Iran has two nuclear reactors, partially built by Russia. These reactors are for energy purposes, at least that's what Iran is saying. I find that highly ironic. Iran possess plenty of oil and natural gas to make any usage of petroleum based energy much more economic than two nuclear power plants. Seems to me that they are building nukes. Remember Saddam Hussein claimed that the Osirik nuclear reactor, built by France in 1981, was needed for "energy production," the same nation that has the world's second largest oil reserves. Thank God the Israelis took out that reactor.

Do you think we'll do the same? Will it be a military strike or will diplomacy win out this one?

I think all nuclear weapons are wrong and far too dangerous for anyone to possess. The problem with taking them out is: what if they already have made nukes and would rather use them then loose thier ability to produce more. Nuclear disarmament needs to start with USA, Russia and China, in a united effort, remove all nuclear capability from India, pakistan, N.Korea, Iran and Israel (as well as any other dangerous countries I may have forgotten). And after the smaller and more dangerous players have been dealt with, then the three major ones can gradually reduce thier numbers in tandem. Our only hope IMHO is for us to get rid of all nukes, or quickly make some interplanatary colonies, if we don't want ourselves to become extinct. The only justification for nuclear weapons to me would be as a contingency weapon against Aliens or large asteroids. I think inspections should be started to ensure that Iran does not make nuclear weapons from these power plants, but don't destroy the plants, that would just be cruel and pointless denying them electricity. Oil is very polluting to burn for electricity, and more expensive in terms of using domestically versus selling it.

The funny thing is that Russia and French MUST HAVE KNOWN they were gonna use it for the development of nukes instead of energy (I mean If the man in the street can figure out 1 + 1 , surely Russia and French can)

Apparently, some people in the millitary-industrial complex don't give a rats ass about long term world safety but prefered short term profit instead....

any kind of prehistoric energy generation that's endangering the whole of humanity is wrong and wrong and WRONG.

Humans need not to seek personal benefit, but personal improvement.

Humans need not to destroy themselves, if they just would look up and dream about prosperous things in the service of all mankind,....suporting eachother, instead of destructing, obstructing and concealing 'the truth'

These are the ways that have been forced onto the peoples of this planet, by a succession of generations of conquerers, enslaving all into this big machinery wich by themselves, they call:

'The system'


There is no other way then to let them destroy themselves, and to build another future for humankind,....

These are hardened and reinforced facilities. They are built to withstand a tactical nuke. Iran is an extremist government that doesn't want to share the same fate as iraq so of coarse they are going to want nukes. It is a deterant. We have more and if they use them against isreal or us I think we should melt them down into a glass plate with ours. We reasurance that the un will stay out of it because they started it.

There will be an endless line of nations challenging the Bush Doctrine, until it is consigned to the proverbial ash-heap of history. America does hot have the understanding, authority or resources to dominate the world- Only the hubris to try.

There could be some question over whether these facilities can (and will) be used to develop weapons, but I'm fairly satisfied that they are. The decision by Iran to mine their own uranium for fuel (originally concerns were assuaged by Russian promises to supply and dsipose of all fuel for the duration of the plant operations) is a key signal there is a weapons programme.

My question to you all is should we do anything about it? Iran has frequently said it would happily submit to constant inspection if there was a region-wide commtiment to forbid nucelar weapons - stretching from Israel to India. Needless to say the nuclear 'haves' refuse.

Iran has not invaded any neighbouring countries in recent memory, has been subject to numerous attacks and agitation (including a US sponsored coup) from outside and has not posed a threat to its negihbours. The inbalance of power in the region though is a strong motavation for acquiring suche weapons. Russia, Israel, )Pakistan and India all have nuclear arms in the region and with US forces in Afghanisatna and (soon) Iraq is it any wonder Iran feels threatened? The balance of power worked during the Cold War and has so far not resulted in war in Kashmir, perhaps the region is safer with a nulcear armed Iran? It is insecurity, not security that breeds wars.

Iran has a legitmiate case for acquiring nuclear weapons.

Okay M.A.D. strategy worked to maintain the balance when the nukes where in the hands of rational people, but I am a bit worried what's gonna happen if religious nutters have access to "gods arrows". Maybe they are sure there is life after death but I don't wanna bet on it...

Right now, you don't really know WHO is stirring the wheel in teheran, is it the moderates? or is the moderates just as front-end of the mullahs for the outside world to see, until nukes are in place...

Is there any proof that Iran has been using these plants to create nukes? Well as close to proof as possible - any links to any stories?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by blankc
Nuclear disarmament needs to start with USA, Russia and China, in a united effort, remove all nuclear capability from India, pakistan, N.Korea, Iran and Israel (as well as any other dangerous countries I may have forgotten). And after the smaller and more dangerous players have been dealt with, then the three major ones can gradually reduce thier numbers in tandem. QUOTE]

I believe after the collapse of the USSR that the Ukraine became the 3rd largest nuclear power in the world behind the US and Russia. Britain and France also have significant nuclear arsenals.

There are already nutters with Nukes "Gods arrows".
One of them...ill give you a clue..G "Something" B

Iran has Nuclear weapons? Great!
The playing field should be leveled. Only then, there is a chance for diplomacy and peace.
It also makes a war with Iraq even more absurd. It may, just maybe, be a significant factor preventing the Iraq war (I’m still hopeful).

naw we don't have the resources because we gave it to the japs. The next evolution of the military is coming through the use of strike drones. To dominate with these one needs the best and they need large numbers of them. To have either something serious must happen in america or it will be us on the heap of history's trash.