Iran Insists on Furthering its Nuclear Program

What a shame. Even the IAEA has stepped in and called for a stop to Iran's uranium enrichment.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President, refused.

The Times Online reports that the deadline passed yesterday, and early indications point to the fact that Iran has not yet halted its program.

The Times also says that

In a confidential report obtained by The Times, it also listed numerous cases of non-co-operation by the Iranian authorities with atomic inspectors. It also reported finding samples of highly enriched uranium at a technical university suspected of conducting military research work.

The findings, set out by Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, the director-general of the IAEA, were seized on by the Bush Administration as evidence that Iran is trying secretly to build a nuclear weapon and should now be punished.

I will not, however, jump on the Bush Administration and make scathing remarks. This is the time for a real look at what's going on, and what kind of action we as a nation should take.

Sure could use some of that worldwide respect from a few years ago, though. Mmmm. Hurts. Sure does.