Karen Gordon
2005-02-07 00:54:10 UTC
Iran 'to retaliate if US attacks'
Iran's top nuclear negotiator says Iran will retaliate and accelerate its
efforts to develop nuclear technology if attacked by the US or Israel.
Hassan Rohani told Reuters news agency there was nothing the West could do
that would persuade Tehran to scrap its nuclear programme.
Both the US and Israel have said it would be unacceptable for Iran to have
nuclear weapons.
Iran says its nuclear programme will be used to generate electricity.
The US has refused to rule out a military strike on Iran, but has said it
will try to resolve the dispute by diplomatic means.
_________________________________
(K): And let's look at what the feelings of people around the world are on
this next explosive issue. You can see the anti-Americanism growing as the
Bush machine wages wars around the globe ......
___________________________
Should Iran suspend its nuclear programme?
Iran has not yet completed suspension of its uranium enrichment programme,
says the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The report by Mohamed El Baradei comes as the UN agency meets in Vienna to
discuss the country's compliance.
Tehran agreed to halt its enrichment programme last week but has asked for
an amendment to the terms of last week's deal to allow continued research.
However, France, Germany and Britain who helped bring about the original
suspension, have reportedly refused permission.
Should Iran be given more time to suspend its uranium enrichment
programme? Are you concerned about Iran's nuclear research programme? What
should the UN do?
_______________________________
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we received:
Iran has two alternatives, scrap your nuclear weapons program and be
invaded or develop and/or possibly test a nuclear weapon and everyone
stays well clear. Iraq is proof of the former and North Korea proof the
latter is true. We now live in a world where 'might is right'.
- Dylan, London UK
Given Iraq was attacked for no good reason except regime change, the only
way to hold America at bay is through a nuclear deterrent. I have no wish
to see Iran become a nuclear power but Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive
strikes has given them no other option.
- Andy, UK
I am an Iranian and I don't like and don't trust the hardliners in power
in Iran. But I hate their counter-parts in US even more and I cannot
tolerate seeing the same thing happening to us as happened in Iraq. Our
move toward democracy was halted once before by US (the coup of 1953) and
I think we deserve to do anything, including developing nuclear weapons,
to prevent such a thing from happening again.
- Mohammad S., Canada
I can't see any reason why they should be barred from pursuing these
technologies. Only one nation on earth has ever used a nuclear device and
I don't see the rest of the planet clamouring for them to give them up.
- Pete, Cambridge UK
Why another Muslim country? Hasn't this crusade gone too far and when will
the Muslim leaders wake up? The UN should try speaking to defiant Israel!
- Mullah Hafeezud Din, Birmingham, UK
No. Iran should not have nuclear weapons. It seems that the majority of
the people on this board can't see the long term consequences of this. You
all just don't understand. The implications this could cause are
tremendous. We have North Korea right next door. We don't need another in
the Middle East.
- Tsutomu, Yokohama, Japan
Iran has as much right to nuclear weapons as any other country. I don't
see the EU and US demanding to inspect Israel's nuclear facilities. Why
the double standard?
- Samuel T, Canada
Given a choice I would trust Iran more than the neo cons sitting in
Washington. Iran has never in the past given any indication that it had
any aggressive intent towards any of its neighbouring countries. And it
has reasons to be worried about its security with neighbours like Israel
and Iraq where more than a 100,000 US troops are based.
- R. Venugopal, Delhi, India
The Iranians would be crazy to abandon their nuclear programme. In the end
the world would be a safer place and there would be greater justice, if
powers are balanced in the Middle East. I personally hope they get their
nukes.
- Jose R. Pardinas, Miami, USA
Iran has every right to defend itself. The USA has already hinted that it
has plans to invade so what option does Iran have other than to develop
the weapons necessary for its defence against an unprovoked attack by
superpower?
- Peter, Welwyn, England
I think Iran should pull out of this agreement which was signed by the
previous foreign elected regime(s) and put a stop to this charade of
double standards and nepotism.
- Fari Jannati, Leeds, UK
Iran has all the rights to a more advanced and complete uranium enrichment
programme. Iran is the most democratic regime in the Middle East, hence it
poses no threat whatsoever to its immediate neighbours.
- Akbar, Ontario
If it is okay for Israel to have nuclear weapons and the US is building
and designing hand grenade size bombs then I see no problem with Iran
having nuclear weapons.
- Frank John, Burlington Canada
If countries such as North Korea, Israel and Pakistan have Nuclear weapons
programmes how can the International community (America in particular)
have the audacity to threaten Iran into submission. Until these double
standards cease to exist, Iran should continue with its nuclear programme.
