IRANIAN OFFICIALS have spent the week shrugging off the UN Security Council's decision to tighten economic sanctions on its nuclear programme and rejecting fresh allegations that it is intended for nuclear weapons.
That these concerns are now taken more seriously was seen in Monday's Security Council vote demanding that Iran stop nuclear enrichment until its peaceful intentions can be fully established, which passed with 13 in favour and only Indonesia abstaining.China and Russia voted for the measures, which tighten existing sanctions and extend travel bans and assets freezes on individuals, firms and two banks connected with the nuclear programme.
At the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna there have been sharp exchanges this week on a report by its Finnish chief inspector, Olli Heinonen, containing new allegations about Iranian plans for nuclear weapons. Although they have not been verified and are rejected as fabrications by Iran's ambassador there, these include very specific proposals for machining of uranium metal into the shape of warheads; schematics of a Shahab-3 missile re-entry vehicle that in the opinion of the IAEA "is quite likely to be able to accommodate a nuclear device"; remote explosives testing, including plans for underground detonations facilities and a separate firing facility 10 kilometres away. The fact that Mr Heinonen gave them sufficient credibility to demand public clarification shows how serious he regards them.
Iran has been playing a prolonged game with its interlocutors on this subject, insisting on its right to develop nuclear energy, denying military intent but all the while proceeding with its programme. The IAEA has been willing to give it the opportunity to verify its pacific nature, but these and other reports have increased international frustration over Iran's defiance and delays. They have arisen again despite last December's US National Intelligence Estimate that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons programme in 2003.
Uncertainty about Iran's political role in its region pervades European and US policies towards that country. It has been the major beneficiary of the US intervention in Iraq, as was visible once again this week when President Ahmadinejad visited Baghdad, where he was welcomed by its Shia-dominated government. It is high time for a political initiative to engage Iran politically on the broad range of international issues concerning its role. That would allow the nuclear question to be negotiated in a more appropriate setting.