Is this statement by Mr. Ahmadinejad true?

Question

"All our nuclear activities are transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes of [international] inspectors," he said.

Answer 1

Great question!!

Ahmadinejad did say, "All our nuclear activities are transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes of [international] inspectors". The statement is incorrect, though.

The uranium enrichment at Natanz is not available to inspection by IAEA inspectors under NPT. That is part of the criticism of UNSC. Inspectors found traces of weapons grade uranium in the P1 and P2 centrifuges that were purchased from Pakistan and Iran explained that it was residue because the centrifuges were used by Pakistan to enrich uranium.

Iran Emrooz (Iran Today) quoted Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Kharrazi, secretary-general of Iranian Hezbollah, as saying in a February 14, 2005, speech, "We are able to produce atomic bombs and we will do that. We shouldn't be afraid of anyone. The U.S. is not more than a barking dog."
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On May 29, 2005, Hojjat ol-Islam Gholam Reza Hasani, the Supreme Leader's personal representative to the province of West Azerbaijan, declared possession of nuclear weapons to be one of Iran's top goals. "An atom bomb . . . must be produced as well," he said."That is because the Qur'an has told Muslims to 'get strong and amass all the forces at your disposal to be strong.'"
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As a confidant of the Supreme Leader, Hasani provides a window into his thinking. In February 2006, Rooz (Day), an Iranian website close to the Islamic Republic's reformist camp, quoted Mohsen Gharavian, a Qom theologian close to Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, one of the Islamic Republic's staunchest ideologues, as saying it was only "natural" for the Islamic Republic to possess nuclear weapons.[34]

Here is a list of Iran's key nuclear sites . If you go to the website you can see a map and satellite photos. It is interesting that Iran's nuclear technology matches application for weapon use and does not match power applications.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4617398.stm#esfahan

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BUSHEHR - Nuclear power station
Iran's nuclear programme began in 1974 with plans to build a nuclear power station at Bushehr with German assistance. The project was abandoned because of the Islamic revolution five years later, but revived in 1992 when Tehran signed an agreement with Russia to resume work at the site. There are two pressurised water reactors at the site - one reportedly near completion.

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ISFAHAN - Uranium conversion plant
Iran is building a plant here to convert uranium ore into three forms:
** Hexafluoride gas - used in gas centrifuges
** Uranium oxide - used to fuel reactors, albeit not the type Iran is constructing
** Metal - often used in the cores of nuclear bombs.

The IAEA is concerned about the metal's use, as Iran's reactors do not require it as fuel.

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NATANZ - Uranium enrichment plant
Iran suspended work on an uranium enrichment plant at Natanz in 2003 - but has recently reopened the facility. In 2003, a leaked International Atomic Energy Agency report said that weapons-grade uranium had been found in samples taken from the site, although Iran blamed contaminated imported equipment, and an independent report later confirmed this.
According to some estimates, when complete, Natanz could house some 50,000 advanced gas centrifuges, which would produce enough weapons-grade uranium to produce more than 20 weapons per year. Other estimates suggest the plant will have a total of 5,000 centrifuges when initial stages of the project are completed. With that number, Iran would be able to produce sufficient enriched uranium to make a small number of nuclear weapons each year.

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ARAK - Heavy water plant
The apparent existence of a heavy water facility near the town of Arak first emerged with the publication of satellite images by the US-based Institute for Science and International Security in December 2002. Heavy water is used to moderate the nuclear fission chain reaction either in a certain type of reactor - albeit not the type that Iran is currently building - or produce plutonium for use in a nuclear bomb.

Iran claims that it wants enriched uranium for use in its nuclear power plant. Iran could use its oil to run its power plants but prefers to sell it for example, to China. However, it seems that Iran's Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei, who is also the commander-in-chief of the military, wants to change the balance of power in the Middle East.

Mohammad Nabi Rudaki stated that 164 centrifuge sets are now enriching uranium up to 4.5 percent grade....to provide our industrial and power plant needs in nuclear fuel, we will soon embark on enriching uranium to the grade of 9 percent in 3000 centrifuge sets.

On August 22 Ali Larijani, hand delivered Iran's 21-page response to UNSC 1696 the package of incentives to dissuage Iran from uranium enrichment. Iran's top nuclear negotiator said that Tehran was ready to enter "serious negotiations" over its disputed nuclear program but did not say that it was willing to suspend uranium enrichment — the West's key demand. This was because the West had offered many economic incentives.

