Post #5: Another Puzzle After Iran Moves Nuclear Fuel

Click here to read The New York Times article, "Another Puzzle After Iran Moves Nuclear Fuel," dated February 26, 2010. When Iran was discovered building a nuclear enrichment plant last September, no one would have predicted that Iran would transfer its entire stock of fuel to an above-ground facility. Two weeks ago, however, Iran moved the entirety of its fuel above ground, resulting in much speculation and debate regarding the country's intentions. Current theories suggest that Iran was trying to goad the Israelis into an attack or looking to win greater concessions in negotiations with the West. The Obama administration is subscribing to the idea that Iran had simply run out of storage space below ground. Much confusion continues to surround the issue. Since October, unexpected events have occurred beginning with President Ahmadinejad's move away from a deal with the West and culminating with Iran's declaration that it will soon manufacture 10 new plants, a number far exceeding its capacity, and its refusal to respond to inspectors about potential weapon development. In addition to evaluating Iran's technical abilities, the United States is trying to understand Iran's political goals. This whole debate was sparked by a sentence in the International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report claiming that Iran had transported 4,300 pound of uranium to a small storage plant above ground for enrichment to 20 percent. Americans continue to remain distant due to the issue's reliance on three uncertainties: the possibility of an Israeli attack leading to a Middle Eastern war, or an end to enrichment via sanctions and diplomacy, and the question as to who has control of Iran's nuclear program. One speculation that has had much consideration is the idea that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is hoping for an attack to bring together the country after months of violence and protest by Iranian citizen's, culminating in the renouncement of the Nuclear Noproliferation Treaty. Others support the theory of brinkmanship and believe the Iranians are hoping to use threats to gain greater concessions from Western powers. Some claim that the move was just a mistake or that Iran had no other choice. Regardless of the cause, the Obama administration is set on preventing military action by the Israelis. This article is important because it deals with both international relations and diplomacy, as well as the legitimacy of the Iranian government.

Thanks to geographyphotos of flickr for the image!

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