Iran Rebuffs Nuke Inspectors Trying to Visit Suspected Weapons Site - Polidicks

[release] WASHINGTON: A dramatic visit by UN inspectors to Iran amid rising international tension failed to get answers about whether Iran seeks the bomb. This raises concerns the Islamic Republic may be trying to delay tough economic sanctions against it rather than responding to the growing international suspicion about its nuclear ambitions. Iran tried to draw maximum publicity through a show of cooperation with inspectors from the UN watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency who visited Tehran this week. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran was "prepared to make arrangements for inspection" of nuclear sites but that the IAEA team had not asked to go. But IAEA chief inspector Herman Nackaerts and the agency number two Rafael Grossi, who headed the inspectors, did not want to visit nuclear sites, which are already monitored by the IAEA. They wanted to see Parchin, a weapons testing ground, and also to see crucial documents and scientists who work there or are connected to such work, diplomats said. The IAEA had published in November an extensive report about alleged atomic weapons research by Iran, and Parchin was a key link in this. The IAEA has also been seeking for years to interview the man believed to head Iran's alleged covert military nuclear program, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, and once again did not get to him. The Iranians refused access to Parchin, saying it was not a site where there is nuclear material and so the IAEA which verifies use of such material had no business there. This, however, goes to the crux of what the IAEA is now trying to do, which is to verify possible nuclear weapons research that may have been carried out without nuclear material. This can include learning how to make the trigger which sets of atomic bombs or the neutron initiator which speeds up the explosive chain reaction. The IAEA needs to investigate such matters, grouped under the heading "possible military dimensions" of Iran's nuclear work, before it can say whether the Iranian program is a peaceful or military one. Iran's willingness to open its doors to a senior IAEA team was seen as a hopeful sign in what is an escalating confrontation. The United States and Europe are imposing sanctions on the purchase from Iran of oil, the lifeblood of its economy. Congress may call for even tougher measures. Iran has responded to the punitive measures with threats to cut off the Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of the world's sea-transported oil passes. The United States successfully called Iran's bluff, sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln through the straits late last month. To make sure Iran got the message about the straits international stature, the carrier was escorted by French and British ships as she passed through the narrow passage. Closing the straits to international shipping, could, of course, lead to conflict with the US Navy and to a world economic crisis. To complete the picture, there are growing noises from Israel about a possible military attack against Iran's nuclear installations. The IAEA inspectors are set to return to Iran on February 21. The agency said in a terse press statement from its headquarters in Vienna that it is "committed to intensifying dialog. It remains essential to make progress on substantive issues." A road map for going forward remains to be finalized even if the Iranians told Nackaerts they were ready to answer questions about possible military dimensions of their nuclear work. If the Iranians do this, it will be a major breakthrough. The Iranians have refused to clarify these issues and have blocked any meetings about them since August 2008. Their stonewalling this week over Parchin is not a good sign nor is a past during which the Iranians have agreed to talks when threatened with sanctions or other such measures, only to delay answering while they drag out talks as long as possible. The jury is still out on whether Iran is ready to cooperate, even with international pressure rising sharply against it.[/release] [url]http://defense.aol.com/2012/02/02/iran-rebuffs-nuke-inspectors-trying-to-visit-suspected-weapons-s/[/url] Pretty sure everyone knew this was coming

Do they do surprise visits? If not, then announcing it means that anyone would be able to hide what they are doing.

So, essentially, the Iranians wanted to show off existing, already-monitored sites, the IAEA said no, asked to see a different site, and the Iranians say no? Sounds awfully suspicious, if you ask me.

[QUOTE=zombini;34537023]Do they do surprise visits? If not, then announcing it means that anyone would be able to hide what they are doing.[/QUOTE] Considering they aren't letting them go to the important places either way, it doesn't matter much.

sooo shit real yet?

Nope, not until that second inspection is over.

Stopped reading when Iran was described as an 'Islamic Republic.' Stops being journalism and becomes propaganda.

[QUOTE=archangel125;34537504]Stopped reading when Iran was described as an 'Islamic Republic.' Stops being journalism and becomes propaganda.[/QUOTE] Except they only call it that once and the full name of Iran is, "The Islamic Republic of Iran?"

