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Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Tehran Responds


And it's response is nothing more than a ploy to buy more time to acquire nukes. It's nothing new. It's a strategy Iran has used since 2003.

Here's where we stand: The P5+1 group (UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany) proposed a package of incentives to Iran on June 6 in exchange for a freeze on all uranium enrichment and related activities. The incentives package, which offered to work with Iran on developing a nuclear programme for peaceful domestic purposes, was followed on July 31 by UNSC Resolution 1696, which calls on Tehran to halt uranium enrichment by the end of August or face the possibility of economic and political sanctions.

Iran said today that it is open to negotiations but would not abandon its uranium enrichment programme.

Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Deputy Director for International Affairs Mohammad Saeedi told the
Mehr News Agency that suspension of Iran's enrichment programme is "no longer on the table for the talks" and that "Iran is pressing ahead with its nuclear research activities to master small-scale industrial enrichment."

And Fars News Agency reported today that "Tehran has rejected suspension of its nuclear activities."

Barring a sudden reversal in Tehran's stance on its enrichment programme, something no one expects, Iran's strategy of negotiating to avoid UN Security Council referral will come to an end on August 31 and the ball will be in the UNSC's court. And we know what that means. China and Russia will balk at getting tough with Tehran and more talks will ensue. All the while, the mullah "Manhattan Project" will continue apace.

Other blogging: Right Wing Nut House, Ace, The Glittering Eye, protein wisdom, Riehl World View, Confederate Yankee, Hot Air, The Free West, It Shines For All, Wizbang

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