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Cartoon: NIK AHANG KOWSAR

کاریکاتور از نیک آهنگ کوثر

On February 19, 2009, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released its latest report on Iran’s nuclear activities. The report states that Iran has produced a total of some of 1,010 kilograms of low enriched uranium hexafluoride as of January 31, 2009, which is sufficient for a nuclear weapons’ breakout capability.

The IAEA reports that no substantive progress has been made in resolving issues concerning Iran’s possible “military dimensions” of its nuclear program. (See the ISIS report here)

Obviously, the Iranian regime continues to challenge the international community by accelerating its enrichment program. Moreover, Iran’s efforts to sophisticate its missile capability, shows its resolution to acquire the much desired nuclear deterrence. This Iranian resolution is a direct result of International hesitation to confront the Mullahs folly and to put together a unified policy of harsh sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

At the same time that Tehran is accelerating its last march towards the bomb, The US has once again turned to its failed policy of the past thirty years. It is well perceived in Washington that the Obama administration might wait for the result of the Iranian regime’s election circus in next June. Once again, the illusion for the emergence of an Iranian moderate leader will only serve to buy precious time for the Mullahs’ nuclear ambitions. Tehran recognizes that such illusionary hope has been the driving force of the American policy, and hence masterfully feeds it.

The natural consequence of continuing the current policy is that the price for stopping the Iranian regime’s folly will increase.  A few years ago, the price was mainly the negative economic impact on European and American companies. Before long, if the current policy continues, the price of stopping Iran will be a costly and destructive war. The US hesitation to confront Iran is only bringing us to the brink of a war that will be marked as a catastrophe of unbelievable dimensions.

PAIC