Yesterday, the “U.N. Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions in as many years on a defiant Iran” in hopes of keeping the Islamic Republic from “developing atomic weapons.” President Barack Obama trumpeted the new sanctions as an “unmistakable message about the international community’s commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.”
Two questions: 1. what exactly is the “unmistakable message” and 2. what good will a “fourth round of sanctions in as many years achieve?”
The answer to the first question is that Iran and other countries seeking nuclear weapons can continue in their quest so long as they can ride out sanctions that do nothing more than hurt the citizens who reside under the boot heels of despotic regimes and military juntas. It's plainly obvious there is no will to truly stop Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon.
The answer the to second question is nothing. Iran is already well on their way to building not only nuclear bombs, but the missiles to deliver them as well.
Back in February, CNN reported that according to a draft report by the International Atomic Agency (IAEA), Iran is “secretly developing a nuclear warhead for a missile.” Of course this was no surprise. In Mid-December last year, The Associated Press reported that Iran tested a new advanced missile that is capable of striking Israel, parts of Europe and U.S bases in the Middle East.
“Iran On Wednesday Test-Fired An Upgraded Version Of Its Most Advanced Missile . . .” (Ali Akbar Dareini, “Iran Test-Fires Its Most Advanced Missile,” The Associated Press, 12/16/09)
“Wednesday's Test Was For The Latest Version Of Iran's Longest-Range Missile, The Sajjil-2, With A Range Of About 1,200 Miles (2,000 Kilometers).” (Ali Akbar Dareini, “Iran Test-Fires Its Most Advanced Missile,” The Associated Press, 12/16/09)
• “That range places Israel, Iran's sworn enemy, well within reach, as well as U.S. bases in the Gulf region and parts of southeastern Europe.” (Ali Akbar Dareini, “Iran Test-Fires Its Most Advanced Missile,” The Associated Press, 12/16/09)
The AP’s report came two days after The Times of London reported on a secret document that showed Iran working on a “key final component of a nuclear bomb.”
“Confidential Intelligence Documents Obtained By The Times Show That Iran Is Working On Testing A Key Final Component Of A Nuclear Bomb.” (Catherine Philip, “Secret Document Exposes Iran’s Nuclear Trigger,” The Times [London, United Kingdom], 12/14/09)
“The Notes, From Iran’s Most Sensitive Military Nuclear Project, Describe A Four-Year Plan To Test A Neutron Initiator, The Component Of A Nuclear Bomb That Triggers An Explosion.” (Catherine Philip, “Secret Document Exposes Iran’s Nuclear Trigger,” The Times [London, United Kingdom], 12/14/09)
• “Foreign intelligence agencies date them to early 2007.” (Catherine Philip, “Secret Document Exposes Iran’s Nuclear Trigger,” The Times [London, United Kingdom], 12/14/09)
“The Technical Document Describes The Use Of A Neutron Source, Uranium Deuteride, Which Independent Experts Confirm Has No Possible Civilian Or Military Use Other Than In A Nuclear Weapon.” (Catherine Philip, “Secret Document Exposes Iran’s Nuclear Trigger,” The Times [London, United Kingdom], 12/14/09)
• “Uranium deuteride is the material used in Pakistan’s bomb, from where Iran obtained its blueprint.” (Catherine Philip, “Secret Document Exposes Iran’s Nuclear Trigger,” The Times [London, United Kingdom], 12/14/09)
And if that wasn’t foreboding enough, our cousins across the pond reported in November 2009 on a secret report by the IAEA titled “Possible Military Dimensions Of Iran’s Nuclear Program.” According to The Guardian, the report said Iran had been experimenting with designs to put advanced nuclear warheads on missiles.
Iran’s “Breathtaking” Technological Advancement Known As A “Two-Point Implosion Device.” “The very existence of the technology, known as a ‘two-point implosion’ device, . . . was today described by nuclear experts as ‘breathtaking’ and has added urgency to the effort to find a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis.” (Julian Borger, “Iran Tested Advanced Nuclear Warhead Design – Secret Report,” The Guardian [United Kingdom], 11/5/09)
“The Sophisticated Technology, Once Mastered, Allows For The Production Of Smaller And Simpler Warheads Than Older Models.” (Julian Borger, “Iran Tested Advanced Nuclear Warhead Design – Secret Report,” The Guardian [United Kingdom], 11/5/09)
• “It reduces the diameter of a warhead and makes it easier to put a nuclear warhead on a missile.” (Julian Borger, “Iran Tested Advanced Nuclear Warhead Design – Secret Report,” The Guardian [United Kingdom], 11/5/09)
The Guardian’s report built upon a story from what The New York Times reported in early October 2009, that the IAEA concluded Iran not only has the know-how to design and make a nuke, but that the regime is also working to make the payload deliverable via medium-range missile to strike all of the Middle East and parts of Europe.
According To IAEA Report, Iran Knows How To Make A Nuke. “Senior staff members of the United Nations nuclear agency have concluded in a confidential analysis that Iran has acquired ‘sufficient information to be able to design and produce a workable’ atom bomb.” (William J. Broad and David E. Sanger, “Report Says Iran Has Data To Make A Nuclear Bomb,” The New York Times, 10/4/09)
“The Report, Titled ‘Possible Military Dimensions Of Iran’s Nuclear Program,’ Was Produced In Consultation With A Range Of Nuclear Weapons Experts Inside And Outside The Agency.” (William J. Broad and David E. Sanger, “Report Says Iran Has Data To Make A Nuclear Bomb,” The New York Times, 10/4/09)
Complex Program To Develop Nuke And Delivery System That Could Reach All Of The Middle East And “Parts Of Europe.” “It draws a picture of a complex program, run by Iran’s Ministry of Defense, ‘aimed at the development of a nuclear payload to be delivered using the Shahab 3 missile system,’ Iran’s medium-range missile, which can strike the Middle East and parts of Europe.” (William J. Broad and David E. Sanger, “Report Says Iran Has Data To Make A Nuclear Bomb,” The New York Times, 10/4/09)
• “The program, according to the report, apparently began in early 2002.” (William J. Broad and David E. Sanger, “Report Says Iran Has Data To Make A Nuclear Bomb,” The New York Times, 10/4/09)
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