Defiant Iran
The Gathering Storm, September 4, 2008
September 4, 2008
Iran remains defiant in its development of its nuclear capacities. This week, the country's deputy foreign minister said that 4,000 centrifuges are in operation with 3,000 more currently being installed at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Ali-Reza Sheikh Attar told Iranian television, "Had the Westerners become certain that the resolutions would bring us to our knees, they would have definitely intensified them." And in other news, the Russian company constructing Iran's nuclear plant has renewed its commitment to completing the project despite the U.N.'s opposition to the effort.
Iran is building fighter jets that will be in operation by the country's air force within months. "Iran has made great achievements in manufacturing anti-aircraft missiles and various jet fighters over the past two years," Air Force Commander Ataollah Salehi told reporters. The Iranian Air Force is also planning a training drill during the month of Ramadan.
Keeping up with its reputation for a horrid human rights record, Iran sentenced four women's rights activists to six months in jail. The women had spoken out against legislation which discriminates against women and were part of a campaign to collect signatures in support of equal rights. "This is part of a backlash against women's rights activists who demand equal rights in a patriarchal system," activist Sussan Tahmasebi said about the sentencing.
In a minor sign of progress, a pending law that would have made it easier for Iranian men to have more than one wife is being reconsidered. Men are permitted to marry up to four women but only with the permission of the first wife. This law would have allowed polygamy without permission. Women's rights activists consider this a major victory.
