The Chorus Grows

For a time, America was the only one pointing out the obvious, that the Iranian nuclear program’s real aim is to develop nuclear weapons, not energy. Israel understood too and the Europeans’ refrain was involved “worry” and “suspicion.” Merkel upgraded Germany’s concern to “Germany is obliged to do something at the early stages … We want to, we must prevent Iran from developing its nuclear program.”Â? France finally came out and accused Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons. And today, Germany’s Foreign Minister finally uttered the magic words:

Germany suspects Iran trying to build atom bomb

BERLIN - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday the German government suspected Iran was seeking to build nuclear weapons. Steinmeier said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna had expressed similar suspicions and that further details were expected in an IAEA report on Iran due to be published March 6. “Until then we have to assume there will be this suspicion,” said Steinmeier after talks with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

As major European countries ratchet up the pressure and move closer to the US’s position, the chances of military action grow. While it seems unlikely that the US would receive comprehensive support in the event of military strikes from Europe, it is conceivable that they would step forward to vote for it in the UNSC (or not block it) and pick up the tab for the war such as during the first Gulf War. Another option between isolated bombings and a full scale invasion would be a type of no-fly zone enforced with no end in sight until Iran submits or the government is overthrown. The Asia Time chimes in with such a scenario in its latest article on Iran:

Ahmadinejad on the warpath

As the Iranian revolution enters its 28th year this month, the Islamic Republic stands at the most critical stage of its history. While power is being transferred to second-generation revolutionaries, the country is on a collision course with the United States over its controversial nuclear program. At the center of this unfolding drama is the perplexing figure of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, who has managed to isolate,enrage and frighten important domestic and external constituencies in the space of only six months.

[...] At a time when the Americans are giving every indication of preparing for a long-term containment strategy over the controversial Iranian nuclear program (likely characterized by periodic bombings followed by long spells of tense standoff – eerily reminiscent of the containment strategy employed against Iraq from 1991-2003), Iranians of all political persuasions ought to be thinking of avoiding this scenario, at unacceptable costs if necessary.

Read it all.