Iran completes process of eliminating enriched uranium

[dunksby]

Iran has turned all of its enriched uranium closest to the level needed to make nuclear arms into more harmless forms, the UN nuclear agency says.

The conversion of its stock of 20%-enriched uranium was part of a deal to curb Iran's nuclear programme.

The US said last week it would unblock $2.8bn in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran's compliance.

A four-month extension to talks on Iran's nuclear ambitions was agreed on Friday between Iran and world powers.

The talks are aimed at persuading Iran to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

The six world powers involved in the talks - the US, France, China, Russia, Germany and the UK - suspect Iran seeks atomic weapons, which Iran denies.

The country insists that it is enriching uranium for use in nuclear power stations and for medical purposes.
Promising sign

Correspondents say Iran's completion of eliminating its most worrying uranium stockpile is a promising sign that its leaders do not want to derail the diplomatic process.

A new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran is observing all of its other commitments as well.

Iran had more than 200kg of 20%-enriched uranium when the preliminary agreement to convert it was reached last November.

At 20%, enriched uranium can be converted quickly to arm a nuclear weapon and experts said 200kg was enough to make one nuclear warhead.
Negotiations between the six powers and Iran are set to resume in September, with the deadline for an agreement on 24 November.

Despite the news, the BBC's Bethany Bell says a long-term solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions still seems a long way off.

The parties have been unable to reach agreement on imposing long-term restrictions over Iran's uranium enrichment and plutonium production - processes that could yield material for nuclear warheads.

In a joint statement after last week's talks, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said: "There are still significant gaps on some core issues which will require more time and effort."

A deal could see the lifting of oil and trade sanctions on Iran.
Amongst all the chaos and bad news, this one seems like a positive one. Still it irks me how world powers have reacted over Iran's nuclear venture, such double standard.

[Godzuki]

If Iran weren't run according to fundamentalist Islamic doctrine by a ayatollah, with a history of some extremist religious law/expectations they place on the world, then i don't think people would be as worried. If they never threatened Israel so much i don't think Israel would have so much of a issue with them.

Anyways Iran hasn't been in the news so much for awhile it seems, but theres so much going on around the world so maybe thats why.

[KevinNYC]

Anyways Iran hasn't been in the news so much for awhile it seems, but theres so much going on around the world so maybe thats why.

Well we just agreed to extend the nuclear talks with them for 4 months
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/18/us-iran-nuclear-idUSKBN0FN27020140718

Iran is still a giant influence in Iraq. They are also keeping Assad in power in Syria.

Check out this article on the most powerful man in the middle east that no one has ever heard of. (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/30/the-shadow-commander?currentPage=all)

Iran knows how to operate quietly when it wants.

[NumberSix]

If Iran weren't run according to fundamentalist Islamic doctrine by a ayatollah, with a history of some extremist religious law/expectations they place on the world, then i don't think people would be as worried. If they never threatened Israel so much i don't think Israel would have so much of a issue with them.

Anyways Iran hasn't been in the news so much for awhile it seems, but theres so much going on around the world so maybe thats why.
Has nothing to do with anything. If you want to know what the real issue is between Iran and Israel, Google the word "quds".

[East_Stone_Ya]

Well we just agreed to extend the nuclear talks with them for 4 months
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/18/us-iran-nuclear-idUSKBN0FN27020140718

Iran is still a giant influence in Iraq. They are also keeping Assad in power in Syria.

Check out this article on the most powerful man in the middle east that no one has ever heard of. (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/30/the-shadow-commander?currentPage=all)

Iran knows how to operate quietly when it wants.

who is vital for Iran because through them they can influence Lebanon and control Hezbollah

[Godzuki]

Has nothing to do with anything. If you want to know what the real issue is between Iran and Israel, Google the word "quds".


no it has everything to do with everything....don't give me this old history shit of how it became what it became...i'm talking about the fear of current Iran by the rest of the world, and why that is these days....why there is a lack of trust of them acquiring nukes.

See Salomon Rushdie bounty...

see South Park threats...

[dunksby]

If Iran weren't run according to fundamentalist Islamic doctrine by a ayatollah, with a history of some extremist religious law/expectations they place on the world, then i don't think people would be as worried. If they never threatened Israel so much i don't think Israel would have so much of a issue with them.

