Der Spiegel reports that Iran will soon have enough enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb. How soon? Hot Air answers:
Even if they’re exaggerating, though, EU computer models of the enrichment facility at Natanz show that if Iran’s figured out how to operate its centrifuges at peak efficiency — a big if, but technological breakthroughs in this area aren’t beyond their reach — they could have bomb material by … the end of the year. Operating at 25% efficiency? Next year. When, at least, we’ll have the audacity of hope to dazzle them with.
Apparently the Iranians didn’t draw the same conclusion from the NIE that American pundits and policy makers did.
(via memeorandum)
In the meantime one of the measures to contain Iran is under legal attack.
On December 19, 2007, a U.S.-based law firm succeeded in freezing the funds of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) in France on behalf of American clients who, in the judgment of U.S. courts, were victims of terrorist attacks sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Four CBI accounts at Natexis Banques Populaire totaling 90 million Euros, 52 million Swiss francs, and 25 million British pounds were included the freeze. CBI accounts at Bank Melli (the National Bank of Iran) in Paris that held 231 million Euros and $52 million were also frozen.The action taken against Iranian accounts in Europe to enforce U.S. court judgments was unprecedented. Presently, the freeze is being challenged in French courts; on February 24, 2008, a French appellate court will decide whether the freeze should be lifted or U.S. court judgments against Iran should be enforced. The recipients of Iranian funding, like Hizbullah and Hamas, have not only undermined U.S. interests, but also French national interest in the Levant. Moreover, Hamas has been designated by the European Union as an international terrorist organization.
That hasn’t deterred the Bush administration from taking economic action against Iran’s ally Syria.
The Bush administration yesterday froze the U.S. assets and restricted the financial transactions of Syrian businessman Rami Makhluf, a powerful behind-the-scenes middle man for the Syrian government, in a move targeting the political and economic inner sanctum in Damascus.As a cousin of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Makhluf, 38, is a key player in the Assad dynasty and is the force behind Syria’s effort to privatize state-owned enterprises. However, his power over vital business monopolies has helped the government retain control over Syria’s most important economic assets, according to U.S. officials and outside experts.
“Once you hit Rami Makhluf, you’re at war with Syria,” said Joshua M. Landis, a former Fulbright scholar in Syria who teaches at the University of Oklahoma. “When you sanction Rami Makhluf, you’re also sanctioning all the people who deal with him, including the wealthiest and most powerful people in the country.”
One can only hope that the economic sanctions will be effective in containing Iran and preventing it from developing nuclear weapons and restrain its efforts in extending its influence. Right now, it doesn’t appear that it will be enough.
Crossposted on Soccer Dad.
