Iran's nuclear programme, which it insists, is aimed at acquiring energy in accordance with the NPT provisions, is increasingly turning into a test of wills between Tehran and the West (EU&US), while some related developments pose new challenges to the Iranian position. Not too long ago, the country had announced the suspension of its nuclear activities to give a chance to EU's big three - Britain, France, and Germany - to find an amicable resolution of the issue, though all along it refused to renounce its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. It has now started feeling frustrated over what it regards as EU's adamant attitude.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi told journalists on Thursday, "If there is no agreement and negotiations collapse, there is no choice but to restart the programme." The Iranian Supreme leader, Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, in comments directed at the West, primarily the US, has stated that Iran's nuclear programme is "none of your (West's) business."
For their part the Europeans continue to stick to their position that Iran must give up all its nuclear energy generation activities in exchange for appropriate incentives. That is, they want to ensure that at no point in future Iran will use its nuclear fuel generation programme to make nuclear weapons.
In the meantime, Russia, which has been providing Iran with material as well as technical help, over American and European objections, for the setting up of the controversial Bushehre plant, has also expressed its reservations about Iran's intentions. On a maiden visit to Israel, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference in Jerusalem last Thursday that the agreement under which Iran was to return spent nuclear fuel - to ensure that it is not used to make bombs - "does not seem to be enough".
He did add, though, that Tehran's programme is "within the boundaries of peaceful purposes." Iran, of course, has acquired the help it has received for its nuclear plant under an agreement, not through furtive means. If 'it is not enough', Russia is equally to blame for the arrangement's inadequacy.
However, Putin may not have meant what his remarks - made under intense, nuanced questioning by Israeli reporters - apparently convey. Whatever his intention, his remarks have come at a particularly awkward moment for Iran.
Commendably for it, the EU has succeeded in persuading the gung-ho Bush administration to give up the path of confrontation with Iran in favour of a negotiated settlement of the nuclear issue. But it may be recalled that the speech in which Bush announced his support for the EU efforts, included the following intimidating words, "having said that, all options remain on the table."
The legal option, in case of Iran's non-compliance, is for the UNSC to approve a sanctions regime against the country. The option of invading and occupying Iran is practically out after the fiasco in Iraq. But Bush has another option in mind, which he has not taken long to ready.
Last Tuesday, the US Defence Department notified Congress of a $30 million proposed deal, under which it is to supply Israel with GBU-28 'bunker busters' that can be dropped, on Iran's nuclear facilities, from Israeli Air Force's F-15 fighter aircraft.
It is no secret that Israel is most anxious about Iran acquiring nuclear capability, and in fact, it has been threatening the Islamic state with dire consequences in case it decides to press ahead with its nuclear programme. If things come to such a pass, they can lead to unforeseen disastrous results not only for Iran but others in the region as well.
The only decent option is for Iran and the EU to continue to pursue the course of negotiations. This fact is not lost on either Iran or the Europeans. Despite the stalemate they have continued to talk.
The Europeans are said to be biding their time till the June 17 presidential elections in Iran, after which, they believe, the country's leadership will be in a stronger position to make the necessary changes in the country's present hard stance on its right to acquire nuclear energy.
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