Anyways Iran hasn't been in the news so much for awhile it seems, but theres so much going on around the world so maybe thats why.
Israel has more than 250 nukes and is more than capable of defending itself, and is Iran the only country to threaten another? Pakistan and India hate each other's gut and are not afraid to show it. Hell Pakistan hosts the highest number of Al-Q and other extremists in the world, why isn't anybody worried about that? After more than a decade Iran had enriched enough for one warhead, a sum that is no more anyway. Still seems 3+3 need more assurances and leverage.

[NumberSix]

no it has everything to do with everything....don't give me this old history shit of how it became what it became...i'm talking about the fear of current Iran by the rest of the world, and why that is these days....why there is a lack of trust of them acquiring nukes.

See Salomon Rushdie bounty...

see South Park threats...
So, you obviously didn't google it.

[Godzuki]

Israel has more than 250 nukes and is more than capable of defending itself, and is Iran the only country to threaten another? Pakistan and India hate each other's gut and are not afraid to show it. Hell Pakistan hosts the highest number of Al-Q and other extremists in the world, why isn't anybody worried about that? After more than a decade Iran had enriched enough for one warhead, a sum that is no more anyway. Still seems 3+3 need more assurances and leverage.


actually we are really worried about Pakistan...

but Iran has been front and center for a long time threatening Israel, and mocking the United States. Ahminijad didn't do Iran any favors being so course towards the rest of the world while he was President.

Again, watch the bounty clip by the Ayatolah of Iran...its nuts. its like a arena full of people in white going into a frenzy after their 'leader' puts a bounty on a Indian writer who apparently offended Mohammed.

As if threatening American TV stations all the way across the world wasn't bad enough for depicting Mohamed in a cartoon.....

i mean these are some very legit reasons for not trusting Iran with nukes when they're run by a fundamentalist at the top. everyone else are just pawns.

[NumberSix]

actually we are really worried about Pakistan...

but Iran has been front and center for a long time threatening Israel, and mocking the United States. Ahminijad didn't do Iran any favors being so course towards the rest of the world while he was President.

Again, watch the bounty clip by the Ayatolah of Iran...its nuts. its like a arena full of people in white going into a frenzy after their 'leader' puts a bounty on a Indian writer who apparently offended Mohammed.

As if threatening American TV stations all the way across the world wasn't bad enough for depicting Mohamed in a cartoon.....
Who cares? I'm not Israeli or Iranian. What the hell do I care if they have beef?

[Godzuki]

Who cares? I'm not Israeli or Iranian. What the hell do I care if they have beef?


lmao u always pull this idc card whenever someone makes a point against Palestine or pro Muslim arguments....you definitely do care and are bias towards the muslim side. Stop fronting bro.

[NumberSix]

lmao u always pull this idc card whenever someone makes a point against Palestine or pro Muslim arguments....you definitely do care and are bias towards the muslim side. Stop fronting bro.
If you think I of all people am somehow pro Muslim, you haven't been paying attention.

[Godzuki]

If you think I of all people am somehow pro Muslim, you haven't been paying attention.


actually i have...i don't mind it so much since you're smarter than i thought in some ways but i'll never agree with you politically...and i don't think you're being completely honest about being unbias for either Palestine/Israel conflict, let alone the whole Muslim world vs Israel ideals.

[NumberSix]

actually i have...i don't mind it so much since you're smarter than i thought in some ways but i'll never agree with you politically.
It obvious that You have no idea what I think politically. All you do is project your knee jerk assumptions onto me.

[Godzuki]

It obvious that You have no idea what I think politically. All you do is project your knee jerk assumptions onto me.


well you can argue the points i made, and i'd prefer you don't use history from over 20~ years ago playing the blame game with no practical current solution or recent history to your argument ever.....

but when i read ALL of your arguments, they're CLEARLY very Palestine/Muslim biased. I guess you're one of those dudes who are so bias you don't realize it.

[NumberSix]

actually i have...i don't mind it so much since you're smarter than i thought in some ways but i'll never agree with you politically...and i don't think you're being completely honest about being unbias for either Palestine/Israel conflict, let alone the whole Muslim world vs Israel ideals.
You people are so used to logical fallicies, strawman arguments, adding around and disingenuous arguments that when someone like me says things plainly and straight, you just can't comprehend it. You just can't even process it.

If you're unclear, ask anything you want and I'll answer it as simple and direct as possible.

[Godzuki]

You people are so used to logical fallicies, strawman arguments, adding around and disingenuous arguments that when someone like me says things plainly and straight, you just can't comprehend it. You just can't even process it.

