Iran Nuclear Program Peaceful or Problem?

Iran Nuclear Threat

When it comes to the question regarding the Iran nuclear threat, my vote is YES.  Back in June of 2011 I dove headfirst into the construction of the first Iranian nuclear power plant in Tehran.  Funny how than no one seemed to say in the news that Iran was increasing their uranium enrichment at a facility that was conveniently located just 2-3 hours south of the nuclear power plant.  Please visit my article for the full story on Iran’s nuclear power plant.

Checking out the Huffington Post’s article on Six Questions Reporters Should Ask of Anyone Advocating Military Action Against Iran I agree on some points however my response is, actions speak louder than words in the case of Tehran.

Look at all of the things that have happened over the passed year alone.  After the disaster of Fukushima, most countries decided to begin shutting down their nuclear energy programs, not construct new facilities.  Russia and China both stepped up to defend the Iran nuclear program, claiming the country’s intentions were peaceful.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported back in November of 2011 that Iran ranks among the world’s top four holders in oil and natural gas reserves.  Falling behind Russia and Saudi Arabia in 2010, Iran has no problems when it comes to the production of oil outweighing their consumption.

Iran's production of oil versus it's consumption

Why would they need to start up a nuclear energy program when oil and natural gas is the preferred source of energy?  What makes natural gas and oil expensive are the transportation costs.  Before I get asked one of the Huffington Post’s six questions, Iran can say what they want about wanting a “backup energy source”, I don’t buy it for this reason.  Uranium is not known for being used as a source for nuclear power, rather it is primarily used to develop nuclear weapons.   Back in June I contacted the World Nuclear Association (WNA) to find out what the difference was between a nuclear POWER and a nuclear WEAPON facility.  The Director of Public Communications for the WNA responded back to me that the enrichment of uranium is used 5% for power and 90% for weapons.  Hmm…

I get it, no one wants to charge in and go to war again like we did after September 11^th, 2001.  However why is everyone ignoring the obvious when it comes to the situation in Iran surrounding the Tehran nuclear program?

Tehran was Iran's first nuclear facility

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that they still have serious concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.  Nothing has changed over the last year.  Iran is still not letting the proper individuals in to observe and monitor their facilities.

Also during my research in June of 2011 I found that the IAEA reported:

The Agency is still awaiting a substantive response from Iran to Agency requests for further information in relation to announcements made by Iran concerning the construction of ten new uranium enrichment facilities, the sites for five of which, according to Iran, have been decided, and the construction of one of which was to have begun by the end of the last Iranian year (20 March 2011) or the start of this Iranian year. To date, the Agency has no information as to whether that construction has started.

Well the construction was started, now Iran has declared to the IAEA that there are 15 nuclear facilities and 9 locations outside facilities where nuclear material is customarily used.  Now the IAEA’s report regarding Iran and their nuclear power program states this a year later:

28. The Agency is still awaiting a substantive response from Iran to Agency requests for further information in relation to announcements made by Iran concerning the construction of ten new uranium enrichment facilities, the sites for five of which, according to Iran, have been decided.28 Iran has not provided information, as requested by the Agency in its letter of 18 August 2010, in connection with its announcement on 7 February 2010 that it possessed laser enrichment technology.29 As a result of Iran’s lack of cooperation on those issues, the Agency is unable to verify and report fully on these matters.

Sound familiar?  After reading the “confidential document” (cough cough) I found the summary to be most disturbing regarding the recent findings on the Iran nuclear program and facilities.

L. Summary

50. While the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material at the nuclear facilities and LOFs declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement, as Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation, including by not implementing its Additional Protocol, the Agency is unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.46

51.            The Agency continues to have serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme, as explained in GOV/2011/65. Iran did not provide access to Parchin, as requested by the Agency during its two recent visits to Tehran, and no agreement was reached with Iran on a structured approach to resolving all outstanding issues in connection with Iran’s nuclear programme.

52. Since the Director General’s November 2011 report (GOV/2011/65), contrary to the relevant resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council, Iran continues to carry out uranium enrichment activities and has: increased the number of cascades being used to produce UF6 enriched to 5% U-235; increased the number of cascades being used to produce UF6 enriched to 20% U-235; and is preparing additional cascades at Fordow (FFEP) and Natanz (FEP). Iran has also announced its intention to install three new types of centrifuge at Natanz (PFEP) for R&D purposes.

People open your eyes and exercise those fingers.  Now if you know me I don’t normally hype up the news that everyone is writing about, however I have read many things regarding the Iranian nuclear program and it does not look good.  In case you have not heard, Israel is not a country to be messed with.  The Chosun Ilbo reported that the U.S. opposes Israeli surgical strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. But it would be difficult for Washington to stop Israel if it does go through with an attack, as it did in Syria in 2007. If an Israeli attack escalates tensions, the entire Middle East could fall into turmoil and trigger an oil shock, leading to devastating effects on the global economy. 

There is a lot at stake here and I have to be honest, I am glad George Bush is not here to rush into things.  One wrong move could throw the entire world into turmoil as the balance of our way of life rests in the oil preserves of the Middle East.  Could we function?  I am sure we can.  However haven’t we wasted enough time and sacrificed enough blood over oil?  I hope that in another year I will be writing an article on how the nuclear weapons are no longer utilized based on a global agreement.  Sure I may be dreaming but take a look at what is going on between the United States, Iran, Israel, North Korea and South Korea.  I guarantee that you may be quite disturbed to see how close we are at to an actual nuclear war.

Therefore as the Huffington Post said, be sure ask questions before diving into a war with Iran.  But here’s the catch readers don’t be spoon-fed answers.  Politicians lie and the media is their loudest megaphone.  Ask questions, find answers and never stop searching for the truth when it comes to things like the Iran nuclear program.  Why is Iran enriching so much uranium?