Iran is blasting into space, launching a ten foot-long research rocket with a very special pay load : A mouse, two turtles, and a can of worms.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called it a “big event.” “The scientific arena is where we defeat the West’s domination,” he added.
The West is, taking this, and past Iranian “space shots” seriously.
The fear is “dual use,” that an Iranian missile could just as easily carry a nuclear payload.
This is one reason for the recent deployment of US Patriot anti missile defense in the Gulf region.
Iranian President Ahmadinejad is ALSO sounding conciliatory notes this week. In an interview, he said Iran would now accept a UN offer to send its uranium abroad for enrichment in an effort to monitor its suspect nuclear program.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today he would welcome such an agreement.
But a spokesperson for the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA would only tell us they are “aware of media reports.” A diplomatic source went furthere though, telling us they’re not aware of a formal acceptance of any offer from Iran.
This latest offer comes, perhaps not coincidentally, at a time when the US is looking to ratchet up sanctions against the Tehran regime.
Secretary of State Clinton was in Europe last week lobbying officials.
Some Iranians, at least, prepared to take more economic hits to defeat a hated regime.
And, the Iranian government is girding for new protests next week. February 11 marks the anniversary of the Iranian revolution. Threats this week of more executions of opposition figures is a sign Tehran is not taking chances. “Green movement” protestors say they’ll use it to attack the regime.
Tehran did offer another olive branch of sorts this week, the release of three American hikers they’ve held since last summer. They would be swapped in exchange for Iranians allegedly held by the US.
“No comment,” from a spokesperson of the families of the Americans. No dice, more or less, from the State Department.