Iran, which is failing to honor its earlier commitment to suspend its uranium enrichment program, has 'stunned'   Britain, France and Germany, by demanding that they supply it with conventional arms, advanced dual—use (i.e., militarily useful) nuclear technology, and commit to defend Iran from any possible attack by Israel.

The so—called 'EU 3' had been in 'crisis talks' with Iran, attempting to persuade the mullahs to adhere to the terms of a deal they made with the three to suspend enrichment efforts and seal their nuclear weapons facilities, in return for an agreement not to seek UN Security Council sanctions. The Euros have now tried the discussions/UN involvement/agreement strategy and discovered to their shock that evil regimes are limitless in their ability to discard solemn commitments, and boundless in their ambition to acquire (and use!) horrendous weapons of mass destruction. Perhaps now America's invasion of Iraq makes more sense to them.

All of this takes place in the context of tensions over the apparent progress Iran has made toward obtaining a nuclear arsenal. Talk is already circulating about a possible Israeli, or even an American strike to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons capacity.

It is now clear to anyone who cares to notice that the mullahs are detached from any realistic apprehension of their diplomatic and strategic situation. This can only encourage the realistic application of force to remove them from power, and render harmless their growing threat to acquire and use nuclear weapons.

Posted by Thomas  8 11 04