Saudis warn Iran deal could spur nuclear race in Mideast - By Avi Lewis - http://www.timesofisrael.com/saudis-warn-iran-deal-may-spur-middle-east-nuclear-race/
Negotiations with Tehran risk 'opening a door' to enrichment across the region, top official says
A deal that leaves Iran with the ability to enrich uranium could trigger a nuclear race across the Middle East, a senior member of the Saudi royal family warned Monday - a prospect that analysts believe will further destabilize the already volatile region.
Speaking to the BBC, Prince Turki bin Faisal al-Saud, a former director of Saudi intelligence and a former ambassador to the US, also cautioned that Tehran's aggressive behavior must be reined in - notwithstanding the outcome of current negotiations - because it threatens peace in the Middle East.
Turki said Riyadh and other capitals in the volatile region would seek the same rights as Iran to enrich uranium should that be the result of high-level negotiations with world powers currently taking place.
"I've always said whatever comes out of these talks, we will want the same. So if Iran has the ability to enrich uranium to whatever level, it's not just Saudi Arabia that's going to ask for that," Turki said.
"The whole world will be an open door to go that route without any inhibition, and that's my main objection to this P5+1 process," he said.
Top Saudi and Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that Iran is developing nuclear weapons to assert its hegemony over the region - a claim that Tehran has denied, insisting that its nuclear program is intended only for peaceful purposes.
Iran and the P5+1 - the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - are currently engaged in negotiations that would see an easing of economic sanctions vis-a-vis the Islamic Republic in exchange for some compromise on its controversial nuclear program.
Diplomats hope to arrive at an accord with Tehran by March 31, and to fine-tune the details by July 1.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif was set to continue talks with counterparts from the six powers, as well as the EU, on Monday in Switzerland, as officials indicated a deal may be only a few days off.
According to reports, an emerging deal would force Iran to freeze its drive toward nuclear weapons for at least 10 years in exchange for eased sanctions, after which restrictions would be lifted.
Saudi officials warn that the deal in its speculative current form is not effective enough - because it focuses only on Iran's nuclear program, and not on what officials say is its belligerent conduct that currently threatens the security of other Middle Eastern states.
"Iran is already a disruptive player in various scenes in the Arab world, whether it's Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, or Bahrain," Prince Turki said.
"So ending fear of developing weapons of mass destruction is not going to be the end of the troubles we're having with Iran. Now it seems that Iran is expanding its occupation of Iraq and that is unacceptable," he said.
According to unconfirmed reports, in the event that a "bad deal" will leave the Islamic Republic with the ability to produce atomic weapons, Saudi Arabia "would let Israeli jets use their air space to attack Iran" - a pre-preemptive move that analysts say may signal reticent, but warming ties between Riyadh and the Jewish State in the shadow of the Iranian nuclear threat.
Prince Turki also dismissed claims that fighting the Islamic State terror group would entail the need for a tacit alliance between the United States and Iran.
Both countries have signaled that they will oppose the brutal Iraq-and-Syria-based Islamist organization by military means if necessary.
"Inevitably I believe fighting [IS], or Fahash as I prefer to call it, is fighting Assad," Prince Turki said, using an Arabic word for obscene.
"It's because of Assad's treatment of his people that Fahash has taken advantage of the situation... so the enemy is both Fahash and Bashar al-Assad," he said.
Iran launches mass production of cruise missiles despite deal - Yael Klein - http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/middle-east/the-arab-world/iran-launches-production-of-cruise-missiles-despite-deal-12242
Despite nuclear negotiations with the West, Iran unveiled its new long-range cruise missiles today (Sat), and announced the launch of their mass production.
It seems the negotiations with the great powers and Iran's military actions have never been less coincided. Nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers will be taking place in Switzerland tomorrow (Sun), and today Iran proudly announced it has started to produce long-range cruise missiles, which, when ready, will be designated to attack in the Strait of Hormuz in case of war.
Iran's aerospace industries unveiled the missiles, and claimed to have begun a mass production of them. When ready, the missiles will be transferred to the Revolutionary Guards. General Hossein Dehqan, who addressed the media, claimed Iran has successfully tested the cruise missile several times, and that the production process is ready to begin.
"Today, we are simultaneously witnessing the launch of the mass production line and the delivery of this strategic and effective missile in the domain of defense and marine battle," he stated. The new generation of missiles can reach a range 300 kilometers, has quick reaction capabilities, and is capable of flying at a low altitude, according to the Iranian report.
The missile is designated to operate in the Persian Gulf, and specifically in the Strait of Hormuz, which paves the way from the Gulf to the Indian Ocean. This is one of the most important strategic spots in the world, for the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait export their oil through the strait, and American navy ships pass through there regularly.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY ALL NEW PROPHECY AND CREATION DESIGN WEBSITES. THERE IS A LOT TO SEE AND DO..........
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.