If you're unclear, ask anything you want and I'll answer it as simple and direct as possible.

again feel free to shoot down what i just posted to reinforce how crazy the true leader of Iran is, and why they shouldn't have nukes.....

until then you're bias as fukk and one of them dudes who only knows a long time ago history to make all of his arguments playing the blame game w/ no practical solutions :rolleyes:

[NumberSix]

well you can argue the points i made, and i'd prefer you don't use history from over 20~ years ago playing the blame game with no practical current solution or recent history to your argument ever.....

but when i read ALL of your arguments, they're CLEARLY very Palestine/Muslim biased. I guess you're one of those dudes who are so bias you don't realize it.
I'm not talking about history. Like I said, you clearly didn't google it. I'll spell it out for you.

IRAN FUNDS TERRORISM AGAINST ISRAEL. THAT IS THE ISSUE. NOT STUPID THREATS.

As for me being biased towards Muslims, wow. How you got that. :confusedshrug: :confusedshrug:

[dunksby]

actually we are really worried about Pakistan...

but Iran has been front and center for a long time threatening Israel, and mocking the United States. Ahminijad didn't do Iran any favors being so course towards the rest of the world while he was President.

Again, watch the bounty clip by the Ayatolah of Iran...its nuts. its like a arena full of people in white going into a frenzy after their 'leader' puts a bounty on a Indian writer who apparently offended Mohammed.

As if threatening American TV stations all the way across the world wasn't bad enough for depicting Mohamed in a cartoon.....

i mean these are some very legit reasons for not trusting Iran with nukes when they're run by a fundamentalist at the top. everyone else are just pawns.
We as in who? USA has nothing to fear from Iran, all this bullshit rhetoric is for them to stay in power. The same ayatollah who asked for Rushdie's head forbid Iran's government from ever negotiating with the US, well that didn't last long did it? How many times have Iran actually targeted US land in an attack?

[LJJ]

It's great start towards better relationships between Iran and the west and so far Rouhani does look like he wants to make good on his message during the election and his progressive reputation.

But it still feels bitter in certain ways, because this feels like the theocratic government of Iran consolidating and strengthening it's power. Maintaining their status quo under the guise of progress. Iran has a conservative, Islamist government keeping a strong grip on a largely secular and religiously liberal population. As far as I'm concerned that makes Iran the only country in the ME that would really benefit from an Arab Spring type situation.

[Godzuki]

We as in who? USA has nothing to fear from Iran, all this bullshit rhetoric is for them to stay in power. The same ayatollah who asked for Rushdie's head forbid Iran's government from ever negotiating with the US, well that didn't last long did it? How many times have Iran actually targeted US land in an attack?


says you....you cannot refute the incidents i just posted. Rationalize them to me....you can't.

and now you're getting into US conspiracy at the top retard waters....(you quickly edited some of the U.S. stuff ^)

yeah its the same guy who is c8ckblocking your new progressive President and playing him as a pawn to make the world think they aren't so fundamentalist.

not saying Iran is all bad because there obviously is a progressive movement that is against their fundamentalist establishment...but make no mistake fundamentalist ideals still rule Iran.

[NumberSix]

again feel free to shoot down what i just posted to reinforce how crazy the true leader of Iran is, and why they shouldn't have nukes.....

until then you're bias as fukk and one of them dudes who only knows a long time ago history to make all of his arguments playing the blame game w/ no practical solutions :rolleyes:
What in the world makes you think I would have any desire to "shoot down" your claim of Iran being crazy and shouldn't have nukes? Has something given you the impression that I was aiming to refute that? What are you talking about? Always the strawman.

[Godzuki]

What in the world makes you think I would have any desire to "shoot down" your claim of Iran being crazy and shouldn't have nukes? Has something given you the impression that I was aiming to refute that? What are you talking about? Always the strawman.


well thats my main point, and i need that refuted before you can prove they're not nuts or don't deserve nukes which i THINK you were arguing by your rebuttle.

i don't need to google anything before you can do that.

