Hi Marko

An excellent article. I agree with most points including:

page.1 – there is too much exaggeration or simplification or out of context use of IAEA statements

Though disagree "Such a bomb would need to be tested" No test necessary if it were of the HEU gun/Tall Boy type.

p.2 The TRR requirements appears to present an alternative theory and use for Iran enriching U to 20%

All the non-nuclear, regime change requirements of the financial sanctions bill appear to guarantee Iran won't accept them.

Learned a new word today :) "asymptotically" meaning escalating towards infinity?

p.3 "The US could threaten to launch widespread attacks both against regime assets throughout Iran and Iran's oil and energy infrastructure". The economic impact in the US may make the President unpopular in an election year – perhaps best to bomb in December 2012.

Bombing oil infrastructure is likely to sharply drive up the world oil price for years until repairs are done. Airstrikes not involving oil infrastructure may only cause price rises for months.

- agree that airstrikes would hurt the Iranian anti-Government, pro-democracy cause due to boosted support for the Iranian Government.

See my earlier OLO Jan 2010 article http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=9915 on Iran's nuclear program which included references to Fardow.

Regards

Pete

The sanctions are the most effective method of dissuading from building a bomb, as it clearly demonstrates the opprobrium that this action holds with the rest of the world, and starves the government of funds that the highly priced project needs. This strategy worked well with Libya.

There is no peaceful justification for HEU, and as pointed out in the article, whilst not enriched enough for weapons, most of the enrichment has been done, and the last stage can be completed in months.

Iran's attempt to escalate the situation and play chicken with the US and Nato was effectively nipped in the bud when the US and Nato clearly spelt out that force would be used if the strait was closed.

Shadow minister is wrong. Iran has a real need for radio-pharmaceuticals which are banned from import by the US and enforced by the 5th Fleet. As far as I can tell US/Australian/Israeli/NATO response to the the continuing acting as an independent state by Iran provides the excuse for a heighten assassination program, increased sabotage at Iran's arms depots and increased drone overflights, until and unless either Iran agrees to completely eliminate any and all nuclear research or development under supervision or allows US supervised elections where a free, democratic government is installed as intended in Iraq. Regardless, the US nuclear powered, nuclear armed 5th Fleet is ready to launch Operation Iran Liberation, which will make the laying waste of Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Gaza seem mild in comparison. The only problem is the US has not fought a war against a real army since Korea.

A second rate Army that couldn't beat the army of much smaller Iraq after 8 years (1980-88) fighting can't stop airstrikes anyway...

A war of words. After the neuk; inspections and dialogue, a recommendation may be made. Probably the only way to stop the enrichment all together, will be regime change. Free the people of Iran. The country in the hands of religious fanatics, will never be a holiday destination.