Washington and Europe Increase Pressure on Iran to Halt Nuclear Research

Interview with Dr. James Jennings, president of Conscience International, conducted by Scott Harris

In an escalating war of words, the U.S., joined by Britain, France and Germany, are pressuring Iran to reverse its resumption of nuclear research. After restarting work on converting uranium at its Isfahan nuclear facility in August, the Iranian government broke the seals on several facilities engaged in uranium enrichment in early January. This move, which violated a voluntary agreement between Tehran, Paris, London and Berlin prompted a demand from the Europeans to refer the matter to the International Atomic Energy Agency and ultimately to the UN Security Council.

While Washington and its European allies have called for the Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran if it refuses to freeze its nuclear activities, Russia and China -- both with veto power on the Council -- have taken a more cautious approach. Iran maintains that it seeks only to build nuclear power plants to produce energy and does not seek atomic weaponry. With negotiations making little progress, Bush administration officials and their Israeli counterparts, have left open the option of a military solution interpreted by many as meaning air strikes targeting Iran's nuclear research facilities.

Dr. James Jennings, president of Conscience International led a delegation of U.S. professors to Tehran in September for dialogue on the growing tensions between the two nations. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Dr. Jennings about the current confrontation between Iran and the West and the options available to avoid a military conflict.

Contact the Conscience International at (678) 513-7565 or visit their website at www.conscienceinternational.org

Related links:

warmadeeasy.com at www.warmadeeasy.com

Dr. Jennings articles on his trip to Iran at www.Logosjournal.org

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