nuclear-news

Open anti nuclear activism in Iran

Iran Activists Join Antinuclear Push, WSJ, 14 Nov 11, By FARNAZ FASSIHI, A group of Iranian dissidents for the first time openly called on their government to suspend uranium enrichment, in an open letter published Monday that adds to the momentum of the international effortto convince Tehran to abandon its alleged nuclear weapons program.

“The current deadlock over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and empty power play will set the stage for war and the people of Iran will have to pay the price,” said the letter.
The Iranian government considers its nuclear program a matter of
national pride, and there has been broad domestic political support to
stand firm.

But discontent in Iran about the pursuit of a nuclear program at any
price appears to be rising, as Iranians grapple with a weak economy
buffeted by international sanctions and fear further sanctions on the
horizon.

The shift follows the publication last week by the United Nations
nuclear watchdog of a report concluding that Iran was conducting
secret tests to pursue a nuclear weapon, something Iran denies.

The report led to calls by the U.S. and Europe for more sanctions and
renewed discussion in the U.S. and Israel about the possibility of a
military strike on Iran.

President Barack Obama said he would take no options off the table in
confronting Iran, in a news conference in Hawaii on Sunday. Over the
weekend, he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian Prime
Minister Dmitry Medvedev and pressed them to add further pressure on
Iran.

Both countries hold a veto at the U.N. Security Council, meaning
harsher U.N. sanctions aren’t possible without their backing. But
neither country voiced support for additional measures…..
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203503204577038211768769308.html

November 15, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, opposition to nuclear