Iran Restarts Uranium Enrichment

During a visit to Moscow by French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin, France and Russia made demands to Iran to stop the uranium enrichment resumed on Monday, a first step for producing fuel for atomic weapons and nuclear reactors. China also pleaded for increased diplomatic efforts in stopping Iran's nuclear program.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after confirming Iran's intentions, demanded the U.N. Security Council for sanctions. Though Iran is years away from producing the fuel, this decision represents a violation of the already shaky political relations between Tehran and the foreign governments.

The IAEA is seriously concerned for Iran's decision, but any decision was postponed until March 6, when the general director, Mohamed ElBaradei, will present the clear situation Iran is in. Considering these, Iran has two options: either renouncing to the nuclear program and thus being accepted in the International community, which will result in numerous investments, or continuing with these risky actions, facing cold treatment and various sanctions on technology, resources, economy.

Iran's officials characterized their acts as a proof of independence and the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said in a televised speech that his country is trying to develop nuclear technology for fuel, accusing the other countries of mistrust.

Still, Iran is considering the proposal of receiving fuel produced somewhere else, having scheduled a meeting with the Russian authorities on February 20.