- G, Herts
The only way to ensure their security is to have a suitable deterrent
James, Newcastle, UK
Ending the WMD programmes will not prevent invasion from a hostile foreign
power. The only way to ensure their security is to have a suitable
deterrent. Their neighbours Iraq scrapped their WMD programmes and soon as
they were suitably defenceless they were invaded. No state rogue or
otherwise will now believe that complying with UN resolutions or appeasing
a more powerful enemy will prevent attack. The USA's policy of 'Might is
Right' is now to be cascaded throughout the world.
James, Newcastle, UK
Iran having nuclear weapons is no scarier than Blair or Bush having them,
if a nuclear war starts then every country in the world will suffer
massive losses. Either in the explosions, the radiation, the climate
change, the complete collapse of their economy or any of the other
consequences. If a militant group manages to get hold of one, do they
think America would not retaliate?
Chris, UK
If I were an Iranian, I would be thinking we must develop a nuclear weapon
somehow, otherwise it's only a matter of time before we are invaded. Once
we have our weapon no one will dare. One way or another we have to have
one.
Terry M, Walton surrey
Iran is probably afraid of suffering the same fate as Iraq, and view a
nuclear arsenal as the only effective deterrent against a US-led invasion.
I don't believe they are enriching uranium for any other purpose
(including energy). It is hardly coincidental that North Korea also has a
nuclear programme, as both countries are on George W Bush's list of rogue
states, coined the "Axis of Evil". Ironically, by bolstering their
defences, the US will interpret them as the aggressors. Perhaps Iran feels
it has nothing to lose.
Andy Bird, Cheshire, UK
Well, if they want to keep The American "democracy" away, then they should
have a nuclear weapon as fast as possible, Bush still has 4 years to
finish his project.
Ahmad, Jordan
There are legitimate reasons to pursue Nuclear energy, but when it pushes
your nation to the brink of war it may be time to drop the research. The
fact that the Iranian government is so uncooperative with the
international community, not on this but on virtually every issue brought
before it, is concern enough. In my view, Iran is run by a belligerent
theocracy that has done everything within its power to alienate itself
from the rest of the world, God help the citizens of Iran if their
leadership keeps this up.
Philip, Ottawa, Canada
--
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
A truth spoken before its time is dangerous
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Iran's top nuclear negotiator says Iran will retaliate and accelerate its
efforts to develop nuclear technology if attacked by the US or Israel.
Hassan Rohani told Reuters news agency there was nothing the West could do
that would persuade Tehran to scrap its nuclear programme.
Both the US and Israel have said it would be unacceptable for Iran to have
nuclear weapons.
Iran says its nuclear programme will be used to generate electricity.
The US has refused to rule out a military strike on Iran, but has said it
will try to resolve the dispute by diplomatic means.
_________________________________
(K): And let's look at what the feelings of people around the world are on
this next explosive issue. You can see the anti-Americanism growing as the
Bush machine wages wars around the globe ......
___________________________
Should Iran suspend its nuclear programme?
Iran has not yet completed suspension of its uranium enrichment programme,
says the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The report by Mohamed El Baradei comes as the UN agency meets in Vienna to
discuss the country's compliance.
Tehran agreed to halt its enrichment programme last week but has asked for
an amendment to the terms of last week's deal to allow continued research.
However, France, Germany and Britain who helped bring about the original
suspension, have reportedly refused permission.
Should Iran be given more time to suspend its uranium enrichment
programme? Are you concerned about Iran's nuclear research programme? What
should the UN do?
_______________________________
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we received:
Iran has two alternatives, scrap your nuclear weapons program and be
invaded or develop and/or possibly test a nuclear weapon and everyone
stays well clear. Iraq is proof of the former and North Korea proof the
latter is true. We now live in a world where 'might is right'.
- Dylan, London UK
Given Iraq was attacked for no good reason except regime change, the only
way to hold America at bay is through a nuclear deterrent. I have no wish
to see Iran become a nuclear power but Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive
strikes has given them no other option.
- Andy, UK
I am an Iranian and I don't like and don't trust the hardliners in power
in Iran. But I hate their counter-parts in US even more and I cannot
tolerate seeing the same thing happening to us as happened in Iraq. Our
move toward democracy was halted once before by US (the coup of 1953) and
I think we deserve to do anything, including developing nuclear weapons,
to prevent such a thing from happening again.
- Mohammad S., Canada
I can't see any reason why they should be barred from pursuing these
technologies. Only one nation on earth has ever used a nuclear device and
I don't see the rest of the planet clamouring for them to give them up.