[dunksby]

says you....you cannot refute the incidents i just posted. Rationalize them to me....you can't.

and now you're getting into US conspiracy at the top retard waters....

yeah its the same guy who is c8ckblocking your new progressive President and playing him as a pawn to make the world think they aren't so fundamentalist.

not saying Iran is all bad because there obviously is a progressive movement that is against their fundamentalist establishment...but make no mistake fundamentalist ideals still rule Iran.
WTF is that? I think I was clear with my point. :facepalm

[NumberSix]

well thats my main point, and i need that refuted before you can prove they're not nuts or don't deserve nukes which i THINK you were arguing by your rebuttle.

i don't need to google anything before you can do that.
Let me be completely clear.

Iran is a totalitarian country ruled by a backward, uncivilized Bronze Age cult (Islam) and uncivilized savages such as them of course should not have nuclear weapons. That is MY position. I don't know why you keep wanting me to refute my own opinion, but like I said. All you do is project your own knee jerk assumptions onto me.

[Godzuki]

You can't even spell rebuttal.


damn its been like 24 hours and BETA boy is still on ISH :oldlol:

[B-hoop]

I bet in 2-3 years we will read an article on how Iran had more enrich uranium stashed somewhere and ended up making a nuclear bomb anyway.

The technology to enrich uranium is a one-way street to building a nuclear bomb, once you have it to a certain point you can easily use it to build them.

The problem is how do you tell a country they cannot enrich uranium for energetical purposes?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Trusting Iran with nuclear weaponry is like trusting a proctologist to be sensitive when he is holding a two foot long probe...you know what you're going to get.

[Nanners]

Trusting Iran with nuclear weaponry is like trusting a proctologist to be sensitive when he is holding a two foot long probe...you know what you're going to get.
:rolleyes:

yeah, because iran has such a long history of aggression toward other countries. the last time they invaded or occupied another nation was 150 years ago.....

Iran would probably still be a secular democracy today if the US had not overthrown their government in 1953 when they tried to nationalize BPs oil fields.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

:rolleyes:

yeah, because iran has such a long history of aggression toward other countries. the last time they invaded or occupied another nation was 150 years ago.....

Iran would probably still be a secular democracy today if the US had not overthrown their government in 1953 when they tried to nationalize BPs oil fields.

What? Iran has never been truthful in any of these negotiations and there is truly no reason to believe them now. They are just finding better ways to hide their research and development and have been playing the delay game all along as a diversion from the truth: They want to and WILL develop a nuclear weapon.

Educate yourself.

[Nanners]

What? Iran has never been truthful in any of these negotiations and there is truly no reason to believe them now. They are just finding better ways to hide their research and development and have been playing the delay game all along as a diversion from the truth: They want to and WILL develop a nuclear weapon.

Educate yourself.

citation needed

[Godzuki]

:rolleyes:

yeah, because iran has such a long history of aggression toward other countries. the last time they invaded or occupied another nation was 150 years ago.....

Iran would probably still be a secular democracy today if the US had not overthrown their government in 1953 when they tried to nationalize BPs oil fields.


should've, would've, could've....ancient history again and nothing current/recent.

i swear way too many people on ISH argue like this with no practical solutions or current events realism...just history of they deserve of this or that, and IF you did this things wouldn't be like that...fukkin useless drivel :facepalm

[NumberSix]

What? Iran has never been truthful in any of these negotiations and there is truly no reason to believe them now. They are just finding better ways to hide their research and development and have been playing the delay game all along as a diversion from the truth: They want to and WILL develop a nuclear weapon.

Educate yourself.
Why should we even care what Iran is or isn't doing? It's like telling me which gangs are doing what in which Chicago neighbourhood when none of us live remotely close to Chicago

(WARNING. It's an imaginary example. I know some of us actually do live in Chicago, but apparently on this board people frequently have difficultly discerning the literal from the figurative)

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

citation needed

I'm doing your homework:
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Guest+editorial+Iran+trusted+develop+nuclear+weapo n/9225466/story.html

[Godzuki]

Why should we even care what Iran is or isn't doing? It's like telling me which gangs are doing what in which Chicago neighbourhood when none of us live remotely close to Chicago

(WARNING. It's an imaginary example. I know some of us actually do live in Chicago, but apparently on this board people frequently have difficultly discerning the literal from the figurative)


lol u ALWAYS playing this IDC card to counter everything you can't really counter :facepalm

and that analogy is ReAALLY f'in bad....we care to know if we're interested in Chicago crimes from the news obviously. it might not be picture perfect but i guarantee we're a lot more knowledgable of it than somebody who doesn't care or watch that news at all. Living in Chicago or not :P

[NumberSix]

should've, would've, could've....ancient history again and nothing current/recent.

i swear way too many people on ISH argue like this with no practical solutions or current events realism...just history of they deserve of this or that, and IF you did this things wouldn't be like that...fukkin useless drivel :facepalm
Why is it our job to have solutions for problems on the other side of the world?

