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Ear to the Ground

Iran Reaches Nuke Landmark

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Posted on Nov 7, 2007
Iran uranium plant
AP photo / Vahid Salemi

Energy for the people or uranium for bombs?  A technician works at Iran’s Uranium Conversion Facility south of Tehran.

Iran is another step closer to reaching its long-term nuclear goals, now that 3,000 centrifuges are up and running as part of its uranium enrichment program. Some experts in the West say 3,000 centrifuges technically could be sufficient to produce a nuclear weapon within a year.


AP via the Jerusalem Post:

[President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad on Wednesday reiterated his rejection of any suspension of Iran’s enrichment activities, or even a compromise over how Teheran will proceed beyond the 3,000 centrifuges.

“They say they’ve swallowed (bitterly accepted) these 3,000 and want to reach an agreement with us on what to do, at what speed, how many (centrifuges) a day or week,” Ahmadinejad said of latest Western pressures.

“Our response is: ‘Who are you to make comments about the Iranian nation ... do we ask you how many machines you have,’ ” Ahmadinejad added.
He also said he had bluntly refused a recent offer to negotiate with the United States over Iran’s nuclear activities.

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By 1drees, November 26, 2007 at 6:38 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

hey they paid for it, they manufactured it, its in their house, its their business, and frankly seems that they are able to do what they put their mind to.
The whacko Zionists can make all the noise and lame excuses and stories that they want but IRAN seems to be going towards NUclear Power fast, ZIONISTS MUST BE GREEN WITH JEALOUSY!

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By James, November 15, 2007 at 1:59 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

We have defended Isreal because of the Soviet Union potential hold of middle eastern countries. Now that there is no Soviet Union the issue is oil. Oddly enough Russia has a bargaining tool as it supplies oil to the west it also can bring us to our knees as it forces us to exhaust resources in a no win war.

China and India both need oil and Iran is supplying them both producing a powerful GDP for Iran. If Iran signed an aliance with Russia and China I dont expect the U.S. nor Isreal could do a thing with out a full scale war. Since Isreal has the bomb whats the big deal of Iran getting one.

Detente I recall was made so each could mutual destroy each other. Its not likely that either would ever use them so why this contempt for Iran to have it. The leader of Iran quotes scripture that Isreal should be wiped out does not mean he desires that land destroyed.

Iran desires a wrong corrected made by the UN that took land from Palestine displacing 800000 arabs that created Isreal of today. Isreal was destroyed 1000’s of years ago. Creating it because of the atrocity of WWII was a wrong correcting a wrong. In likeness during the 60’s the Blacks wanted to create its own country too by annexing 3 states Goergia, Alabama and Mississippi for retribution of slavery that the United states did to that race. Did it happen?

Perhaps if Isreal were to pay for the land that displaced so many peace might be better served. Since 20% of all foriegn aid from the U.S. goes to Isreal those funds might settle this long feud.

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driving bear's avatar

By driving bear, November 8, 2007 at 8:14 pm Link to this comment

reply to #112341 by fammypack on 11/08 at 7:58 am

When discussing Israel’s arsenal of nuke a few things need to be taken into account.

First Israel has had nukes since the 1960’s and has never used them.

Second Israel nuke arsenal has about 400 weapons today.

3rd Israel has both 1st and 2nd strike capability

4th Most of Israel’s nukes are deployed on “boomers”  so a preemptive strike to take them out would not work.

5th according to US Navy sources including US boomer captains who have been on patrol in Israel’s boats Israel’s navy in terms of it’s boomers is as good as the The US Navy

6th Every member of Israel armed forces takes the oath “Masada shall not fall again” when they join up.

So if Iran gets the bomb the world is in essence betting that the Iran and mad mullahs will behave in a sane fashion with nukes. I for one will not take that bet.

Also the left is in essence placing the safety of the world on the word of Iran that they are not trying to make a bomb. I for one don’t buy that either.

Iran shows no sign of backing down , So in essence it a recipe for war.

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By michael dragoo, November 8, 2007 at 4:31 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

No, it doesn’t. Israel is a non-signatory to the NPT protocols. Therefore, it is not legally bound to any of its provisions, unlike Iran, which is abrogating its signed obligations. Iran’s actions are illegal and is the outlaw. Israel is not.

I believe that under the NPT treaty Iran is able to use nuclear for peacefull purpose like generating power.  Will bushy says they are trying to build a bomb he has produce no proof and iran has let inspectors in.

