http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/2429090/Iran-missile-launch-sparks-fears
Or do they?
It sometimes seems that the U.S. interprets any foray into nuclear energy, let alone weapons, as a threat to their security- which I suppose I would be inclined to think if I had the biggest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world too.
There is an interesting point in the article though- "It was likely intended to send a message to the Obama administration that Iran cannot be bullied into talks". Fair enough. Iran continues to maintain that it's nuclear programme is only for energy. Some in the know think that Iran still doesn't have the capabilites to build a nuclear warhead. Make up your own minds...
Great topic and I think why can't Iran have nuclear power for energy reasons??? The only concern I have is the secrecy with which they go about it. They are not being transperent at all in regaurd to the way they are handling it...Why all this secrecy if they only want energy??? These two things don't add up to me...Quoted: "IAEA had requested, as a voluntary "transparency measure", to be allowed access to centrifuge manufacturing sites, but that Iran had refused the request"
ReplyDeleteIAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency
You will also find more helpful insights into IAEA reports into Iran on Wikipedia in the article entitled: 'Nuclear Program of Iran'
Well its all a measure of security isn't it? I mean, if you were the biggest bully in the schoolyard.. you wouldnt really want someone else coming who was bigger than you right?
ReplyDeleteSo its not really that Iran CANT have nuclear power for energy reasons.. but places which DO have nuclear power slash weapons have the upper hand in terms of relative power?
Cause having weapons of mass destruction usually makes people listen to what you have to say.
True but Iran is really a different or unique case... Their preseident has said time and time again he will destroy Israel from the face of the earth...So theres that aspect as well... If Australia said something like this about New Zealand I'm pretty sure we would cry out for them not to have nuclear weapons too... It's impossible to ignore Iran's attitude toward Israel when discussing nuclear weapons for Iran...
ReplyDeleteRegarding nuclear weapons, the whole topic of secrecy when it comes to nuclear power is an interesting one. There are some who would advise Iran to be secretive, as it keeps the doubt in the US’s mind about whether they really do have nukes or not, which can give them extra bargaining power in the future. There is also a fair chance that Iran is worried about its position as a Middle Eastern state considering what happened to Iraq in 2003, so any nuclear deterrence, perceived or otherwise, would be seen as useful.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting point, which is slightly more relevant to an earlier post, is that Ahmadinejad only won 19.43% of the 1st-round presidential vote in 2005: had he won 2% less, he would not have made it to the 2nd round, and would not have been able to be elected. In addition, he placed 2nd behind Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (President of Iran from 1989-1997), who he went on to beat by a landslide in the next round.
Wikipedia article on the politics of Iran.P.S., re: Ahmadinejad’s quote on “wiping Israel from the face of the Earth”, there is some reason to believe that the comments are mostly publicity and election stunt. The domestic situation in Iran means that these sorts of comments are accepted and encouraged. For example, his comments were made around the same time as a national anti-Israel protest:
“…The remarks by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- reported by Islamic Republic News Agency -- coincide with a month-long protest against Israel called "World without Zionism" and with the approach of Jerusalem Day.
World without Zionism is a nationwide event the planners intend to hold annually…”
See Iranian leader: Wipe out Israel.
Every western country make critics about the Irani nuclear program. But no one says anything about the Israeli nuclear missiles. When it comes to an Arab country to make their own protection everybody is alarmed. Israel has that kind of weapon to protect itself from a possible attack. Why Iran can do the same? If Iran has to take a lesson from the actual Iraqi war, is that Americans will fight for oil everywhere. So Iran has to be prepare to fight against them. It is true that Ahmadinejad said that he wants to wipe out Israel from the face of the earth but we don't know what are the Israeli aspirations in the region.
ReplyDeleteAn the American hypocrisy: if Iran has nuclear missiles it will destabilize the region. They talk like they care about the region but that is not true. They just care about their interests.
If you look at the IAEA and UN websites, searching "Iran", you'll find that both organisations condemn Iran not for having suspected nuclear warheads, but for refusing to allow the IAEA in particular to investigate their programme. New Zealand has spoken at conventions for both organisations, condemning Iran also for not having a transperant programme. This is why tests such as the one mentioned in the article are watched so closely- its the only way the international community can determine whether or not Iran poses a nuclear threat.
ReplyDelete