- Pete, Cambridge UK
Why another Muslim country? Hasn't this crusade gone too far and when will
the Muslim leaders wake up? The UN should try speaking to defiant Israel!
- Mullah Hafeezud Din, Birmingham, UK
No. Iran should not have nuclear weapons. It seems that the majority of
the people on this board can't see the long term consequences of this. You
all just don't understand. The implications this could cause are
tremendous. We have North Korea right next door. We don't need another in
the Middle East.
- Tsutomu, Yokohama, Japan
Iran has as much right to nuclear weapons as any other country. I don't
see the EU and US demanding to inspect Israel's nuclear facilities. Why
the double standard?
- Samuel T, Canada
Given a choice I would trust Iran more than the neo cons sitting in
Washington. Iran has never in the past given any indication that it had
any aggressive intent towards any of its neighbouring countries. And it
has reasons to be worried about its security with neighbours like Israel
and Iraq where more than a 100,000 US troops are based.
- R. Venugopal, Delhi, India
The Iranians would be crazy to abandon their nuclear programme. In the end
the world would be a safer place and there would be greater justice, if
powers are balanced in the Middle East. I personally hope they get their
nukes.
- Jose R. Pardinas, Miami, USA
Iran has every right to defend itself. The USA has already hinted that it
has plans to invade so what option does Iran have other than to develop
the weapons necessary for its defence against an unprovoked attack by
superpower?
- Peter, Welwyn, England
I think Iran should pull out of this agreement which was signed by the
previous foreign elected regime(s) and put a stop to this charade of
double standards and nepotism.
- Fari Jannati, Leeds, UK
Iran has all the rights to a more advanced and complete uranium enrichment
programme. Iran is the most democratic regime in the Middle East, hence it
poses no threat whatsoever to its immediate neighbours.
- Akbar, Ontario
If it is okay for Israel to have nuclear weapons and the US is building
and designing hand grenade size bombs then I see no problem with Iran
having nuclear weapons.
- Frank John, Burlington Canada
If countries such as North Korea, Israel and Pakistan have Nuclear weapons
programmes how can the International community (America in particular)
have the audacity to threaten Iran into submission. Until these double
standards cease to exist, Iran should continue with its nuclear programme.
- G, Herts
The only way to ensure their security is to have a suitable deterrent
James, Newcastle, UK
Ending the WMD programmes will not prevent invasion from a hostile foreign
power. The only way to ensure their security is to have a suitable
deterrent. Their neighbours Iraq scrapped their WMD programmes and soon as
they were suitably defenceless they were invaded. No state rogue or
otherwise will now believe that complying with UN resolutions or appeasing
a more powerful enemy will prevent attack. The USA's policy of 'Might is
Right' is now to be cascaded throughout the world.
James, Newcastle, UK
Iran having nuclear weapons is no scarier than Blair or Bush having them,
if a nuclear war starts then every country in the world will suffer
massive losses. Either in the explosions, the radiation, the climate
change, the complete collapse of their economy or any of the other
consequences. If a militant group manages to get hold of one, do they
think America would not retaliate?
Chris, UK
If I were an Iranian, I would be thinking we must develop a nuclear weapon
somehow, otherwise it's only a matter of time before we are invaded. Once
we have our weapon no one will dare. One way or another we have to have
one.
Terry M, Walton surrey
Iran is probably afraid of suffering the same fate as Iraq, and view a
nuclear arsenal as the only effective deterrent against a US-led invasion.
I don't believe they are enriching uranium for any other purpose
(including energy). It is hardly coincidental that North Korea also has a
nuclear programme, as both countries are on George W Bush's list of rogue
states, coined the "Axis of Evil". Ironically, by bolstering their
defences, the US will interpret them as the aggressors. Perhaps Iran feels
it has nothing to lose.
Andy Bird, Cheshire, UK
Well, if they want to keep The American "democracy" away, then they should
have a nuclear weapon as fast as possible, Bush still has 4 years to
finish his project.
Ahmad, Jordan
There are legitimate reasons to pursue Nuclear energy, but when it pushes
your nation to the brink of war it may be time to drop the research. The
fact that the Iranian government is so uncooperative with the
international community, not on this but on virtually every issue brought
before it, is concern enough. In my view, Iran is run by a belligerent
theocracy that has done everything within its power to alienate itself
from the rest of the world, God help the citizens of Iran if their
leadership keeps this up.
Philip, Ottawa, Canada
--
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
A truth spoken before its time is dangerous
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""