There is No Evidence of An Iranian Nuclear Weapons Programme

[C. Flower]

This American perspective blog asks the question "what evidence is there of an Iranian nuclear bomb programme."

The answer, backed up by the latest US intelligence reports, seems to be that any related research or work ended in 2003, and that Iran does not have a weapons development programme.

http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/32822/

Some fascinating detail on the US efforts (fake bricks and road signs, sensitive to radioactivity) that have failed to come up with any evidence that Iran is working towards a bomb.

I'm posting this in the context of the current punitive sanctions to be imposed on Iranian oil exports, that are so severe that they could be considered an act of war by the US and EU against Iran.

For decades Americans have been subjected to saturation bombing by misinformation and outright lies about Iran. The information from our intelligence agencies has painted a more accurate picture, if we choose to see it

[antiestablishmentarian]

Thanks for posting this. The (unquestioned) orthodoxy is that Iran is developing the bomb and thus turning the burden of proof on Iran rather than on those imposing the sanctions and who have already attacked Iran and its infrastructure through the Stuxnet virus.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...successes.html

[cdgalwegian]

. The (unquestioned) orthodoxy is that Iran is developing the bomb and thus turning the burden of proof on Iran

Governments, because they are made up of people with their own prejudices, desires and vested interests, develop agendas to further their aims. A particular strategy, blatantly followed through Iraq was to follow the principle: “Absence of proof is not proof of absence.” And when all else fails, make the stuff up; as Einstein said "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."

This is therefoe the continuation of the neo-conservative strategy of reality-formation.

The End of the American Road

The New Neo-Con Reality

by PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS

"We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality — judiciously, as you will — we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."

–Bush White House aide explaining the New Reality
http://www.counterpunch.org/2008/10/...o-con-reality/

The role of the media is obviously important here, which this forum frequently points out; the media helps shapes the perceptions which influence our understanding the world as presented. If this can be manipulated, two birds can be killed with the one stone: in making reality, two agendas can be fulfilled- in the supposed national interest in the geo-political stakes, as well as corporate interest. The two become aligned.

It has got to the situation where corporate greed can direct American foreign policy, regardless of the consequence. The simplistic, atavistic and emotional use of the term 'Axis of Evil' was an evil act in itself. It's shameful that this narrative, without the explicit use of the term has been carried on.

[Holly]

Did the Labour Party's Eamon Gilmore pledge Ireland's support for the European Union's decision to place an embargo on Iranian oil?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...,5842881.story

[antiestablishmentarian]

Did the Labour Party's Eamon Gilmore pledge Ireland's support for the European Union's decision to place an embargo on Iranian oil?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...,5842881.story

We won't know 'til WikiLeaks publish the next cache of US diplomatic cables.

[rebellin]

Iran Ready To Resume Nuclear Talks, While Voices in the West Beat their War Drum Lies

Iranian state media reported on Jan 1 that Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with world powers. Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said in a meeting with a visiting Chinese official in Tehran that Iran was ready to resume talks with the six world powers over its nuclear programs. Additionally, chief nuclear negotiator Saeid Jalili plans to inform European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton about Iran's decision.

Mehr news agency quoted Iran's Ambassador to Berlin Ali-Reza Sheikh-Attar, as saying that Jalili would soon forward Iran's intention to Ashton, who leads the six involved parties — comprised of the five permanent UN Security Council members, Great Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States, plus Germany — in the talks.

[Kev Bar]

Iran is so short of energy supplies, nuclear power is essential.

And given their dire lack of alternative sources of energy, how could one even think that they might be harbouring nuclear weapon ambitions.

Surely a look at what happened in Iraq would deter them.

Then a look at North Korea wld show the heavy price one pays for nuclear desires.

Perhaps we should offer Iran oil and gas.

Then they would have no need for nuclear power.

But I suppose the logistics of trying to get oil and gas to that region may prove difficult.

[cdgalwegian]

Iran is so short of energy supplies, nuclear power is essential.

[QUOTE]
Iran possessed abundant fuels from which to generate energy, ranking second in the world in natural gas reserves and third in oil reserves. Nevertheless, in 2005 Iran spent US$4 billion dollars on fuel imports, mainly because of inefficient domestic use.[QUOTE]
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...d/iran/oil.htm

The problem, as far as I remember, is lack of refinement of crude oil, rather than reserves.

[antiestablishmentarian]

Iran is so short of energy supplies, nuclear power is essential.

And given their dire lack of alternative sources of energy, how could one even think that they might be harbouring nuclear weapon ambitions.

Surely a look at what happened in Iraq would deter them.

Then a look at North Korea wld show the heavy price one pays for nuclear desires.

Perhaps we should offer Iran oil and gas.

Then they would have no need for nuclear power.

But I suppose the logistics of trying to get oil and gas to that region may prove difficult.

To my mind there's a plausible argument to be made that if Iraq actually had WMD the US might not have invaded them.

[Kev Bar]

To my mind there's a plausible argument to be made that if Iraq actually had WMD the US might not have invaded them.

I think the Iranians might agree with you.

[Apjp]

Iran is so short of energy supplies, nuclear power is essential.

And given their dire lack of alternative sources of energy, how could one even think that they might be harbouring nuclear weapon ambitions.

Surely a look at what happened in Iraq would deter them.

Then a look at North Korea wld show the heavy price one pays for nuclear desires.

Perhaps we should offer Iran oil and gas.

Then they would have no need for nuclear power.

But I suppose the logistics of trying to get oil and gas to that region may prove difficult.

Iran doesn't need oil and gas from the west. It produces its own oil. I'd sooner cut a fuel deal over our energy fields here in Ireland with themselves than the yanks, the troika or shell.

[Kev Bar]

Iran doesn't need oil and gas from the west. It produces its own oil. I'd sooner cut a fuel deal over our energy fields here in Ireland with themselves than the yanks, the troika or shell.

I know that.
And therefore its need for nuclear power is...?

[Kev Bar]

[quote=cdgalwegian;217154][QUOTE]
Iran possessed abundant fuels from which to generate energy, ranking second in the world in natural gas reserves and third in oil reserves. Nevertheless, in 2005 Iran spent US$4 billion dollars on fuel imports, mainly because of inefficient domestic use.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...d/iran/oil.htm

The problem, as far as I remember, is lack of refinement of crude oil, rather than reserves.

Wld it be simpler and cheaper to be efficient and refine or to go nuclear?

[Kev Bar]

Iran doesn't need oil and gas from the west. It produces its own oil. I'd sooner cut a fuel deal over our energy fields here in Ireland with themselves than the yanks, the troika or shell.

Perhaps.
The bodies of many Iranian socialists and communists, murdered by the Mullahs after the Iranian revolution, might turn in their graves at you giving Iran such trust.

[C. Flower]

Perhaps.
The bodies of many Iranian socialists and communists, murdered by the Mullahs after the Iranian revolution, might turn in their graves at you giving Iran such trust.

If you propose sanctions on all oil producers who have executed communists, you would quickly run out of supplies.