Iran juggles 'soft' and 'hard' tactics to resist pressure

On August 31, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech that Iran would never yield to pressure from western countries or allow any country to infringe its rights. Holding talks with former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez Marquez a day before, Ahmadinejad called on European nations not to impose sanctions on Iran after August 31. He said that none of the sanctions the United Nation Security Council had threatened to impose would convince Iran to suspend its nuclear program. Ahmadinejad's statements confused people and caused greater concern in the international community about the Iranian nuclear issue.

On August 22, Ali Larijani, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and Supreme National Security Council Secretary gave Iran's formal response to a package endorsed by Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and the US. As many expected, Iran did not give a clear 'yes' or 'no', leaving the international community uncertain about whether or not it is willing to accept the package. The US and the EU may be divided on the interpretation of Iran's response. By failing to clarify their position and pushing the issue to talks, they have more time to bargain with the international community.

Iranian authorities took both 'soft' and 'hard' approaches to the August 31 deadline. Consequently, the international community is unsure whether Iran will keep to its plan to develop nuclear technology, regardless of outside pressure, or if it is sincere in wanting to talk to with other countries to resolve the issue.

Iran's 'soft' statements sound sincere and pleasant. When delivering Iran's official response to the six-party package, Ali Larijani emphasized that Iran was prepared to hold serious talks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesmam, Hamid Reza Asefi, reiterated in Teheran on August 27 that Iran would not initiate a military attack on another country and does not intend to make nuclear weapons. He also said Iran's nuclear program does not pose any threat to Israel. Besides, Ali Asgar Soltaneih, Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Iran has never prevented IAEA inspectors from inspecting its nuclear facilities as to deny media reports claiming that Iran denied two International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors access to its nuclear facilities.

Each of Iran's 'hard' actions seems fierce and intimidating. Iran maintains its stance on nuclear enrichment, to the concern of the international community. High-ranking Iranian officials have stated many times that that they cannot accept the UN Security Council's Resolution. Iran will not stop its uranium enrichment program even if it faces economic and diplomatic sanctions. On August 27, Ali Larijani reiterated that Iran will continue producing nuclear fuels, stating that "any attempt to deprive Iran of its right will not change our minds". The international community became aware of Iran's stockpile of advanced weapons after the "Blow of Zulfiqar", a large military drill involving the Iranian army, navy and air force. Among the weapons was a revised version of 'Nur,' a precision guided anti-ship missile and a high-speed, long-range anti-ship missile fired that is fired from a submarine.

Iran continues to move toward nuclear technology. On August 26, at the opening of a heavy water plant, President Ahmadinejad said "the Iranian nation will defend its right to nuclear technology with force."

Analysts think the 'soft' and 'hard' actions Iran took in the lead-up to their announcement were closely related to Iran's strategic positioning in the Middle East.

Iran wishes to become a big power. The reason Iran dared to defy the UN is that Iran feels confident it will not be attacked. However, it does not wish to be sanctioned by the international community. Although Iran has the oil 'trump card', it risks getting into financial trouble because of declining government revenue. It is important to Iran to pursue nuclear technology, because it believes this is essential for the US and other western countries to acknowledge Muslim sovereignty in Teheran and Iran's status as a regional power. Iran will increasingly distance itself from this goal if the international community imposes economic and diplomatic sanctions.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Iran on September 2 to discuss the nuclear issue and the Middle East situation with Iranian leaders. He said the talks covered a range of issues and were "very good and constructive". The international community hopes the visit will hasten a diplomatic resolution.

By People's Daily Online