In yet another indication that the third party enrichment scheme isn’t quite dead, the Iranian government indicated today that it would be willing to transfer its nuclear material to Turkey and make the exchange there.
Iran proposed the third party plan to enrich uranium for use in medical isotopes in September, but balked at the current draft requiring them to send a large portion of their uranium overseas before receiving the more highly enriched uranium.
Iran had previously suggested keeping the uranium on Kish Island, still on Iranian soil but where it was clearly out Iran’s stockpile. Suggestions of a neutral country acting as an intermediary have been floated before, but whether the West will accept the offer remains to be seen.
But it won’t be so easy to just say no. The Obama Administration has been pressing Turkey to take an active role in this dispute and needs Turkish support to push the sanctions through the UN Security Council.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu praised the idea and said it stands ready to help resolve the diplomatic standoff. Though at this late date Western officials seem set to just push for sanctions to punish Iran for refusing the draft offer, Turkey is in a unique position as both a NATO member and an ally of Iran to keep dialogue open.
it would be nice to be the first commenter and to accurately predict the fate of this proposal…. Does the fact that this proposal was floated mean that Iran is willing to back down..?? And if so, does that mean that something has changed between Iran and Russia..?? Maybe Russia is so needy for money that they are willing to mitigate their former "war on Iran is war on Russia" position…… One thing is SURE…. Even the out and out aggressor crazies in Israel do NOT want any real problems with Russia.. Russia could put the hegemonic dreams of the only nuclear armed state in the Middle East into a cauldron of fire in about a half an hour.. And after the Georgia fiasco that had Georgia braging that the Israeli advisors helped them kill more Russians, one would think that anything that MAY upset Russia was just NOT possible… Ah, but what is going on..?? It's one of those "Those that know do not say AND "Those that soy do not know situations…. if ever there was such a thing..
No matter how the Israelis would be likely to treat this proposal, bringing Turkey on board this comprise will complicate their maneuvering to isolate and punish Iran… The West does NOT want Turkey to go rogue [Islamist]…. and as things in that part of the world are being more and more influenced by OIL, there are a few wild cards that may come up in play namely how Turkey will fit into the ongoing efforts to divert gas [and oil too] around Russia… My guess, that this last eleventh hour dodge will buy copious time for Iran, because to reject it out of hand will snub the Turks, and snubbing them could be quite dangerous to Pres "O"'s prestige and the Wests appearance of unified resolve. So the return move of the U.S./Israel will be decissive in the outcome of this maneuver. That the Turks got involved is a net loss for the U.S./Israel front from my point of view……Stay Tuned…!!
Firstly, let me state that the NPT is flawed. You simply cannot have nations who have nuclear weapons impose terms on nations who do not, all the while retaining the right/ability to use those weapons when they see fit. Add to this the fact that the US is the only nation on earth to have used atomic weapons on another (Japan) and the entire argument by haves to have nots is highly hypocritical.
That said, regarding Iran's latest effort to involve Turkey – it is a brilliant strategic move. They clearly understand Turkey and its leaders and know that once Turkey takes on a mediator role, they will in essence have remove any chance the US had of getting Turkey's support for tougher actions.
As I see it, the problem is not Iran’s nuclear projects. The regime’s slow but steady advances in science and technology is unacceptable to the Empire which detests anyone who gradually gains fundamental independent power and dares to stand on its way of dominating the world. ( “..they must be annihilated mercilessly….”)
The other problem with Iran is they morally and financially support Hezbollah and the Palestinians. . Thanks to the masterwork of the corporate media the majority of Americans are brainwashed to believe the two are terrorist groups (not as Philip Giraldi says “.. they are the resistant anti-occupation movements…”).
Consequently I believe, even if any logical, mutually beneficial solution is found for this nuclear hangup, the enemies of Iran will come up with NEW excuses. They, apart from inching towards destroying the Iranian factories have the goal of “changing the regime” and replacing it with a “friendly !” “democratic!” government.
Of course the enemies of iran will attack regardless of what iran does. i'd bet top dollar that even if iran did dismantle its peaceful nuclear power stations that israel would still cook up some reason to attack them, because as well all know israel runs on war, blood and money and nothing more. if iran was making weapons i wouldnt blame them, with enemies like israel there is no way you can ever truly feel safe.
Of course the enemies of iran will attack regardless of what iran does. i'd bet top dollar that even if iran did dismantle its peaceful nuclear power stations that israel would still cook up some reason to attack them, because as well all know israel runs on war, blood and money and nothing more. if iran was making weapons i wouldnt blame them, with enemies like israel there is no way you can ever truly feel safe.