Here's my solution. We stay out of it. Let them deal with their own problem.

[NumberSix]

lol u ALWAYS playing this IDC card to counter everything you can't really counter :facepalm
What am I supposed to be countering?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

lol u ALWAYS playing this IDC card to counter everything you can't really counter :facepalm

It's best to ignore "Keepin' it real". Aside from incompetence, he literally brings nothing to the table.

[Godzuki]

Why is it our job to have solutions for problems on the other side of the world?

Here's my solution. We stay out of it. Let them deal with their own problem.


i give up, everything is a IDC or lets not care with you when it goes against what you think...

because a fundamentalist regime is collecting nukes obviously. Israel cares...and they will likely do something about it is my guess. Also US is very supportive of Israel obviously....i shouldn't even have to explain this.

[Godzuki]

It's best to ignore "Keepin' it real". Aside from incompetence, he literally brings nothing to the table.


yeah i'm starting to realize it...dude is so bias its almost funny he doesn't realize it.

oh well.

[NumberSix]

i give up, everything is a IDC or lets not care with you when it goes against what you think...

because a fundamentalist regime is collecting nukes obviously. Israel cares...and they will likely do something about it is my guess. Also US is very supportive of Israel obviously....i shouldn't even have to explain this.
So, problem solved.

[NumberSix]

yeah i'm starting to realize it...dude is so bias its almost funny he doesn't realize it.

oh well.
Lol. Biased about what?


I'm actually now thinking there's a good chance that you think the word "bias" means something different than it's actually meaning. The fact that you don't know the word "biased" further cements it.

[dunksby]

Trusting Iran with nuclear weaponry is like trusting a proctologist to be sensitive when he is holding a two foot long probe...you know what you're going to get.
How are you so sure Iran would use it? The world trusted Saddam with chemical weapons and encouraged him to use it in his war against Iran, when was the last time Iranians used WMDs? Your hypocritical self-righteousness is funny though.


































http://www.lobelog.com/wp-content/uploads/Bibi-and-the-Bomb.jpg

[Godzuki]

Lol. Biased about what?


I'm actually now thinking there's a good chance that you think the word "bias" means something different than it's actually meaning. The fact that you don't know the word "biased" further cements it.


when people lose in logical argument they resort to grammar teacher :oldlol:

i type very fast, don't spell check, or care...

[Nanners]

I'm doing your homework:
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Guest+editorial+Iran+trusted+develop+nuclear+weapo n/9225466/story.html

really? you post a guest editorial opinion piece from the vancouver sun? lol :facepalm


you said "Iran has never been truthful in any of these negotiations". i would just like to see some specific examples of when they lied.

[NumberSix]

How are you so sure Iran would use it? The world trusted Saddam with chemical weapons and encouraged him to use it in his war against Iran, when was the last time Iranians used WMDs? Your hypocritical self-righteousness is funny though.

Dude, if Iran has nuclear materials, there's only a 100% chance of them giving some to terrorists.

[NumberSix]

when people lose in logical argument they resort to grammar teacher :oldlol:

i type very fast, don't spell check, or care...
So again... WHAT AM I BIASED ABOUT?

"You're biased" in itself isn't a logical argument.

[Godzuki]

So again... WHAT AM I BIASED ABOUT?

"You're biased" in itself isn't a logical argument.


serious question: is your alt IAMRAMBO24?

[NumberSix]

serious question: is your alt IAMRAMBO24?
What am I biased about?

[dunksby]

Dude, if Iran has nuclear materials, there's only a 100% chance of them giving some to terrorists.
Iranian Islamists want Palestine liberated, they don't want it obliterated, they want to develop nuclear weaponry as a repellent considering Israel has quite a few.

[NumberSix]

Iranian Islamists want Palestine liberated, they don't want it obliterated, they want to develop nuclear weaponry as a repellent considering Israel has quite a few.
Why do you presume to know what they want?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

really? you post a guest editorial opinion piece from the vancouver sun? lol :facepalm


you said "Iran has never been truthful in any of these negotiations". i would just like to see some specific examples of when they lied.

