Iran deserves sanctions for their defiance
Britney Barr, Columnist
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: Editorial
Could the tides be changing in diplomacy with Iran?
In August 2006, the United Nations Security Council placed sanctions on Iran, demanding that it cease its uranium enrichment program.
Yet Iran has steadfastly retained development of the program, claiming the nation has the right to develop peaceful nuclear power under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sworn never to terminate the program.
Ahmadinejad claims the Security Council is not concerned with the nuclear programs or weapons possessed by developed countries like Great Britain, but fears the development of nuclear power in developing countries.
"The reality is that they are afraid of the progress of our nations," Ahmadinejad said.
However, Russia, Iran's commercial source for nuclear fuel, has told Iran that unless it ceases its uranium enrichment program, it will withhold nuclear fuel.
According to a report from the New York Times, "… Russian officials acknowledged that Russia was delaying the delivery of fuel to the reactor in the Iranian port city of Bushehr."
The Times said "Russia is very eager to become a leader in the global business of nuclear fuel production and spent fuel storage. Being the chief protector and enabler of Iran's nuclear efforts is not the best advertising for such an enterprise."
Whatever Russia's motivations are for applying pressure on Iran, will the pressure be enough for Iran to concede to the demands placed on it by the U.N.?
If not, President Ahmadinejad is at further risk of isolating Iran from international relationships, especially with the West.
The United Nations drafted a new resolution further restricting Iran's access to foreign currency and isolating Bank Sepah from international financing.
If Iran continually refuses to comply with the Security Council's demands, the sanctions with be enforced.
In August 2006, the United Nations Security Council placed sanctions on Iran, demanding that it cease its uranium enrichment program.
Yet Iran has steadfastly retained development of the program, claiming the nation has the right to develop peaceful nuclear power under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sworn never to terminate the program.
Ahmadinejad claims the Security Council is not concerned with the nuclear programs or weapons possessed by developed countries like Great Britain, but fears the development of nuclear power in developing countries.
"The reality is that they are afraid of the progress of our nations," Ahmadinejad said.
However, Russia, Iran's commercial source for nuclear fuel, has told Iran that unless it ceases its uranium enrichment program, it will withhold nuclear fuel.
According to a report from the New York Times, "… Russian officials acknowledged that Russia was delaying the delivery of fuel to the reactor in the Iranian port city of Bushehr."
The Times said "Russia is very eager to become a leader in the global business of nuclear fuel production and spent fuel storage. Being the chief protector and enabler of Iran's nuclear efforts is not the best advertising for such an enterprise."
Whatever Russia's motivations are for applying pressure on Iran, will the pressure be enough for Iran to concede to the demands placed on it by the U.N.?
If not, President Ahmadinejad is at further risk of isolating Iran from international relationships, especially with the West.
The United Nations drafted a new resolution further restricting Iran's access to foreign currency and isolating Bank Sepah from international financing.
If Iran continually refuses to comply with the Security Council's demands, the sanctions with be enforced.
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