Iran Inching Closer to Nukes

Russia's admission that Iran is moving closer to nuclear weapons is the latest warning that the world's attempt to engage the regime has failed.

In an article reported by Reuters today, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that

Iran is moving closer to possessing the potential which in principle could be used for the creation of nuclear weapons.

The is one of the first times that Russia, who has traditionally been a steadfast ally and supporter of Iran, has publicly criticized the regime and conceded that it is moving closer to obtaining nuclear weapons.

This follows comments made last Friday during a conference held at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, by Reza Kahlili, a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard and defector to the CIA, in which he accused the Obama Administration of naiveté and of betraying the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom by seeking to engage the brutal Iranian regime.

Khalili warned that the Iranian regime was irrational:

Stop dreaming, please. You are not dealing with rational people. Every time you extend a hand, it is not seen as sincerity, but stupidity.

Prophetically, Kahlili said of Iran:

This is a messianic regime. There should be no doubt – they are going to commit the most horrendous suicide bombing in human history. They will attack Israel, European capitals, and (the) Persian Gulf region at the same time.

In order to stop this ‘most horrendous suicide bombing in human history’, Khalili called for a pre-emptive strike. “The question is – is it going to be more destabilizing now or when they have the nukes” he asked. Khalili stressed that any such attack ought to be specifically directed against the Revolutionary Guards and not the Iranian people or the country's infrastructure.

Importantly, Khalili said that any attack must be simultaneously accompanied by a vocal announcement of the support for freedom in Iran “and the people will do the rest”. The ultimate goal Khalili proclaimed must be the overthrow of the brutal regime.

Khalili’s comments echo those of Yousef Al-Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the United States, who - only days ago - spoke of the dangers of a nuclear armed Iran and said that the benefits of bombing Iran’s nuclear program outweigh the short term costs of such an attack.

The question remains though – is the world paying attention to these warnings?