# So What's IRAN Up To? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 11, 2006, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286 "2006-04-11T22:54:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/81 "2006-04-14T12:03:32Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Some, like Brazil as I mentioned above, have even decided to nationalize the complete nuclear fuel cycle. Why is it so unreasonable for Iran to want to do the same? Well, my prime reason for suspicion is Iran ain’t Brazil. I think they’ve got the largest natural gas reserves per landmass, by far, of any nation, so I just don’t see why it’s so critical for them to have nuclear power that they’d risk ostracision. They’re surrounded by hostility, instability, they’re known sponsors of international terrorism…I don’t see the comparison, really. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/82 "2006-04-14T12:13:28Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Well, my prime reason for suspicion is Iran ain’t Brazil. I think they’ve got the largest natural gas reserves per landmass, by far, of any nation, so I just don’t see why it’s so critical for them to have nuclear power that they’d risk ostracision. They’re surrounded by hostility, instability, they’re known sponsors of international terrorism…I don’t see the comparison, really. Plus, as previously mentionned, even Brazil did try to produce nuclear weapons when it felt it could be in its best interest to have them (and it was a long way from being in the same situation as Iran). So, it’s not exactly a very good counter-example. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/83 "2006-04-14T12:56:42Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Plus, as previously mentionned, even Brazil did try to produce nuclear weapons when it felt it could be in its best interest to have them (and it was a long way from being in the same situation as Iran). So, it’s not exactly a very good counter-example. I did mention that, didn’t I. Still, Brazil has a functioning, or nearly functioning, commercial scale enrichment facility, while Iran has a _research_ scale facility. > [@](#): > > Russian Federal Nuclear Energy Agency chief Sergei Kiriyenko said the enrichment facility in the Iranian city of Natanz, equipped with 164 gas centrifuges, could not produce any significant amount of enriched uranium, which can be used to fuel power plants or produce atomic weapons. > > “These centrifuges allow Iran to conduct laboratory uranium enrichment to a low level in insignificant amounts,” Kiriyenko was quoted as saying. “The acquisition of highly enriched uranium is unfeasible today using this method.” > > Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared Tuesday that Iran had “joined the club of nuclear countries” by successfully producing enriched uranium, a key process in what Iran maintains is a peaceful energy program. > > Diplomats and experts familiar with the program say Iran is still far from producing any weapons-grade material that would be needed for bombs and may be exaggerating its progress. [Russian nuclear chief says Iran far from industrial-scale uranium enrichment - Apr. 13, 2006 | KyivPost | KyivPost - Ukraine's Global Voice](http://www.kyivpost.com/bn/24251/) Rather than getting all fearful and belligerent now, mightn’t it be better for the free world to engage in diplomacy that ensures that by the time Iran _does_ have a large scale enrichment facility, they’re following the example of Brazil rather than making bombs as fast as they can to defend themselves from western aggression? I wonder what the profit potential would be for Iranian fuel rods? They’d certainly come with a different set of strings attached than today’s superpower produced uranium products. ---
**Author:** ![kezami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eb8c5e/32.png) [@kezami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kezami)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/84 "2006-04-14T17:51:02Z")
It’s all bluster and rhetoric. The Islamist way of thinking is about saving face and resisting ‘humiliation’ and putting on a brave front. You know, sort of like the knight in Mony Python’s ‘Holy Grail’ who wanted to continue fighting as he was being de-limbed. The regime is trying to show strength in order to boost sagging spirits in areas such as Iraq and Palestine. Seriously, if they did manufacture a nuke would it be used offensively as a first strike? Highly unlikely. They wouldn’t be naive enough to think that Israel as their solitary target would in any way lack the technology to blow the missile out of the sky and launch a barrage in retaliation. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/85 "2006-04-14T17:54:34Z")
> [@kezami](#): > > It’s all bluster and rhetoric. > They wouldn’t be naive enough to think that Israel as their solitary target would in any way lack the technology to blow the missile out of the sky and launch a barrage in retaliation. Retaliation, maybe, but I wouldn’t be so sure about the ability of Israel to “blow the missile out of the sky”. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/86 "2006-04-14T17:58:54Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Retaliation, maybe, but I wouldn’t be so sure about the ability of Israel to “blow the missile out of the sky”. Well… there’s [this.](http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/surface_missiles/arrow/Arrow.html) Hopefully, we won’t reach the situation where we’ll have to see if it works. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/87 "2006-04-24T23:49:48Z")
