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Page added on November 30, 2013
Iran’s Rouhani: “We Are Not Dismantling Our Nuclear Facilities; Iran Will Maintain Its Uranium Enrichment Programme”
In case there was any confusion just how “historic” last week’s agreement with Iran, loudly trumpeted by the Obama administration as the most “historic” since Syria in a, well, long time, truly was in terms of curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, here is the explanation straight from the horse’s mouth i.e., Iran president Hassan Rouhani who spoke today in an interview with the FT. “Mr Rouhani struck a tough line on Iran’s expectations over a comprehensive nuclear deal to be negotiated following last weekend’s landmark interim pact. “One hundred per cent [no],” he said when asked about dismantling nuclear facilities.” So ixnay on the ismantleday. What about halting Uranium enrichment – that other pillar of Obama (and Hollande’s of course) historic agreement? “[Rouhani] made clear that Tehran was determined to maintain a uranium enrichment programme for peaceful purposes.” In other words, Iran will continue doing what it said it did before, only this time it will get billions of implicit subsidies as various embargoes are lifted.
As the FT notes, a US Senate aide said of the Iranian president’s remarks: “This is precisely the sort of comment that is going to make some people in Congress very nervous.”
Of course, none of this is news to most who followed the theatrical spectacle that was the so-called Geneva deal, in which as confirmed, nothing actionable has been achieved except for the US to alienate its staunch allies Israel and Saudi Arabia further.
Actually, there was news: “Recalling his telephone conversation with President Barack Obama during Mr Rouhani’s recent visit to the UN in New York, he said: “I found him someone with very polite and smart language”. Well, if there is one thing one can say about the president, is that he sure has smart language.
6 Comments on "Iran’s Rouhani: “We Are Not Dismantling Our Nuclear Facilities; Iran Will Maintain Its Uranium Enrichment Programme”"
BillT on Sat, 30th Nov 2013 2:05 am
Iran has as much right to nuclear power as any other nation. It also has a right to a nuclear military if Israel has one. I see many ME nations to be nuclear armed in the future…
tahoe1780 on Sat, 30th Nov 2013 5:59 am
And other ME nations are pursuing nukes: http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2013/09/westinghouse-toshiba-exelon-partner-on-nuclear-power-in-saudi-arabia.html As their oil fields mature and their economies use more energy, nukes will preserve more oil for export. The deal, as I understand it, is to discontinue enriching to 20%. Power requires 3-5%, medical isotopes ~20%, weapons 90+ %.
Arthur on Sat, 30th Nov 2013 9:59 am
ZH is a sensationalist zionist rag bringing nothing new. Giving up enrichment never was part of the recent deal with Iran.
Stilgar on Sat, 30th Nov 2013 7:01 pm
My understanding from the agreement is they can continue to enrich to 5% for their two planned nuclear power plants. Their supply that has been enriched to 20% will be removed, and they will no longer enrich above 5%. Daily inspections at all facilities are part of the agreement.
I don’t see anything there that is cause for concern, that is unless they break the agreement. let’s at least give them a chance.
Change Iran Now on Sun, 1st Dec 2013 4:48 am
This deal falls short of the verified suspension and dismantling of Iran’s nuclear weapons program. It allows Tehran to retain and continue developing its fissile material production capability and its delivery systems and effectively grant it a pass on its weaponization-related activities. It puts Iran’s leaders in a position to rapidly cross the nuclear threshold at a time of their choosing and it should be recognized for the bad deal that it is.
tahoe1780 on Sun, 1st Dec 2013 5:30 am
Its a significant first step. Enrichment to 20% is suspended and material confiscated. Very significant sanctions are still in place. Inspectors will be routinely prowling the halls. They are allowed to have a nuclear power program and need it. Where is the hard evidence that they have a weaponization program?