On August 19, Iran launched a large-scale area, sea and ground exercise he maneuver, the Blow of Zolfaghar (the sword used by Imam Ali), which involved 12 divisions, army Chinook helicopters, unmanned planes, parachutists, electronic war units and special forces. Iran's state-run television reported that the new anti-aircraft system was tested "to make Iranian air space unsafe for our enemies."

On Sunday, August 20, in the Kashan desert about 250 kilometers southeast of the capital of Tehran, Iran tested the Saegheh missile which has a range of between 80 to 250 kilometers. Saegheh means lightning in Farsi. (The language of Iran is not Arabic and Iranians are not Arabs.)
Iran's arsenal also contains the Shahab-3 missile, which means "shooting star" in Farsi, and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It has a range of more than 2,000 kilometers and can reach Israel and US forces in the Middle East.

Iran's military test-fired a series of missiles during large-scale war games in the Persian Gulf in March and April, including a missile it claimed was not detectable by radar that can use multiple warheads to hit several targets simultaneously.

On August 23, 2006 an article about Iran's reply to the incentives proposal, that was posted on the Iranian Foreign Ministry-affiliated website , implied that Iran's nuclear technology had already reached the point of no return: "...

The following are excerpts from the Al-Borz report:

"It is expected that the first anniversary of the forming of the ninth government will be the date of the Ahmadinejad government's 'nuclear birth.'

"... Together with [the celebration of] the anniversary of the forming of the ninth cabinet, the president of the country [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] will hold his third press conference... where he will answer questions from journalists from Iran and from abroad.

"In addition to detailing the activities of the government at the end of [its first] year, the head of the government [i.e. Ahmadinejad] will officially present Iran's positions on: economic and cultural matters, the nuclear dossier, the activities of nuclear research centers, and developments in the region."

If what Iran wanted was nuclear power, Iran could have opted for a "light water" nuclear power plant instead of the "heavy water" nuclear power plant at Arak. Also, it has been persistent to deter IAEA inspectors on certain properties which had been agreed to under the NPT (nuclear non-proliferation treaty.)

Ali Soltanieh, Iran's permanent representative to the IAEA, denied that Iran had refused UN inspectors' access to its underground nuclear facilities at Natanz in central Iran. Iran needs to enrich uranium as a peaceful, alternative energy source and has the right to do so under the NPT, according to Iranian officials. They have told the IAEA that the traces of enriched uranium came from equipment purchased from another country, which was already contaminated.

Iran does not allow for remote monitoring of the PFEP (Pilot Feul Enrichment Plant). Or monitoring of the PHRC (Physics Research Center). Or monitoring of the P-1 and P-2 centrifuges.

On August 31, the UNSC reviewed the report from the Director General of the IAEA establishing that Iran has not ceased full and sustained suspension of all uranium enrichment and research activities.

On September 9-10, Ali Larijani, Iran's negotiator met with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Vienna to discuss incentives for Iran to discontinue enrichment of uranium. Aliasghar Soltanieh, Iranian ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency who accompanied Larijani during part of his visit, denied that a suspension was discussed with Solana. "Iran has openly said that there is no legal and technical basis for such a demand (to suspend enrichment)," he told Iranian state television in an interview aired from Vienna.
On September 10, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi stressed, "The era of suspension (of uranium enrichment) is over."
"The question of the suspension (of uranium enrichment) is a thing of the past. Iran will not take a step back."

On September 19, President Bush and President Ahmadinejad addressed the UN General Assembly.

The UNSC will meet again to address the issue of Iran's refusal to stop enriching uranium by August 31 in compliance UNSC Resolution 1696 and the requirements of the IAEA. The general assembly may adopt appropriate measures under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.

Russia and China have resisted U.S. pressure for fast action on sanctions even though they agree to them as a lever. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country is selling Iran hundred of millions of dollars in nuclear materials said, "We cannot support ultimatums that lead everyone to a dead end." Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, whose country imports almost 12 percent of its oil from Iran said, "The parties involved should be cautious about moving toward sanctions". And French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy last week appeared to suggest that the demand to stop enrichment before any talks on Iran's nuclear program begin was negotiable.

U.S. Central Command is updating a target list for Iran. Retired Gen. McInerney advocates using B-2 stealth bombers, cruise missiles and jet fighters to conduct a one- or two-day bombing campaign to take out Iran's air defenses, military facilities and about 40 nuclear targets, which includes the Russian-built reactor and an enrichment plant at Bushehr. Israel has drafted plans for air strikes using long-range versions of the F-15 and F-16 fighters.

Divine Strake - Iran delenda est.

