| World |
| Written by Chris Perver |
| Monday, 04 December 2006 17:00 |
| Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani confirmed today that Iran will have completed its nuclear research and development by March 2007. There had been reports earlier in the year that Israeli intelligence had evidence that Iran was only a few months away from perfecting its nuclear knowledge, and in the Israelis minds, knowledge of how to build a nuclear bomb is much more dangerous than possessing one. Israeli politicians have stated that under no circumstances will Iran be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon. Quote: ""All parts of our research and development program will be achieved by the end of this Iranian year (March 2007),” Ali Larijani told Iran’s official IRNA news agency, without elaborating. Tehran says it will expand its atomic work by installing 3,000 centrifuges, devices used to enrich uranium either to make fuel for power stations or material warheads. Tehran insists its plans are peaceful but the West fears it has military goals. Iran now operates two chains of 164 centrifuges and has only enriched tiny quantities of uranium to levels used in power stations. Experts say with 3,000 centrifuges in place, Tehran could make enough material for at least one warhead in a year. Some interesting facts about March 2007. It's the month in which a total lunar eclipse will be visible from the whole Middle East (the 3rd of March). The lunar eclipse also falls on the days of Purim - when the Jews celebrate deliverance from their Persian enemies and wicked Haman. It's the month in which the Israeli elections fall. It's the month in which Iran hopes to complete it's Bushehr nuclear facility. And according to a top Russian politician, it's the month in which Israel has decided to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. So all does not look well for March, if the negotiations Javier Solana is proposing continue to stall. Source YNet News, Reuters
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