Proliferation

Iran has announced it will cheerfully transfer nuclear technology to all takers in the Middle East. While such transfers are not illegal under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty provided certain conditions are met. Since Iran is itself out of compliance with the terms of the treaty (hiding parts of its program from IAEA inspection), it is highly questionable that the transfer would meet the conditions. Off to the races, folks.

The television said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a top Kuwaiti envoy he welcomed the decision by the Islamic republic's Arab neighbors to pursue peaceful nuclear technology.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to transfer to regional states its valuable experience and achievements in the field of peaceful nuclear technology as a clean energy source and as a replacement for oil," the state quoted Ahmadinejad as telling Mohammed Zefollah Shirar, a top adviser to Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

Such a technological transfer would be legal as long as it is between signatory states to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and as long as the International Atomic Energy Agency that monitors the treaty was informed of the transfer.

Iran is at odds with the United States and its European allies, who accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed solely at the peaceful production of nuclear energy.

Edgar Vasquez, a State Department spokesman, told the AP on Saturday that Iran's continued defiance of international nuclear safeguards represents "a serious threat" to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"We expect Iran to comply with international obligations under the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and its safeguards agreement with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)," Vasquez said.

James Baker wants the US to talk to these guys. That'll work well. Unless something concrete is done soon about Iran there will be a regional arms race and eventually a very, very nasty war. This is a regime emboldened by the West's bumbling responses to Iranian aggression. "Polite society" is making war inevitable with the paving job they are doing.