Iran Nuclear Watch: Rafsanjani – Sanctions FUTILE

A security policeman works at an Uranium Conversion Facility in Isfahan 340 km (211 miles) south of the Iranian capital Tehran March 30, 2005. Iran removed U.N. seals at its uranium-enrichment plant and resumed nuclear fuel research on Tuesday, drawing sharp criticism from the West which fears Tehran is bent on acquiring the means to build atomic bombs.

Reuters: Sanctions cannot solve Iran nuclear row: Rafsanjani

Influential former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Wednesday dismissed as futile any move to slap sanctions on Iran for its nuclear fuel program, which the West suspects is aimed at developing bombs.

Iran removed UN seals at uranium enrichment research facilities on Tuesday and announced it would resume “research and development” on producing uranium fuel, prompting angry reactions from Washington, the
European Union and Russia.

The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain will meet in Berlin on Thursday to discuss the crisis caused by Iran’s move to reactivate a nuclear fuel program mothballed under a November 2004 deal with the EU trio.

Iran’s action had sent shockwaves through oil markets on Tuesday, helping push up the price of crude for a while.

The Quotes from Rafsanjani:

“Adopting harsh measures like imposing sanctions cannot bring about the desired outcome,” Rafsanjani said at Tehran University in a sermon to mark the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival.

“We will stand by our right to nuclear technology. They will regret creating any problems for us,” he told worshippers, without elaborating.

Neither the EU nor Washington is actively calling for sanctions against Iran, which insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, but they have not ruled out the possibility.

The United States already has a full embargo against Iran, but the EU could impose painful trade restrictions.

German Deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler said the “EU3” had no choice but to end talks with Iran unless it promised not to begin enriching uranium.

The European Union reaction to these developments are too little too late.

Does anyone think that Russia and China who economic interests in Iran will allow sanctions against their trading partners?

Is Iran inviting a military operation?

Indeed they are.

Stay tuned…….

Previous:

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