Iran is making sure that people don’t forget them-Ahmedinejine spoke of Israel as thta “fake” country thta will be destroyed. He’s also getting ready to send a big check to Hamas. Again, I don’t see the need for all this bluster-I think it is making Israel nervous. By the way, Iran seems pleased that oil prices have risen sharply-is there any reason to suspect that they are dropping production? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/88 "2006-04-25T01:12:41Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > He’s also getting ready to send a big check to Hamas. He’s sending it to the PA. So they can pay their civil service and so the country doesn’t completely collapse like Israel would like it to. > [@](#): > > By the way, Iran seems pleased that oil prices have risen sharply-is there any reason to suspect that they are dropping production? Of course they’re happy. More money for them. If we had a massive oil industry that funded most of our social infrastructure, we’d be happy if oil prices rose, too. And no, there’s no reason to suspect they are dropping production. Why would they? Oil prices are rising on their own, so why not max out production and make the most of it? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/89 "2006-04-25T03:33:46Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Rather than getting all fearful and belligerent now, mightn’t it be better for the free world to engage in diplomacy that ensures that by the time Iran _does_ have a large scale enrichment facility, they’re following the example of Brazil rather than making bombs as fast as they can to defend themselves from western aggression? Well, Brazil doesn’t have any reason to show for needing a nuclear defense of the country. They aren’t attacking anyone and nobody is attacking them. They have ships, guns, missles, etc as Iran does, but they don’t have the headlines. Also, they aren’t blocking IAEA access to inspect the plants. Also, they aren’t openly advocating the destruction of a nation/people using the nuclear technology that they brag about developing without oversight of the IAEA. Pakistan and India have thier own issues, but neither have done anything to overtly cause the world to think their problems are serious enough to cause a World War. And neither has called for the genocide that Tehran has, as far as I know. Brazil nuclear power? Not in the same arena as Tehran. Think of the suicide bombers that are raised from infancy to blow themselves up in the name of Islam. The fervor that must take coming from a small dusty village. Now add to that the propaganda of having the BOMB to back up killing a bus full of children? Not really trusting the Iranian government right now. BTW, why is Iran so concerned with nuclear energy? Oh, I know. They really do love us and want to conserve the oil to sell to the US to make our lives easier. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/90 "2006-04-25T04:34:57Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Think of the suicide bombers that are raised from infancy to blow themselves up in the name of Islam. The fervor that must take coming from a small dusty village. Now add to that the propaganda of having the BOMB to back up killing a bus full of children? > > Not really trusting the Iranian government right now. Think of the president, his legacy in shambles, desparately trying to rebuild some credibility by hyping another phoney crisis: > [@](#): > > 4 RECLAIM SECURITY CREDIBILITY. This is the riskiest, and potentially most consequential, element of the plan, keyed to the vow by Iran to continue its nuclear program despite the opposition of several major world powers. Presidential advisers believe that by putting pressure on Iran, Bush may be able to rehabilitate himself on national security, a core strength that has been compromised by a discouraging outlook in Iraq. “In the face of the Iranian menace, the Democrats will lose,” said a Republican frequently consulted by the White House. However, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll this April 8-11, found that 54% of respondents did not trust Bush to “make the right decision about whether we should go to war with Iran.” [Can Bolten Save the President?](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1186555-3,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/91 "2006-04-25T05:33:51Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Think of the president, his legacy in shambles, desparately trying to rebuild some credibility by hyping another phoney crisis Oh, we’re talking about Bush, as if no other country matters. As if Iran has never before been a threat to Middle East stability? OK. Thought this was a debate. Doesn’t matter what the rest of the world thinks about Tehran’s intentions. Bush is against it, so that means the concerns are invalid. Got it. It’s much easier when you state the rules upfront. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/92 "2006-04-25T07:34:12Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > And, given the consequences of such an action, why exactly would they do so? For the same reasons that suicide bombers detonate themselves in Tel Aviv cafes - they think they are striking a blow against the hated infidels, on behalf of Allah. If some religious extremists are prepared to sacrifice their lives for Allah, then maybe some other religious extremists are prepared to sacrifice their whole country for Allah. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286/93 "2006-04-25T09:11:29Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Bush is against it, so that means the concerns are invalid. True, as a rule. I’ve seldom seen someone so consistently wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286.md?page=4)