Only a day after Iran’s successful testing of its nuclear fuel rods, fresh tension brewed in the Gulf as Iran warns United States to pull out its Navy fleet from the Persian Gulf or face consequences. The veiled threat came on Tuesday from Iran’s military commander Major General Ataollah Salehi after the conclusion of Iran's naval parade near the Strait of Hormuz. Salehi was referring to a U.S. Aircraft carrier which had been moved last week from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman on account of its naval drill.
The United States has refused to budge from the Strait of Hormuz citing its commitment towards the safety of international maritime traffic. The Strait of Hormuz serves as the world’s largest and busiest waterway for international oil trade. If this strategic route is closed, this would have severe negative impact on global oil supply and shoot up oil prices throughout the world.
Isolation from the global community and four economic sanctions by the United Nations have already taken a heavy toll on Iran’s economy. Tuesday saw Iran’s currency, rial, hitting a record low as a new round of international sanction became a possibility. At one time, news came in that the government of Iran may stop trading relations with UAE (the United Arab Emirates) for aligning with the United States, which was later denied by the government of Iran. The question is could Iran ever be able to end the deadlock with the world community or is it destined to remain isolated from the rest of the world?
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Hosni Mubarak the ousted Egyptian President faces the trial
Hosni Mubarak, the 83-year-old former Egyptian head, appeared before the Cairo court in a gurney on Monday. Besides his two sons, Gamaal and Alaa, ex-security chief as well as six of the top police commanders during Mubarak’s regime also face trial. A verdict is expected to be reached before January 25th, to commemorate the day uprising began last year in Egypt. However, this would largely depend on how long the case proceeds and the time it takes for reviewing the evidences and documents presented.
Hosni Mubarak has been charged with killing over 800 anti-regime protesters. In the same case, he has also been accused of misusing his power by earning profit from selling gas to Israel below the prevailing market rates. Understandably, he has denied such charges. It is reported that prosecutors would have three days to present their case before the court, beginning Tuesday.
Meanwhile, there is a growing speculation in Egypt that the proceedings of the court would be manipulated or, at the very least, diluted to make way for Mubarak’s easy acquittal. Already five of the six police commanders of Mubarak’s era have been adjudged not guilty by another court in Cairo on Thursday. But should the trial be a cake walk for Mubarak, with the whole world watching? That remains to be seen.
Hosni Mubarak has been charged with killing over 800 anti-regime protesters. In the same case, he has also been accused of misusing his power by earning profit from selling gas to Israel below the prevailing market rates. Understandably, he has denied such charges. It is reported that prosecutors would have three days to present their case before the court, beginning Tuesday.
Meanwhile, there is a growing speculation in Egypt that the proceedings of the court would be manipulated or, at the very least, diluted to make way for Mubarak’s easy acquittal. Already five of the six police commanders of Mubarak’s era have been adjudged not guilty by another court in Cairo on Thursday. But should the trial be a cake walk for Mubarak, with the whole world watching? That remains to be seen.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Iran builds indigenous nuclear fuel rods ignoring UN sanctions
Iranian scientists claimed a major feat on Sunday as reports came out that they have tested their first ever indigenous nuclear fuel rods successfully. If it is true, they have openly defied the United Nations’ sanction that restricts Iran from sourcing fuel rods from overseas companies. The sanction was imposed in order to restrict the country’s atomic work and to prevent production of atomic weapons.
A year ago, Iran had put forwarded its intention to build fuel rods and plates in order to make its nuclear program completely self-sufficient – a claim that generated scant regards from the United States as they doubted Iran’s capability in building nuclear fuel rods.
The United States and its European Union allies had long feared Iran of using its nuclear program to create atomic weapons. On its part, Iran has repeatedly denied such allegations and said that they use its nuclear program purely for civilian purposes i.e. generating electricity and treating cancer patients. In the mean time, Iran has carried on with their uranium enrichment program despite repeated sanctions from the United Nations and several economic penalties by the United States and the European Union.
It is reported on Sunday that Iran has bundled together its nuclear fuel rods in the core of a nuclear reactor, where its highly enriched uranium is stored for producing cancer-treating isotopes. But at this moment, the attention of the whole world is turned towards Iran as these nuclear fuel rods (with the help of its uranium-enriched pallets) can also be used to generate fuel for nuclear reactors. Till the intention of Iran is clear, the whole world would be on tenterhooks. For, if what it claims is true, that would mean Iran is now very much closer to build a nuclear bomb than it has ever been if it so desires.
A year ago, Iran had put forwarded its intention to build fuel rods and plates in order to make its nuclear program completely self-sufficient – a claim that generated scant regards from the United States as they doubted Iran’s capability in building nuclear fuel rods.
The United States and its European Union allies had long feared Iran of using its nuclear program to create atomic weapons. On its part, Iran has repeatedly denied such allegations and said that they use its nuclear program purely for civilian purposes i.e. generating electricity and treating cancer patients. In the mean time, Iran has carried on with their uranium enrichment program despite repeated sanctions from the United Nations and several economic penalties by the United States and the European Union.
It is reported on Sunday that Iran has bundled together its nuclear fuel rods in the core of a nuclear reactor, where its highly enriched uranium is stored for producing cancer-treating isotopes. But at this moment, the attention of the whole world is turned towards Iran as these nuclear fuel rods (with the help of its uranium-enriched pallets) can also be used to generate fuel for nuclear reactors. Till the intention of Iran is clear, the whole world would be on tenterhooks. For, if what it claims is true, that would mean Iran is now very much closer to build a nuclear bomb than it has ever been if it so desires.
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