As you might have read in today's paper Iran has announced the planning of ten new uranium enrichment sites - just after the condemnation by the UN of the site that they recently submitted to the UN nuclear proliferation watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This is such a bummer of a situation and one that I really don't understand well.
It should be noted that in the recent press it was often reported that the international community "discovered" the existance of the recent site in Qom. In fact, the BBC article that came out today says "On Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution that was heavily critical of Iran for covering up a uranium enrichment plant near the town of Qom." This is quite interesting BECAUSE - the site was not discovered at all. Iran submitted a letter to the IAEA stating that they were building a new site. ** It should be noted here** that in the Nuclear Non Profliferation Treaty (that Iran has signed) signatory states are required to notify the IAEA 180 days before the site is operational. Iran's letter to the agency said that the site would be operational in about THREE YEARS.
The site was not discovered - it was announced by Iran in the legal terms set out by the NPT.
Today's turn of events prompted me to read the NPT - why not? Here is the link - it's only five pages and quite short (i read it in less than five minutes). Article X is quite interesting: it reserves the right of all signatory parties to WITHDRAW from the treaty at any time if they believe that their country's "supreme interest" is in jepordy. They are required to give the IAEA three months notification. Food for though.
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