Iran's President Ahmadinejad announced today that Iran had reached a key milestone in its quest for nuclear weapons,with 3,000 centrifuges now up and running."We have now reached 3,000 machines," Ahmadinejad told thousands of Iranians gathered in Birjand, in eastern Iran. This puts Iran within reach of a nuclear weapon within a years time or so.
Iran says it plans to expand its enrichment program to up to 54,000 centrifuges at Natanz in central Iran - which would amount to the level of industrial-scale uranium enrichment.
Of course, that's just the nuclear facilities Iran is admitting to.
Ahmadinejad once again let the west know that no suspension of Iran's nuclear activities, or any kind of compromise is out of the question..something Obama and certain other politicians should take note of.
"They say they've swallowed these 3,000 and want to reach an agreement with us on what to do, at what speed, how many (centrifuges) a day or week," Ahmadinejad said.
"Our response is: 'Who are you to make comments about the Iranian nation ... do we ask you how many machines you have,'" Ahmadinejad added.
He also told the crowd that he had bluntly refused a recent offer to negotiate with the United States over Iran's nuclear activities.
"I, as your representative, told those who brought the message that we didn't ask for talks ... If talks are to be held, it is the Iranian nation that has to set conditions, not the arrogant and the criminals," Ahmadinejad said.
"The world must know that this nation will not give up one iota of its nuclear rights ... if they think they can get concessions from this nation, they are badly mistaken," he concluded.
Well that says it pretty plainly. And those of you who think `negotiating' with Iran has possibilities should be aware that Ahmadinejad says nothing in this vein unless it's cleared with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Kahmenei and the Council of Guardians, the men who really run Iran.
By the way, Ahmadinejad was at Birjand, which is near the Afghan border to visit a newly built Iranian airbase. There was a double message here...Iran wanted to send the message that NATO forces in Afghanistan are within range to be targeted if it comes to a war.
Hey FF, how are you?
ReplyDeleteYou recently wrote an article describing the success we've been having against Iran's financial institutions. With all this progress, it seems odd that they've managed to come so far. Perhaps you were a little too optimistic, or maybe it will take some time for the measures to take full effect?
I'm fine,Nazar,tanks.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely are having progress shutting down Iran's financial institutions.
As you mention, the sanctions just went into effect, and the Mullahs are still able to use some banks in the UAE an delsewhere, for now.
Additionally, the Mullahs can trade oil or oil and gas futures directly for some commodities..like Russian work on their nukes faciities and certain weapons. ( If you read my recent piece on Assad and the deal with N. Korea, you'll recall that Syria traded duram wheat to the Norks for a plutonium reactor.)
But over time, this will definitely impact their economy and their commerce, for the reasons I mentioned. It won't stop them from getting the bomb, because they've made it a priority, but it will impede them.