Anniversary in Iran a reminder of reality

Because of the time difference between Iran and the United States, government-sponsored celebrations in Tehran marking the 31st anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the shah and brought the ayatollahs to power are already in full bore.

But, try as they may to present to the world a picture of harmony and national pride, the Islamic extremist rulers will not have succeeded to quell anti-government demonstrations.

And, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his minions, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, won’t have persuaded the world that three decades after the revolution, Iran is ready to peacefully co-exist with its neighbors.

Tuesday’s powering up of centrifuges for the enrichment of uranium stocks to a level that would put the development of nuclear weapons within reach is a blatant violation of restrictions imposed by the United Nations and a clear attempt by the Islamic theocracy to become a nuclear power. That would create political instability in the region and around the world. Iran continues to be the main sponsor of global terrorism, as evidenced by its ties to groups in Iraq that are determined to overthrow the democratically elected government in Baghdad.

Iran’s rulers insist that the 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel — it previously had low-enriched uranium of 3.5 percent — will be used in a medical research reactor. The goal, they say, is to produce isotopes that would be used in the treatment of cancer.

However, the country lacks the technology to make fuel rods from the enriched uranium, which is why the United States and many other nations, including Russia, have strenuously objected to its latest move.

They contend that Iran’s goal is to develop nuclear weapons and have concluded that without a strong response, the ayatollahs will not back down.

President Obama, along with other leaders, is pushing for a fourth round of economic sanctions against Iran. However, China continues to block the U.N. Security Council from imposing tough sanctions. The Chinese are calling for the continuation of negotiations.

Iran’s bluff

The U.S. and its allies have called Iran’s bluff. They have offered to help the Islamic republic purchase medical isotopes on the international market. In return, the government in Tehran would have to halt its push to produce highly enriched uranium.

U.N. sanctions do not prohibit Iran from obtaining the medical isotopes on the open market, which is how many nations — including the United States — get them for medical purposes.

But even if Tehran agrees to the offer, there are other issues the Obama administration must address with the rulers, such as the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.

In the days leading up to today’s anniversary of the revolution, leaders of various opposition groups — they have launched what is referred to as “the green revolution” — urged supporters to participate in non-violent demonstrations.

Ever since the disputed June presidential election, in which Ahmadinejad was declared the winner, there have been street protests. Police and other security forces have retaliated with force, resulting in the deaths of many Iranians, including students, and mass arrests. The families of those arrested have been harassed, while the government has accused the CIA of planning today’s demonstrations.

Iran under the ayatollahs has become a rogue nation that is not to be trusted.

President Obama has tried to reason with Ahmadinejad, but to no avail.

Late Wednesday, Iranian authorities rounded up alleged opposition activists ahead of festivities to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

The reported raids are part of a broad offensive by Iran’s leadership to intimidate anti-government demonstrators from trying to disrupt state-backed celebrations of the 1979 overthrow of the pro-Western Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.

What the people of Iran now know is that they replaced one despot with another, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.