I wouldn't be surprised if they had nukes, because I'd totally have them if I were Iran.

[QUOTE=archangel125;34537504]Stopped reading when Iran was described as an 'Islamic Republic.' Stops being journalism and becomes propaganda.[/QUOTE] Yeah this sure looks like propaganda alright. :rolleyes:

My problem is that all the news articles I've been seeing from Western agencies portray Iran as some kind of bomb about to explode and the US, Israel and other western countries as concerned responsible adults instead of the bullies they are. Before you rate me dumb, I'm talking about governments and not citizenry. Unfortunately, propaganda does also affect the citizenry to a great extent.

[QUOTE=archangel125;34537609]My problem is that all the news articles I've been seeing from Western agencies portray Iran as some kind of bomb about to explode and the US, Israel and other western countries as concerned responsible adults instead of the bullies they are. Before you rate me dumb, I'm talking about governments and not citizenry. Unfortunately, propaganda does also affect the citizenry to a great extent.[/QUOTE] You were complaining that the journalist called it by its actual name. The Islamic Republic of Iran

[QUOTE=Thlis;34537973]You were complaining that the journalist called it by its actual name. The Islamic Republic of Iran[/QUOTE] Yes, it may be called the Islamic Republic of Iran, but in the West today, even in Canada to an extent, Islam is a bad word. It's not got a good ring to it and journalists know this well. It does alter opinions, and because of ignorance many are ill-disposed toward it. Okay, let me back up a bit and sum this up as I see it: Iran didn't pose any special threat to anyone before the USA and Israel started antagonizing them. If they were developing nuclear weapons, they weren't (and aren't) developing them to use against their enemies, but instead to make enemies think twice before attacking them. Ever since the USA obtained nukes, they've been dickwaving all over the place because they know nukes make others fear them, or at least respect their power. Since the USA knows this so well, it suddenly came to this realization: "FUCK ME, ISRAEL AND IRAN ARE ENEMIES AND WE ONLY WANT ISRAEL TO HAVE NUKES BECAUSE THEY'RE OUR BIGGEST ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST." So the USA began a massive propaganda campaign to make Iran look like the bad guys. They pressured the UN, along with Israel and states in NATO, to create sanctions against Iran and basically cripple their trade. Other arab nations jumped on the bandwagon because they're Sunni muslims and Iran is mostly Shi'ite Islam. Remember how much England and France were at each others' throats because of the whole Catholic/Protestant thing? Same idea. So Iran, as far as I know, hasn't done a whole lot to anyone to deserve this treatment, but the whole of NATO is trying to provoke them. Like the school bully repeatedly stomping on a kid's toes, they're waiting for Iran to snap and do something violent, and then they can rush in guns blazing and make Iran look like the villain. If I'm wrong about this and someone has information I didn't know about, please post it and if you have a point I'll review my argument.

[QUOTE=archangel125;34538057]Yes, it may be called the Islamic Republic of Iran, but in the West today, even in Canada to an extent, Islam is a bad word.[/QUOTE] So what? Referring to it as something else is as stupid as changing french fries to freedom fries because some people are offended by the French.

[QUOTE=Thlis;34538203]So fucking what? Referring to it as something else is as stupid as changing french fries to freedom fries.[/QUOTE] I'm pretty sure Iran is referred to as Iran, and you only say 'THE IIIISLLLAMMMIIIC REPUBLICCC OOOFFFF IIIIIIIIIIIIRRRAAAANNNN' when youre deliberately trying to make a point. It is also relatively old in the news, so its not like no one knows what its called, and so they dont need to use its Islamo-name.

[QUOTE=archangel125;34538057]Yes, it may be called the Islamic Republic of Iran, but in the West today, even in Canada to an extent, Islam is a bad word. It's not got a good ring to it and journalists know this well. It does alter opinions, and because of ignorance many are ill-disposed toward it. Okay, let me back up a bit and sum this up as I see it: Iran didn't pose any special threat to anyone before the USA and Israel started antagonizing them. If they were developing nuclear weapons, they weren't (and aren't) developing them to use against their enemies, but instead to make enemies think twice before attacking them. Ever since the USA obtained nukes, they've been dickwaving all over the place because they know nukes make others fear them, or at least respect their power. Since the USA knows this so well, it suddenly came to this realization: "FUCK ME, ISRAEL AND IRAN ARE ENEMIES AND WE ONLY WANT ISRAEL TO HAVE NUKES BECAUSE THEY'RE OUR BIGGEST ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST." So the USA began a massive propaganda campaign to make Iran look like the bad guys. They pressured the UN, along with Israel and states in NATO, to create sanctions against Iran and basically cripple their trade. Other arab nations jumped on the bandwagon because they're Sunni muslims and Iran is mostly Shi'ite Islam. Remember how much England and France were at each others' throats because of the whole Catholic/Protestant thing? Same idea. So Iran, as far as I know, hasn't done a whole lot to anyone to deserve this treatment, but the whole of NATO is trying to provoke them. Like the school bully repeatedly stomping on a kid's toes, they're waiting for Iran to snap and do something violent, and then they can rush in guns blazing and make Iran look like the villain. If I'm wrong about this and someone has information I didn't know about, please post it and if you have a point I'll review my argument.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1157284[/url] [quote=archangel125]If there is a war, and if Canada gets involved, I will be standing with them. We didn't pick this fight, but we can sure as hell finish it.[/quote] ^ This was on the topic of Iran. You are such a goddamn hypocrite it's not even funny. [quote]I don't buy into that either. I'm simply saying that if Canada engages in military action against Iran, I'll probably enlist.[/quote] And my personal favorite, when addressing someone from the U.S. on the issue of Iran: [quote]Your country's the one with the big guns. YOU do something. Edited: I'll fight if Canada goes to war, but until then I'm not going to ask for it.[/quote]

But IAEA chief inspector Herman Nackaerts and the agency number two Rafael Grossi, who headed the inspectors, did not want to visit nuclear sites, which are already monitored by the IAEA. They wanted to see Parchin, a weapons testing ground, [B]and also to see crucial documents and scientists who work there or are connected to such work, diplomats said. [/B]The IAEA had published in November an extensive report about alleged atomic weapons research by Iran, and Parchin was a key link in this. The IAEA has also been seeking for years to interview the man believed to head Iran's alleged covert military nuclear program, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, and once again did not get to him. Did they expect to see a list after IAEA leaked the name of a nuclear professor got assassinated less then a couple weeks ago.

Maybe I'm playing devil's advocate here, but imagine if some UN department during routine inspections of American nuclear sites suddenly said they want to check out area 51. Somehow I don't think the US would be all too compliant either.

[QUOTE=V12US;34539575]Maybe I'm playing devil's advocate here, but imagine if some UN department during routine inspections of American nuclear sites suddenly said they want to check out area 51. Somehow I don't think the US would be all too compliant either.[/QUOTE] Yeah, but on the other hand we already have nukes, so what would we be hiding there?

[QUOTE=archangel125;34538057]Yes, it may be called the Islamic Republic of Iran, but in the West today, even in Canada to an extent, Islam is a bad word. It's not got a good ring to it and journalists know this well. It does alter opinions, and because of ignorance many are ill-disposed toward it. Okay, let me back up a bit and sum this up as I see it: Iran didn't pose any special threat to anyone before the USA and Israel started antagonizing them. If they were developing nuclear weapons, they weren't (and aren't) developing them to use against their enemies, but instead to make enemies think twice before attacking them. Ever since the USA obtained nukes, they've been dickwaving all over the place because they know nukes make others fear them, or at least respect their power. Since the USA knows this so well, it suddenly came to this realization: "FUCK ME, ISRAEL AND IRAN ARE ENEMIES AND WE ONLY WANT ISRAEL TO HAVE NUKES BECAUSE THEY'RE OUR BIGGEST ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST." So the USA began a massive propaganda campaign to make Iran look like the bad guys. They pressured the UN, along with Israel and states in NATO, to create sanctions against Iran and basically cripple their trade. Other arab nations jumped on the bandwagon because they're Sunni muslims and Iran is mostly Shi'ite Islam. Remember how much England and France were at each others' throats because of the whole Catholic/Protestant thing? Same idea. So Iran, as far as I know, hasn't done a whole lot to anyone to deserve this treatment, but the whole of NATO is trying to provoke them. Like the school bully repeatedly stomping on a kid's toes, they're waiting for Iran to snap and do something violent, and then they can rush in guns blazing and make Iran look like the villain. If I'm wrong about this and someone has information I didn't know about, please post it and if you have a point I'll review my argument.[/QUOTE] Only idiots find Islam to be a dirty work. I personally, am not bothered what so ever by Islam.

