nuclear-news

Iranian public unaware of facts on nuclear program

Iranians wrongly support nuclear program: analyst

Azerbaijan, Baku,   06.11.2009 /Trend News, T.Konyayeva/

The Iranians support the development of the country’s nuclear program and consider the issue to be a matter of pride, but know neither its possible military orientation nor its real price, Northeastern University Professor Kamran Dadkhah told Trend News in an e-mail.

“When Iranians are asked if they are in favor of nuclear program no mention is made of the weapons program or the cost of such program to the people,” Dadkhah wrote. “Therefore, Iranians answer that they are in favor of the program. This is like asking someone if he or she wants a Mercedes Benz without telling him/her that it will cost $90,000.”……………..Dadkhah believes. “The problem is that in this game the only losers are the Iranian people.”

Regarding Iran’s ambition to become a nuclear power, the West has two options, the expert believes.

“The West can use its military power to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities or at least set back the program for a few years, in which case one can only guess at the damage to the Iranian economy and people,” Dadkhah said. “Alternatively, the West could accept Iran as is and allow other countries in the region to enter into a nuclear arms race.”

But he believes the Iranian economy cannot afford such a race and its economic consequences.

“Under the current state of economy, Iran is incapable of becoming a regional power or sustaining an arms race for too long before collapsing as did the Soviet economy in the 1990s,” Dadkhah said. “Either way the Iranians will pay the price.”

Trend News: Iranians wrongly support nuclear program: analyst

November 10, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Iran, secrets,lies and civil liberties | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons