Tim Marshall, foreign affairs editor
The presence of Russian officials at the opening of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant has alarmed the Obama administration and made the Israelis and Arabs nervous.
Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant
It has also worried the European powers who are clinging to the hope of Russian assistance in preventing an Iranian bomb.
The Iranians have finally opened Bushehr 34 years after it was built by the Russians.
It is now being tested with 'virtual fuel', a lead based material designed to imitate enriched uranium. The plant is expected to become fully operational later this year.
Sergei Kiriyenko
Although no enriched uranium is being used, the Iranians have moved a step nearer to mastering nuclear technology.
This in turn means that, for those who do not believe Tehran's claims that it only seeks civilian nuclear power, they are closer to a nuclear bomb.
Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Iran had past the 'nuclear breakout capacity' of a tonne of fissile material which is enough to make a bomb.
If, while conducting their tests, the Iranians continue to enrich and build centrifuges to spin the enriched uranium, it could move to building a nuclear weapon within two years.
The current thinking in Western intelligence circles is deeply pessimistic about the future.
The CIA and other agencies believe that the Russians will not co-operate diplomatically with the other UN Permanent five members to force Iran to open up all its facilities.
The presence of Russia's nuclear agency chief Sergei Kiriyenko at the Bushehr opening has only added to the gloom.
The Obama administration made overtures to Moscow offering to re-think the deployment of the American missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. In return it hoped to get co-operation on Iran.
Instead, the Russians appear to be offering more assistance in Afghanistan. Here they hold some of the cards on the thorny issue of Americas supply route into Afghanistan, if the Pakistan route becomes untenable.
The Arabs are terrified of Iran getting a bomb knowing that if it does several other countries in the region will join the arms race.
The Israelis feel the issue is an existential threat, and the Europeans are in despair at how to get meaningful diplomatic dialogue going with Russian support.
All eyes now are on the prospects of direct talks between Washington and Tehran.
The big question? Is Iran bluffing in order to get an across the board deal with America? Or does it intend to become the regional nuclear superpower come what may?
can be viewed from the link below
Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Opens, Presence Of Russian Officials Alarms US | World News | Sky News
The presence of Russian officials at the opening of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant has alarmed the Obama administration and made the Israelis and Arabs nervous.
Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant
It has also worried the European powers who are clinging to the hope of Russian assistance in preventing an Iranian bomb.
The Iranians have finally opened Bushehr 34 years after it was built by the Russians.
It is now being tested with 'virtual fuel', a lead based material designed to imitate enriched uranium. The plant is expected to become fully operational later this year.
Sergei Kiriyenko
Although no enriched uranium is being used, the Iranians have moved a step nearer to mastering nuclear technology.
This in turn means that, for those who do not believe Tehran's claims that it only seeks civilian nuclear power, they are closer to a nuclear bomb.
Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Iran had past the 'nuclear breakout capacity' of a tonne of fissile material which is enough to make a bomb.
If, while conducting their tests, the Iranians continue to enrich and build centrifuges to spin the enriched uranium, it could move to building a nuclear weapon within two years.
The current thinking in Western intelligence circles is deeply pessimistic about the future.
The CIA and other agencies believe that the Russians will not co-operate diplomatically with the other UN Permanent five members to force Iran to open up all its facilities.
The presence of Russia's nuclear agency chief Sergei Kiriyenko at the Bushehr opening has only added to the gloom.
The Obama administration made overtures to Moscow offering to re-think the deployment of the American missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. In return it hoped to get co-operation on Iran.
Instead, the Russians appear to be offering more assistance in Afghanistan. Here they hold some of the cards on the thorny issue of Americas supply route into Afghanistan, if the Pakistan route becomes untenable.
The Arabs are terrified of Iran getting a bomb knowing that if it does several other countries in the region will join the arms race.
The Israelis feel the issue is an existential threat, and the Europeans are in despair at how to get meaningful diplomatic dialogue going with Russian support.
All eyes now are on the prospects of direct talks between Washington and Tehran.
The big question? Is Iran bluffing in order to get an across the board deal with America? Or does it intend to become the regional nuclear superpower come what may?
can be viewed from the link below
Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Opens, Presence Of Russian Officials Alarms US | World News | Sky News