[QUOTE=DanTehMan;34538323][url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1157284[/url] ^ This was on the topic of Iran. You are such a goddamn hypocrite it's not even funny. And my personal favorite, when addressing someone from the U.S. on the issue of Iran:[/QUOTE] I don't see me contradicting myself at all there. If there's a war with Iran, I'll fight in it on the side of my country. I don't have to like it, and I'm not stupid enough to believe it's for a noble cause. But I'm also not going to sit on my ass and talk politics while other Canadians are out there risking their necks. Call it principle.

[QUOTE=archangel125;34543294]I don't see me contradicting myself at all there. If there's a war with Iran, I'll fight in it on the side of my country. I don't have to like it, and I'm not stupid enough to believe it's for a noble cause. But I'm also not going to sit on my ass and talk politics while other Canadians are out there risking their necks. Call it principle.[/QUOTE] So you'll abandon your ethics and go kill people in an unjust war?

[QUOTE=archangel125;34543294]I don't see me contradicting myself at all there. If there's a war with Iran, I'll fight in it on the side of my country. I don't have to like it, and I'm not stupid enough to believe it's for a noble cause. But I'm also not going to sit on my ass and talk politics while other Canadians are out there risking their necks. Call it principle.[/QUOTE] I just love it how you call out our hypocracy, and the fact that you believe we shouldn't be over there in the first place, yet previously had said, "Your country's the one with the big guns. YOU do something."

I don't know if this is some brilliant scheme by archangel to get us to ignore the article or he's just being THAT stupid about it.

*ding dong* "Who is it?" "Nuke inspector, ma'm"

[QUOTE=DanTehMan;34543868]I just love it how you call out our hypocracy, and the fact that you believe we shouldn't be over there in the first place, yet previously had said, "Your country's the one with the big guns. YOU do something."[/QUOTE] Did you read the context? At all? Or did you simply quote me while carefully excluding the posts I was responding to as an attempt to make it seem to other Facepunchers like I'm being an asshole here? [url=http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1157284]Here's[/url] another link to that thread. Just in case anyone wants to see what the person I was responding to was saying about Canada. [editline]4th February 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=carcarcargo;34540493]Only idiots find Islam to be a dirty work. I personally, am not bothered what so ever by Islam.[/QUOTE] There are a lot of idiots in the world.

Either they are developing nukes or they just don't want to let anyone inspect them out of spite anymore due to the constant sanctions and all that assasination and sabotage jazz. [IMG]http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20041118cartoon.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE=zombini;34537023]Do they do surprise visits? If not, then announcing it means that anyone would be able to hide what they are doing.[/QUOTE] How do you hide a nuclear weapons manufacturing plant? Hide it in your garage and put a tarpaulin over it?

[QUOTE=archangel125;34544211]Did you read the context? At all? Or did you simply quote me while carefully excluding the posts I was responding to as an attempt to make it seem to other Facepunchers like I'm being an asshole here? [url=http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1157284]Here's[/url] another link to that thread. Just in case anyone wants to see what the person I was responding to was saying about Canada. [editline]4th February 2012[/editline] There are a lot of idiots in the world.[/QUOTE] Actually I did include a link to that thread, and even with the posts surrounding them they do not change their meaning at all. I encourage people to look through the thread as well. I don't need to make you look like an asshole because you do so well all on your own.

[QUOTE=DanTehMan;34544422]I don't need to make you look like an asshole because you do so well all on your own.[/QUOTE] Why, thank you!

Does this remind anyone else of Iraq prior to our invasion?