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Iranian Strategy Feeds Off Perceived Western Weakness

(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael Segall - With a further round of the nuclear talks between Iran and the West to be held in mid-May, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continues to encourage the advancement of Iran's nuclear program. While giving the talks a green light, he is at the forefront of pessimism about the chances of reaching a comprehensive agreement. Khamenei insisted that despite the ongoing talks, no R&D activity would be stopped or slowed down. He stressed that the main advantage of Iran's nuclear program is the "strengthening of national security," a surprising admission considering Iran's insistence that its nuclear program is only for civilian purposes. Discussing the dilution of Iran's 20% enriched uranium to 5 percent, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) spokesman Bahruz Kamalvandi made clear that Iran would not lose its uranium stockpiles: "We can convert the uranium enriched to 5% to a level of 20% in two or three weeks if we need to." Given Iran's repeated statements in this regard, the situation assessment is basically one of Western weakness. This will likely lead Iran to toughen its position in the nuclear talks.
2014-05-01 00:00:00
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