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By politicalinsurgent, November 8, 2007 at 3:20 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)


By fammypack

The Iranians know that Israel has never threatened any nation with the use of nuclear weapons, let alone even acknowleged possession of nuclear weapons.

Isreal doesn’t need to acknowledge that they have nukes. It doesn’t need to threaten anyone either. The US and Isreal are like *this*. They could collectively blow Iran, and any other country dumb enough to be able to defend itself against imperialist regimes, off the map..if they really wanted to.

But then the rest of the world would fear and hate them…more.

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Leefeller's avatar

By Leefeller, November 8, 2007 at 1:16 pm Link to this comment

Always remember Archie Bunker,  proposal to stop airplane hijackings, he said they should issue guns to everyone and all the passengers on the plane.  Maybe we should do that with bombs to all the countries in the world.

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By lilmamzer, November 8, 2007 at 11:07 am Link to this comment

#112246 by driving bear

Looks like we will be going to war with Iran soon.

Faster, please.

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By Dan, November 8, 2007 at 10:27 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Cyrus… thank you, exceptional comment.

Did we all forget what Scott Ritter mentioned?  It’s not like mereley possessing these centrifuges is going to magically create a bomb.  They need way more and other mechanisms first.  Lets also not forget that it’s not easy to build a nuke, how long did it take the best scientists in the world to figure out how to properly shape the charges for the core of the bomb?  Years. 

Besides enriching Uranium is already hard enough.  The whole process is extremely difficult.  IF they can keep all 3k running for a year what would they get?  Not that much. 

I think there are figures on the net on roughly how many enrichment facilities are needed to make a high yield nuke, and I’m willing to bet it counts a lot more than 3000 centrifuges over 1 year.

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By fammypack, November 8, 2007 at 8:58 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

#112275 by thomas billis

Since Israel has an illegal nuclear program by international standards

No, it doesn’t. Israel is a non-signatory to the NPT protocols. Therefore, it is not legally bound to any of its provisions, unlike Iran, which is abrogating its signed obligations. Iran’s actions are illegal and is the outlaw. Israel is not.

The Iranians know that Israel has nuclear weapons and I am sure they feel that to be on a par with Israel they must have them also.?

The Iranians know that Israel has never threatened any nation with the use of nuclear weapons, let alone even acknowleged possession of nuclear weapons. The Iranians are the belligerants; that is why even Europe is moving towards tougher sanctions and even military force to prevent the Islamist mullahs in Teheran from acquiring nuclear weapons. They see an Islamist-ruled Iran for the threat that it is.

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By ocjim, November 8, 2007 at 8:00 am Link to this comment

For the Bush regime, the timing is not right for attacking Iran. The plan is to wait until Hillary has the nomination locked. Then the air attacks will begin. When Iran retaliates, that will draw support from the American people and advance the Republican candidates, all with testostorone-laced candidacies (did you wonder why the leading Repubican candidate are so warlike). As a woman, this will weaken Hillary, who is already the nominee.

Bushco has great political strategy but no plan to effectively lead: Katrina, Iraq, global warming, immigration, etc.

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By Cyrus, November 8, 2007 at 5:33 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

The 3000 centrifuges make LOW ENRICHED URANIUM that CANNOT BE USED TO MAKE BOMBS - and oh, they’re CONSTANTLY MONITORED BY THE IAEA.

So stop feeding the hype.

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By thomas billis, November 8, 2007 at 3:54 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Since Israel has an illegal nuclear program by international standards that we propose that Iran drop there nuclear ambitions if Israel will close theirs down.The Iranians know that Israel has nuclear weapons and I am sure they feel that to be on a par with Israel they must have them also.Let us propose it and see what happens?

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driving bear's avatar

By driving bear, November 7, 2007 at 10:59 pm Link to this comment

Looks like we will be going to war with Iran soon.

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By DennisD, November 7, 2007 at 8:01 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

And just how the hell was I supposed to know this was coming; no advertisements, balloons, music, champagne or Paris Hilton attending this milestone means no “newz” coverage in this country.

Get your act together Ahmadinejad and give us a running count now and then so I’ll know when I can stop paying my bills in the non-future. Thank you.

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By rodney, November 7, 2007 at 7:13 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Can anybody make sure that A Q Kahn doesn’t slip off into Iran while no one is watching.

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