We all know of Iran's recent nuclear programme, and how the United Nations "Nuclear Watchdog" has deemed it a "peaceful" process, but just how peaceful will this programme turn out to be in the upcoming years?
Relations between Iran and the West has been unstable for decades, but has escalated since 9/11 when George.W.Bush declared Iran to be apart of the "Axis of Evil"; being in alliance with Al Quaeda's plot to build weapons of mass destruction. But how far from the truth is this?
Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, has continued to use provocative language towards Israel (a close ally to the United States), claiming that "Israel must be wiped off the map", and that "the new wave [of attacks] in Palestine will soon wipe off this disgraceful blot from the face of the Islamic world. Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation’s fury”. [*]
Further more, despite rejecting the West's demands to abandon its nuclear activites, Iran has continued (since February 2003), to resume uranium conversion; a key component of Nuclear weapons. Iran claims that by doing this, it is seeking an alternative source of power to boost its economy (of which, over 40% live below the poverty line). However, being one of the biggest oil exporters in the world, I find it hard to believe that Iran would spend millions on nuclear power when it already has a masive supply of oil as a power source. So if it's nuclear programme is not for energy resources, what is it's actual purpose?
Also, to make matters worse, Russia signed a deal in which they would supply Iran with nuclear fuel for use at its power plant in Bushehr (in early 2005). Not to mention, Russia is also interested in building 20 more nuclear power plants as well.
But why cant we stop them? Simple. Iran is the West's biggest supplier of oil. If we impose sanctions, or even commit action against them, Iran will simply cease all oil supply's, pushing up already high, unstable global oil prices, and creating chaos within the British/American economies.
What the solution to this problem will be...I dont know. But at present, Iran's "peaceful" nuclear programme is looking suspicious in my point of view, and if left to carry its course, could result in hostility between the U.S and the Middle-East.
[*] Source: The Financial Times
Irans nuclear facility near Natanz
