Senior IAEA Official Discourages Using Force to Stop Iran

Tariq Rauf, head of verification and security policy coordination at the IAEA, has told the International Luxembourg Forum on Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe that "the use or threat of force unilaterally to deal with proliferation challenges does not guarantee success. At best, [the result] could be incomplete, and at worst, it could be driver to proliferation."

The comments come as speculation continues over potential Israeli or American military action against Iranian nuclear sites, against the backdrop of diplomatic negotiations, economic sanctions, and serious computer viruses afflicting Iran.

Rauf spent much of his talk discussing his vision of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East.

Of course.... That's the Arabs favorite talking point. Meanwhile, at the same conference, former National Security Council Chairman Uzi Arad says that we have reached the moment of truth.

The international community has reached "the moment of truth and confrontation" on Iran's nuclear program, former National Security Council chairman Uzi Arad told The Jerusalem Post Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the fifth International Luxembourg Forum on Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe, which was attended by security experts from around the world, Arad said, "The Iranians want to get rid of sanctions against them, and the international community wants Iran to cease its nuclear program."

Describing the current situation as a "collision path," Arad said "both sides have advanced. Iran advanced its nuclear program, and the international community has increased sanctions."

Arad, of the Institute for Policy and Strategy at the Lauder School of Government at the IDC, added that the next step in the ongoing struggle between the two camps depended on their "level of determination" to stick to their guns.

He pointed out that Israel's expectations were the same as those of the UN Security Council, which has called for a total freezing of Iranian uranium enrichment activities, unlike some propositions being raised by P5 + 1 negotiators, who have reportedly suggested that Iran could continue to enrich uranium to a low level under an agreement.

We're now 13 days from the next round of P 5+1 talks in Moscow, and one can only wonder how long the charade will continue. If Israel allows it to continue, I would bet at least until November.

Source: israelmatzav.com