Iran and the United States have been negotiating to stop or at least slow down Iran’s nuclear proliferation program. The announcement to suspend uranium enrichment at the 20% level came just in time to offset the negative news concerning the damages from Hurricane Sandy and the government’s impotence to help people affected by this storm. The “November Surprise” will impact the elections and the lies told by the administration concerning any negotiations with Iran will not be reported. Let’s see if the talks scheduled after the election will produce any tangible results.
David DeGeroamo
Iran suspends uranium enrichment
Iran has suspended the enrichment of uranium stockpiles to the 20% purity needed to bring it a short step from building a nuclear device, news services in the region have reported.
Mohammad Hossein Asfari, a member of parliament responsible for foreign policy and national security, was quoted as saying that the move was a “goodwill” gesture, aimed at softening Iran’s position before a new round of scheduled talks with the United States after this week’s presidential elections.
Asfari said he hoped sanctions would be lifted in return for Iran’s actions, otherwise it would resume the programme, according to a website belonging to the Al Arabiya news channel. Talks aimed at halting Iran’s enrichment programme have made little progress, leading to the west tightening sanctions and increasing the prospect of military action by Israel.
The Islamic republic’s economy has plummeted in the grip of punitive economic measures and Tehran indicated earlier this month that it would be willing to negotiate. However, the offer to suspend enrichment required so many concessions that it was dismissed by the United States.
