Iran's formal reply to an economic incentives package in exchange for its halting of its urnanium enrichment program is supposed to be issued tomorrow, August 22nd, but we get word today that Iran is, unsurprisingly, saying no:
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday Iran would press ahead with its pursuit of nuclear energy, indicating it will not heed a U.N. demand it stop enriching uranium or face possible sanctions.
Khamenei, who has the final word, did not mention enrichment by name but senior officials have repeated in recent days that it would not be stopped. The deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization joined the chorus on Monday."Considering the technical advancement of Iranian scientists, the suspension of uranium enrichment is not possible any more," Mohammad Saeedi told Iran's Fars News Agency.
Saeedi said Iran would formally reply on Tuesday to a nuclear package offered by six world powers, in return for an end to enrichment, that is aimed at allaying the West's fears that Iran wants atomic bombs.
Khamenei said Iran would pursue its nuclear plans.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has made its decision and, in the issue of nuclear energy, will continue its path powerfully ... and it will receive the sweet fruits of its efforts," state television quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Iran refused to allow UN inspectors into its underground nuclear facilities:
VIENNA, Austria - Iran has turned away U.N. inspectors wanting to examine its underground nuclear site in an apparent violation of the Nonproliferation Treaty, diplomats and U.N. officials said Monday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the information, told The Associated Press that Iran's unprecedented refusal to allow access to the facility at Natanz could seriously hamper international efforts to ensure that Tehran is not trying to make nuclear weapons.
Permalink | Linking Blogs | Sphere: Related Content | Digg this! | FARK It!
Filed under:
Iran
Comments (8)
Surprise! I'm sure this wo... (Below threshold)1. Posted by GarandFan | August 21, 2006 3:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Surprise! I'm sure this would not have happened if John Kerry were president. Nuance.
1. Posted by GarandFan | August 21, 2006 3:07 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 21, 2006 15:07
2. Posted by hermie | August 21, 2006 3:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Delay, obstruct and deceive.
Then say oops...it's too late now.
Well, I guess the UN Nuclear 'watchdog' will be up for another Nobel.
2. Posted by hermie | August 21, 2006 3:37 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 21, 2006 15:37
3. Posted by Mitchell | August 21, 2006 4:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kerry: "In a John Kerry Administration, I would have had more unilateral negotiation with the regime in Tehran . . .doh!"
Yes, more talk. Talk it to death and never do anything about it. Worked for Clinton because he jettisoned just in time to avoid reaping what he sowed.
3. Posted by Mitchell | August 21, 2006 4:33 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 21, 2006 16:33
4. Posted by Ed Schuster | August 21, 2006 5:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
....Where is Jack Bauer when you need him?
4. Posted by Ed Schuster | August 21, 2006 5:50 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 21, 2006 17:50
5. Posted by Peter F. | August 21, 2006 6:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Iran Will Continue Nuclear Program"
Sub-head: United Nations Wrings Hands and Threatens "Resolutions Galore!" Because "That'll Show 'Em We Mean Business"
5. Posted by Peter F. | August 21, 2006 6:59 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 21, 2006 18:59
6. Posted by papalovesmambo | August 21, 2006 8:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
what's the over/under on ol' mahmoud nuking jerusalem in a few hours?
6. Posted by papalovesmambo | August 21, 2006 8:41 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 21, 2006 20:41
7. Posted by Robin Goodfellow | August 22, 2006 2:41 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is the exact same script that the DPRK used in the '90s. Will we be stupid enough to make the same mistakes again?
Meanwhile, does anyone have any examples of the IAEA preventing a determined state from successfully acquiring nuclear weapons? Looks to me like their track record is very poor in that area.
7. Posted by Robin Goodfellow | August 22, 2006 2:41 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 22, 2006 02:41
8. Posted by Charles Bannerman | August 22, 2006 8:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
... could seriously hamper international efforts...
I can't believe anybody could be stupid enough to utter that statement. The only way to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons is to destroy their nuclear facilities. Begging and bribing them will work about as well as it did with North Korea.
Chuck
8. Posted by Charles Bannerman | August 22, 2006 8:10 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 22, 2006 08:10