An Iranian financial institution yesterday complained of being hit with U.S. economic penalties for allegedly supporting Tehran's nuclear activities, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Oct. 23).
The United States and other countries suspect that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at developing a nuclear bomb, a charge Tehran vehemently denies.
"The American decision has no legal basis," the Export Development Bank of Iran said in a statement, calling the sanctions "an attempt to distract attention from the [U.S.] economic crisis."
The bank added that it had never deviated from international law in carrying out its business (Agence France-Presse/Google News, Oct. 23).
Meanwhile, an Israeli defense analyst has said that Iran's nuclear program is likely too developed for other nations to curtail the country's possible nuclear-weapon ambitions, the Toronto Star reported today.
"No serious action is being taken," added Emily Landau, an expert at the Israel-based Institute for National Security Studies. "It's difficult to avoid the disturbing conclusion that Iran will not be deterred by the international community."
Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons would have worldwide political implications, she said.
"The Persian Gulf states are already in a state of near panic," according to Landau. "In a very real sense, his is a global problem."
Any attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would have to come from Israel or the United States, said institute deputy chief Ephraim Kam. Landau questioned whether military action at this point could undo Tehran's atomic activities, but said it must remain an option (Oakland Ross, Toronto Star, Oct. 24).