– WAG the Dog

Iran defies UN nuclear resolution
Reporter: Stephen McDonell

TONY JONES: Iran has defied UN attempts to stop its nuclear program, announcing an expansion of its nuclear facilities, including the building of new centrifuge cascades used to enrich uranium. At a time of increased tensions in the Middle East, Iran has reportedly failed to secretly import uranium from the Congo. According to Britain's Sunday Times, the hidden shipment was intercepted by Tanzanian customs officers using a Geiger counter. But that hasn't stopped Iran's big talk on nuclear proliferation - talk that's making other nations a little nervous. Stephen McDonell reports.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: The United Nations Security Council has called for Iran to stop enriching uranium by the end of this month. Iran's response: we're going to increase the program.

ALI LARIJANI, IRANIAN CHIEF NUCLEAR NEGOTIATOR: (Translation) We will expand nuclear technology at whatever stage it may be necessary and all of Iran's nuclear technology including the centrifuge cascades, will be expanded.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: In an already destabilised Middle East, Iran's nuclear expansion is concerning many observers who can see the region deteriorating into a wider war. In 1981, Israel bombed an Iraqi installation, claiming Baghdad was developing a nuclear reactor. Such a bombing raid on Iran would be met with widespread anger throughout the Middle East. But the UN's attempts at diplomacy have, so far, failed. Iran says its enrichment program is only to fuel power stations, but critics say it wants the capacity to make nuclear weapons.

IRANIAN PRESIDENT, MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: (Translation) I formally declare that Iran has joined the club of nuclear countries.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: In April, Iran announced it'd enriched uranium to 3.5 per cent - well short of weapons-grade enrichment, which needs to be enhanced by more than 90 per cent. But it's made no secret of its plans to expand the program, and Iran has responded to the threat of UN sanctions, warning it could cut off its oil exports. Iran is currently OPEC's second largest oil exporter.

ALI LARIJANI: (Translation) We do not want to use the oil weapon. It is they who would impose it upon us. Iran should be allowed to defend its rights in proportion to their stance.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: And Tehran also points to what it says is international hypocrisy, whereby some countries are allowed to have nuclear technology and not others. Yesterday, the Japanese city of Hiroshima marked the 61st anniversary of the atomic bomb attack that killed more than 140,000 people. The city's mayor called for the elimination of all nuclear weapons - something that's not currently anywhere near being on the international drawing board. Stephen McDonell, Lateline.