As the US government and media continues to ratchet up the rhetoric about “crippling sanctions” and the “military option” concerning the Iranian nuclear enrichment program (See here), one can only wonder if anyone in power in the west is listening to what is going on in Iran.
Following the brief dialogue between US and Iranian officials last year, the Iranian regime agreed to a swap of Iranian produced low enriched uranium (LEU) for more highly enriched fuel rods to be used in the medical Tehran Research Reactor (TRR). This action by the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was attacked by both the political left and right in Iran for giving up Iran’s rights to enrich uranium and getting nothing in return.
Since this discussion took place during a period of political unrest in Iran, Ahmadinejad did not feel politically secure enough to move forward and backed away from the proposal. It now appears that, having been able to control the opposition movement, he is more confident.
This week Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed the Iranian position as outlined by Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization in previous statements.
“If we had 116 kilograms [of finished fuel for the TRR] today, I assure you that tomorrow I will get you 1,200 [kilograms of LEU] from Iran”.
“The mere fact that we’ve offered not to enrich uranium to 20 percent, this was a big message sent to the West. But unfortunately they did not receive the message. I remember in many interviews I said, ‘Please. Please listen. This is a big offer…We keep our promise of [only enriching up to] 5 percent, although it is our right to enrich to whatever level we want. But we keep our promise to 5 percent. And please enrich for us the 20 percent.’ But they didn’t. They started putting conditions after conditions after conditions. And then we had to start 20 percent enrichment. And now I am saying we are ready if they—today—say ‘OK, we will supply you the fuel’, we will stop the 20 percent enrichment process. What else do you want?”
“the only difference between us is that the swap has to be made in Iran. And they say, ‘No, first you have to deliver your uranium to us, and then wait another one year to receive your 20 percent enriched uranium.’ But there is lack of confidence, unfortunately.”
It seems to me that if your adversary says “yes” to your proposal, you should take them up on it rather than continually threatening conflict and attacks.
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