And? What you're "looking for" is IN that article. Did you even bother reading it? :confusedshrug:

[Nanners]

And? What you're "looking for" is IN that article. Did you even bother reading it? :confusedshrug:

did you read the article? its not there

again, i am looking for specific examples of iran lying about their nuclear enrichment program. you claimed they have "never been truthful" so you should be able to point to at least one example of a lie.

[NumberSix]

did you read the article? its not there

again, i am looking for specific examples of iran lying about their nuclear enrichment program. you claimed they have "never been truthful" so you should be able to point to at least one example of a lie.
Are you Iranian or something?

[Nanners]

Are you Iranian or something?

no it just bothers me that iran gets demonized so much when they clearly dont deserve it.

[NumberSix]

no it just bothers me that iran gets demonized so much when they clearly dont deserve it.
Fυck 'em. People are just suspicious of Iran out of the blue. They're not a great country. They fund terrorism and don't even bother hiding it.

[brownmamba00]

Fυck 'em. People are just suspicious of Iran out of the blue. They're not a great country. They fund terrorism and don't even bother hiding it.
and the US doesn't?:confusedshrug:

[NumberSix]

and the US doesn't?:confusedshrug:
No, they don't. :hammerhead:

[RidonKs]

No, they don't. :hammerhead:
Everybody funds terrorism and doesn't even bother to hide it. They just don't call it terrorism. The US leads the world on that front.

[dunksby]

Why do you presume to know what they want?
Why do you? Never has Iran shown any interest in nuking anywhere let alone somewhere they hold sacred. I don't claim I know what they want, I just can deduce to an extent, given the info I have.

[RidonKs]

People need to distinguish the blatant and mind boggling double standard of the US, Israel, and the international community's insistence that Iran give up its weapons program... from the actual weapons program itself.

It's practically ironclad that the reason Iran wants a nuclear capacity is for a deterrent. The evidence for that is overwhelming.

But there is still a risk of proliferation, and even if the risk is not particularly high, the threat and the devastation is could unleash is enormous.

So how can the Iranian regime be placated? One option is the ongoing negotiations, which are a significant step in the right direction. Rouhani is backing up his words with deeds and should be applauded, as should Obama. But it isn't necessarily a long term plan and considering the future possibility of a much more hawkish American administration, a neocon or even Clinton, additional steps should be taken.

The only one that should come to mind is a nuclear weapons free zone in the middle east complete with guarantees from the international community; the West and its allies, and the Russians/Chinese and their allies. There are already five others around the world. If any region required such a step, it's clearly the middle east. Just for the sake of preventing another world war, everybody in the world should be supporting building and enforcing these zones.

What's stopping it? No need to answer that. Israel won't even admit it has nuclear weapons and hasn't signed the NPT. It's ongoing platform is that such a zone is impossible without a complete settlement with the Palestinians and treaties with its Arab neighbours. Great. The US has also deployed nuclear weapons at its military bases in the middle east. Saudi Arabia I think.

The US backed out of a conference two years ago that was to be hosted by Finland. Iran had agreed to attend. It was sponsored by the US, Russia, and the UK. It had been agreed upon by all 189 members of the UN General Assembly.

Here's the statement from the State Department regarding the cancellation

[QUOTE]United States State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated that the conference was cancelled due to

[Godzuki]

People need to distinguish the blatant and mind boggling double standard of the US, Israel, and the international community's insistence that Iran give up its weapons program... from the actual weapons program itself.

It's practically ironclad that the reason Iran wants a nuclear capacity is for a deterrent. The evidence for that is overwhelming.

But there is still a risk of proliferation, and even if the risk is not particularly high, the threat and the devastation is could unleash is enormous.

So how can the Iranian regime be placated? One option is the ongoing negotiations, which are a significant step in the right direction. Rouhani is backing up his words with deeds and should be applauded, as should Obama. But it isn't necessarily a long term plan and considering the future possibility of a much more hawkish American administration, a neocon or even Clinton, additional steps should be taken.

The only one that should come to mind is a nuclear weapons free zone in the middle east complete with guarantees from the international community; the West and its allies, and the Russians/Chinese and their allies. There are already five others around the world. If any region required such a step, it's clearly the middle east. Just for the sake of preventing another world war, everybody in the world should be supporting building and enforcing these zones.

What's stopping it? No need to answer that. Israel won't even admit it has nuclear weapons and hasn't signed the NPT. It's ongoing platform is that such a zone is impossible without a complete settlement with the Palestinians and treaties with its Arab neighbours. Great. The US has also deployed nuclear weapons at its military bases in the middle east. Saudi Arabia I think.

