Iran appears to be prepared for the worst in the row over its nuclear programme, even if it is still also pinning hopes on diplomacy. There will be no rapid solution to the conflict, analysts agree. The current, second, mission by observers from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog is not expected to change the situation.
"An old Persian proverb comes to mind," an Iranian political scientist says. "I keep telling him the cow is an ox and he insists he still wants milk." Iran insists its nuclear programme is for purely peaceful purposes and that there is no covert weapons programme - while the West demands wants to know where Tehran's secret bomb is being constructed.
"We've been listening to this story for more than 10 years, and neither side has been able to demonstrate its view point conclusively," the political scientist says. "We have nothing to hide. How often do we have to tell you this?" Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tells the West. Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are reportedly trying to meet the scientists they believe to be working behind the scenes on the weapons programme during their visit.
In addition, the team wants to pay a renewed visit to the Parchin military complex near Tehran, where tests simulating nuclear missile warheads have been carried out, according to the latest IAEA report. Tehran is reported to have rejected both requests. "If Iran wants to deal satisfactorily with these allegations, then the IAEA people have to be shown Parchin at least. Otherwise, the whole cycle will start afresh in a couple of months," a foreign diplomat says in Tehran.
The IAEA paid a visit to Parchin in 2005, though it remains unclear what exactly they were shown there. They found nothing suspicious. However, it has been reported that the relevant part of the complex has been demolished. Iran is fully aware that the West is in earnest this time. War looms, at least in the possibility of airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
"We are prepared for the worst-case scenario," Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi says, reflecting Tehran's policy of demonstrating resolve while also showing readiness for dialogue. The Oil Ministry has shut off exports to France and Britain and has threatened to do the same to all European Union members. But Salehi has not given up on diplomacy and insists that good and tension-free relations with the EU are a top Iranian priority. Sanctions already imposed and others announced by the United States and the EU have made an impact even before being fully implemented. "An impact to be sure, but not on the government - rather on the ordinary people," an Iranian journalist says.
The national currency, the rial, has plunged in value. Iranians doing their shopping ahead of the Persian New Year on March 21 have felt the effect of that on the prices of imported goods. "The government intends to pursue its own course, while the West is doing the same. And once again, ordinary people have to pay for these games," says Jawad V, who works at a bank. He has had to drastically cut back his New Year shopping list.
Jawad's wife is also irritated by the long-running battle over the nuclear programme. The IAEA should be clear on what it means, instead of throwing up suspicions without proof, she says. "I'm anti-war, but perhaps that's the only solution to end this conflict," she muses.
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