Obama On Iran

Oh, boy:

President Barack Obama reiterated that Iran may have some right to nuclear energy - provided it takes steps to prove its aspirations are peaceful.

In a BBC interview broadcast Tuesday, Obama also restated plans to pursue direct diplomacy with Tehran to encourage it to set aside any ambitions for nuclear weapons it might harbor.

Iran has insisted its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity. But the U.S. and other Western governments accuse Tehran of seeking atomic weapons.

"Without going into specifics, what I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations. On the other hand, the international community has a very real interest in preventing a nuclear arms race in the region," Obama said.

The comments echo remarks Obama made in Prague last month in which he said his administration would "support Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy with rigorous inspections" if Iran proves it is no longer a nuclear threat.

Iranian state television described the news as Obama recognizing the "rights of the Iranian nation," a phrase typically used to refer to Iran's nuclear program.

Huh. For peaceful purposes? Didn't North Korea say that several years ago? And now they're using their nuclear technology to detonate bombs underground and launch missiles. But surely Iran is more...trustworthy...than North Korea, right?

On a related note, The Jawa Report links to a wonderful website that illustrates the range of Iran's missile capabilities:


That's right, folks...Iran can hit the East Coast, including New York City!

But it's only for peaceful purposes, you know...good thing, or we might have to start baking some more cookies.

There's my two cents.