The US backed out of a conference two years ago that was to be hosted by Finland. Iran had agreed to attend. It was sponsored by the US, Russia, and the UK. It had been agreed upon by all 189 members of the UN General Assembly.

Here's the statement from the State Department regarding the cancellation


In other words.... ehhh, nevermind.

i can't believe you didn't even mention the Ayatollah in all of that...

and sure there is a double standard, but you are neglecting to mention their fundamentalist views at the top.

its ridiculous how much you guys skirt shit, while pretending to blame the U.S., Israel, and whomever...we're really not as insane as you WANT to paint us. at least not as insane as they are...

you know you're purposely leaving that stuff out too. Fukkin kills me when you guys are being purposely daft in your arguments :facepalm

[Godzuki]

gotta love them banning and arresting the Farrell 'Happy' dancers :oldlol:


yep they are sane....or Rouhani rules...sure :facepalm

[RidonKs]

i can't believe you didn't even mention the Ayatollah in all of that...

and sure there is a double standard, but you are neglecting to mention their fundamentalist views at the top.

its ridiculous how much you guys skirt shit, while pretending to blame the U.S., Israel, and whomever...we're really not as insane as you WANT to paint us. at least not as insane as they are...

you know you're purposely leaving that stuff out too. Fukkin kills me when you guys are being purposely daft in your arguments :facepalm
There are many forms of fundamentalism involved and many people who subscribe to their creeds. All of the inhibit peaceful rational negotiation.

If you're interested in the Ayatollah's stance on a nuclear weapons free zone in the middle east, you should look into it. In 2005 very publicly issued a fatwa against the possession and use of nuclear weapons in his country. He has continually doubled down on that declaration since.

Do I believe his PR work? Of course not.

But the very fact that his regime is currently negotiating with the US on the issue, the fact that he wanted his country to attend an international summit on a weapons free zone, the fact that he's pursued other options to supplement his country's stock of LEU for healthcare purposes that would have greatly diminished Iran's ability to develop a weapons capacity....

He's not perfect. Actually, he's a criminal and a tyrant. But that doesn't change any of the above stated facts.

[Godzuki]

There are many forms of fundamentalism involved and many people who subscribe to their creeds. All of the inhibit peaceful rational negotiation.

If you're interested in the Ayatollah's stance on a nuclear weapons free zone in the middle east, you should look into it. In 2005 very publicly issued a fatwa against the possession and use of nuclear weapons in his country. He has continually doubled down on that declaration since.

Do I believe his PR work? Of course not.

But the very fact that his regime is currently negotiating with the US on the issue, the fact that he wanted his country to attend an international summit on a weapons free zone, the fact that he's pursued other options to supplement his country's stock of LEU for healthcare purposes that would have greatly diminished Iran's ability to develop a weapons capacity....

He's not perfect. Actually, he's a criminal and a tyrant. But that doesn't change any of the above stated facts.


our sanctions have been killing them...

[RidonKs]

our sanctions have been killing them...
The sanctions have been killing the Iranian population mostly. Its elite are losing some money. I can't read minds. If the sanctions are what has made the leadership come to the table with Obama and if the sanctions are why it's expressed interest in a weapons free zone, what's the difference? The point is that they're interested and the United States and Israel, by their words and their actions, are not.

I don't see your point.

[Godzuki]

The sanctions have been killing the Iranian population mostly. Its elite are losing some money. I can't read minds. If the sanctions are what has made the leadership come to the table with Obama and if the sanctions are why it's expressed interest in a weapons free zone, what's the difference? The point is that they're interested and the United States and Israel, by their words and their actions, are not.

I don't see your point.


my point is its not voluntarily by the Ayatollah....they're having uprisings as well but they end up squashed by the hardliners. Hardliners rule that country with a iron fist and they want to keep it fundamentalist.

this idea of a progressive movement taking over or having say is a farce. its almost propaganda to get people to believe they're not so bad with the Rouhani hype, but they are...maybe in a few generations things will start to change.

i mean if they really do follow through with assurances and open disclosure with open inspections, etc. and no shade then thats great...but we've been down this road before and many times its smoke and mirrors.

but sure,...why not give it a shot? i just know Rouhani is a puppet for the Ayatollah so you guys can't keep pretending Rouhani is the leader.