Iran’s Eastern Flank

We’re used to thinking about Iran and its nuclear program in terms of its threat to destroy Israel, its infiltration and subversion of Iraq, its relations across the Arabian Persian Gulf with its Sunni neighbors, and its collusion with Russia.

But let’s not neglect the eastern flank of Iran. Just a brief jump over Pakistan brings us to country with a strong interest in containing the nuclear ambitions of aggressive jihadist states.

Here’s the story from AKI :

Seizure of nuclear material sends clear message, says report

India sent a clear message to the world when it seized 1,150 kilogrammes of nuclear grade graphite in Mumbai that was destined for Iran, according to an Indian media report.

The report, published in an Indian newspaper, said the material originated from a third country and India was being used as a transit point.

“India has demonstrated beyond all doubt where it stands in respect of Iran’s efforts to acquire nuclear weapon capabilities,” the report said.


However, it said India was unable to support the US, UK, France and Germany in coercing Iran, without demonstrating that they had done everything possible to stop proliferation of materials and technologies from their own countries to Iran.

This is one of the puzzling and maddening aspects of the Iranian nuclear problem: Iran is being aided and abetted by Western European countries, most of whose major cities lie within range of Iran’s soon-to-be-nuclear-tipped missiles.

The article continues:
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The Indian report said the Iranian enrichment programme was developed with the initial support of Pakistani nuclear scientist AQ Khan and assistance from Western European contractors, who provided the base for Khan’s network and previously for Iraq and South Africa during apartheid.

“Surely Iran cannot sustain its uranium enrichment programme without continuing support from the European industry,” the report said.

It said so far there had been no transparency in the past and present proliferation of Western European firms or action undertaken by states concerned to stop that proliferation.

“Such transparency will be a major step in slowing down and halting Iranian and other proliferation,” the report said.

Considering the extravagant and opaque corruption of the European Union, expecting transparency in its member states’ dealings with Iran is a fool’s game.

The press report said India already had two nuclear neighbours, one of which constantly asserts that its weapons are India-specific.

The most effective way of halting Iranian nuclear weapon proliferation is tightening controls over European nuclear industries, while enlisting the support and cooperation of Russia and China.

Relying on the help of Russia is just as foolish, and China has no vested interest in helping India. Containing Iran will require some strategic retooling, both for India and the United States.


Hat tip: C. Cantoni.