As far as Iran is concerned America is the Satan. And it is out do the god-fearing, innocent people of Iran in by the hooks and the crooks. Iran claims as it has been growing fast its energy needs has also been on the rise. To meet the increasing demands it has to harness the nuclear fuels. But the western countries are not convinced. They fear that a nuclear Iran could lead to large scale nuclear proliferation and it would pose a greater threat to world peace.
All the same Iran has shown signs of some sort of compromise. Iran has agreed to send the Uranium it has to Turkey. Though many countries including China welcomed the new initiative the Americans have hardened their positions and have made it clear the new move is not satisfactory enough.
American President Obama has called for more coordination among the nations of the world and tough steps to stop Iran pursuing its nuclear ambitions. He has also urged the UN to impose sanctions on Iran for its defiance.
French President Sarkozy after a meeting with Obama at the White House said that Iran must not be allowed to carry on its ‘mad race’. It is high time the UN imposed sanctions on Iran he added. The European nations would stand united behind the sanction Sarkozy declared in a voice that exuded confidence.
The G8 Foreign Ministers have also called for stepping up pressure on Iran to give up its ambitious nuclear program.
Earlier Iran had agreed to a deal proposed by the IAEA. Iran’s claim is that it needs Uranium enriched up to 20 percent, to make medical isotopes to be used in the treatment of Cancer. According to the plan Iran is to send lightly enriched Uranium to Russia which will enrich it to 20 percent. Russia will send the enriched Uranium to France which will convert it into fuel rods and send it back to Iran. Uranium enriched up to 20 percent can be used to make bombs. Once it is converted into fuel rods it cannot be used to make bombs.
Iran now says that it is going ahead with its plan to enrich Uranium up to 20 percent on its own. On 11 February Iranian President Ahmadinejad claimed that Iran had already enriched uranium up to 20 percent successfully. He went on to claim that his country has developed techniques to enrich Uranium up to 80 percent, should the need arouse. However, as of now Iran does not require Uranium enriched to such high degree he added.
Although these developments have caused much disquiet in the West, they have not been able to come up with concrete steps to stop Iran. Now that Sarkozy has also voiced his concern in strong words and called for immediate action against Iran, some stern actions can be expected in the coming days. The US may be able to bring Russia round. But nothing can be said with any degree of certainty how China would react.
Earlier China had opposed moves to impose sanctions on Iran. On 5 February Chinese Foreign minister was reported to have said “the parties concerned should with the over-all and long-tern interests in mind step up diplomatic efforts, stay patient and adopt a more flexible pragmatic and proactive policy”.
Will the Americans be able to win China over to their side is to be seen.
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