As the latest revelation in a crisis that has been attracting attention on the world stage for quite some time, the foremost US military commander has declared Iran’s stockpile of uranium sufficient to construct a nuclear weapon. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Iranian stockpile of low enriched uranium has increase dramatically since November: currently the nation has 1,010kg of the material in their possession.

Since December 2008, the UN Security Council’s demands that Iran halt all uranium enrichment have been met with firm rejection; the Iranian foreign secretary spokesperson deemed the financial incentives offered by the US “unacceptable”. President Barack Obama’s stance of “tough but direct diplomacy”, which cited possible trade sanctions should Iran fail to comply, has yet to be heeded by Iran.

While the Bush administration failed to set up nuclear talks with Iran, the combined urging of the US and UN as done little to change Iranian goals; though there are fears that the nuclear production will inevitably lead to an atomic weapon, officials surrounding the nuclear programme affirm that it is completely peaceful.

Suspicions were certainly heightened two weeks ago when a nuclear power plant in Bushehr began its testing process; Iran cited by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, claiming that the document allows them to continue. Expert opinions differ on whether the 1,010kg of low enriched uranium is enough to convert into a highly enriched uranium bomb, but President Obama has regardless declared the situation an “urgent problem” that needs addressing.

 Print This   Email This