UK Expresses More Concerns Over Iran’s Nuclear Program
The British government today accused Iran of failing to cooperate with a United Nations watchdog. This failure has contributed to the UK becoming increasingly concerned with Iran’s nuclear program and whether or not they are creating nuclear weapons. A report by the UN nuclear watchdog states that Iran plans to start installing an extra 3,000 centrifuges that enrich uranium early next year in addition to the 3,800 already in operation and another 2,000 that are gradually being introduced. Thus far the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been unable to determine whether the enrichment of this uranium is for the purposes of creating nuclear weapons, and this possibility has led to much concern for Western nations such as the UK and the United States, along with the Western ally of Israel. Ahmadinejad’s previous comment that he would like to “wipe Israel off the map” make the possibility of Iran possessing weapons of mass destruction extremely worrisome. Iran has so far refused to answer questions from the IAEA, but continues to insist its uranium enrichment is merely for purposes of creating more electricity. British Foreign Secretary David Millband stated today that while Iran has been offered economic, cultural and scientific incentives to cease its uranium enrichment program, severe sanctions will also need to be enforced if Iran continues to disregard the requirements of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Britain, the United States, China, Russia, France and Germany have previously offered to halt seeking more sanctions if Iran agrees to stop this program. It appears that the long disagreement between much of the world and Iran regarding nuclear power is nowhere near a resolution, but the British are certainly refusing to give up.
Kayla Cahoon