Answer 2

I would say that statement is true. Which doesn't mean it's the *complete* truth :) All of their nuclear activities ARE transparent, the West knows everything they're doing. So far, at least, they are peaceful -- they have not used nuclear technology on a warhead, for a bomb, or to poison anybody with radiation sickness. And international inspectors have been regularly visiting their facilities.
However, since we do know everything they're doing, we know that they are enriching uranium in a way that *could* lead to material for a nuclear weapon. We also know that they're developing missiles that could carry such a weapon far from their own borders. And we know that the international inspectors have not seen everything that they've been doing. Our fear is that they will develop the *capability* of creating nuclear weapons and the ability to deliver them intercontinentally, and they appear to be developing all the parts needed to do just that.

Diplomats get very good at making statements that are true but that aren't the complete truth -- this is another example of just that :)

Answer 3

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, while suggesting the U.N. Security Council would take no action against Iran, challenged President Bush to a debate Tuesday.

The Security Council's deadline for Iran to end nuclear enrichment is this week. But Ahmadinejad said Iran has a right to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

"We have said everything in our response," he said. "I think the time to use the instrument of the Security Council has expired."

Ahmadinejad suggested a live television debate on world affairs with Bush, the Islamic Republic News

"The debate should be uncensored in order for the American people to be able to listen to what we say and they should not restrict the American people from hearing the truth," he said.

Mr. Ahmadinejad told a Tehran news conference Tuesday that no one can prevent Iran from having a peaceful nuclear program.

In Washington, the White House called the proposal an attempt to divert attention from Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran faces a U.N. Security Council deadline on Thursday to stop uranium enrichment, or face possible sanctions.

On Monday, a U.S. State Department spokesman expressed disappointment that Iran apparently intends to defy the council and continue uranium enrichment.

The spokesman, Sean McCormack, said international consultations on a response are under way.

The West accuses Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge.

Nearly three months ago, the United States and other world powers, the other permanent members of the Security Council, plus Germany, offered Iran a package of incentives if Tehran ends sensitive nuclear work and returns to negotiations on its standoff with the West.

Iran said last week it is prepared to have "serious talks" on the issue but will not give up what it calls its sovereign right to pursue nuclear technology.

Answer 4

It would be true if he said that "all the nuclear activities that we allow the world to know about are transparent". I don't think they are letting the world know about all of them.

Read up on Islam. It says they can lie to an enemy. It is ok for them to lie per their bible. And when someone says strait out they want to kill all Americans and jews would you think it is being truthful?

Islam has given the ok to kill 10 million people. Now how are you going to kill 10 million people in this day and time with out a nuke? The armys are too strong and would be stopped way before they got to the 10 million mark with just guns and rocket lanchers.

Answer 5

How could anyone possibly doubt Ahmadinejad. Of course it is true. Iran does not want a nuclear bomb. Just like Pakistan did not want a nuclear bomb. See? The bomb that Pakistan invented was an accident. Now that Pakistan sold their centrifuges to Iran, if Iran accidently develops a bomb too that does not mean that it is not for peaceful means. Atomic bombs = peace. Just read about the peaceful religion of Islam to find out about peace.

Answer 6

Remember that Saddam Hussein said that he had no weapons of mass destruction when George Bush insisted he did. Now the same thing is happening with respect to Iran. Bush is saying Iran wants to make atomic bombs. Ahmadinejad says no. I am wondering if Bush is going to make the same mistake again.

Bush's big problem is that he thinks he is the only one who knows anything about anything an no one else knows anything at all. You'd think that after being continually being proved wrong and stupid that he would get the general drift.

It is embarrassing and painful to watch George Bush make the same stupid, idiotic statements over and over when they are so obviously wrong. My favorite recent idiotic, stupid Bush statement was "The root cause is Hezbollah..."

Answer 7

Doubtful. Nuclear power leaves waste and all countries with nuclear power also have weapons. Time to give up all nukes in all countries and switch to anything that doesn't split or fuse the atom or leave a trail of chemical terror in its' wake. We have so much better technology that all arguments in favor of nuclear anything are lame at best.

Answer 8

Iran has turned nuclear inspectors away from certain sites.

Answer 9

Oh I thought you would ask about when he said he was going to follow Bush everywhere at teh UN and ask him questions and get in his face, but then punked out like a typical muslim wuzzie.

Answer 10

And our testing ground is to the South West about 1100 miles. Oh, I know, some of you call that Israel, but not to worry, it wont hurt a bit.....

Answer 11

It doesnt really matter because we have nuculer weapons. PEOPLE in america is conterdicting themselfs why do we have them but don't want anybody that disagrees with us to have them we need to go to war with another super power and see how we fair...