Re: US prepared to negotiate with Iran
Uranium-235 enrichment to the levels of 3-5% (civilian reactor use) is not prohibited under NPT, but the IAEA says Iran has flouted the regulation of the treaty, and is now calling to stop all it "enrichment-activities." Also widely reported -- leaked, rather, by annonymous diplomats --in the media was the news that "weapons-grade enriched uranium (at least has to be 80-90% enrichment completed to be weapons-grade) was found in Iran." Mind you, I looked at the IAEA website, and there is no mention of this story. So far it's only a "leak." Someone is claiming, equipments from Pakistan were culpable.
So, let stop frothing for a minute and see what's happening. Even Faux news reported that the country's top nuclear dude announced that Iran had achieved 3.6% enrichment of U-235 on April 9 and, upon further efforts, increased it up to 4.8% by may 3.
Hmm, let's see, one percetage point in one month. Logic dictates-- and sciencetards, correct me if I am wrong -- that to reach 80% (I doubt you could make a weapon with 60% enrichment-- adirty bomb-- because the critical mass, which is inversely proportional to square of density, would have be massive and thus render it impractical), you would need....say, 6.25 years to achieve weapons-grade. Some prominent scientists have predicted the same time horizon, if not longer. I think the enrichment process is pretty linear one, as opposed to being exponential.
Of course Israel is screeching, " Fcuk, bomb is few months away." But then, that's israel who will do anything to have Iowa farm boys die for their national security.
I dont claim to know Iran's intention -- do they want to acquire a bomb, or make one, or do they simply want to use nuclear power for civilian use (iran exports crude, not gasolinel. It's called crude for a reason), but the false urgency of the threat of a nuclear Iran in the backdrop of an Iranian oil trade in euros makes someone like me wonder. But I wear a tin-foil hat, so who is going to believe me.
Even though iran exports only 6% of world's crude oil, just remember, it's a demand-driven market now. No one can deny that the recent surge is oil prices was (check oil futures) due to the iran crisis. I fcuking hate the fact that little Israel is scared and I have to pay $10 bucks for gas this summer for calm this brat down.
Wake me up when Iran enriches U-235 to >5% levels. Links will be furnished upon request.