I just think it's so cool how a thread about Iran's peaceful nuclear ambitions and all the efforts they go to becomes a thread about Israel.

If only America's anti missile systems could deflect as easily.