Nuke-Hungry Ayatollahs

With recent developments in Iran, I thought it might be enlightening to dig out Kenneth Timmerman's Countdown to Crisis, The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran (2005). Timmerman provides many quotes that should run a chill down the spine of those foolish enough to still think Iran's not going after a bomb.

Here's a sampling:

It is your duty to build the atomic bomb for the Islamic Republican Party. ... Our civilization is in danger and we have to have it. -- Ayatollah Mohammed Beheshti, 1979 (right)

We should fully equip ourselves both in the offensive and defensive use of chemical, bacteriological, and radiological weapons. From now on, you should make use of the opportunity to perform this task. -- Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, 1988

Because the enemy has nuclear facilities, the Muslim states, too, should be equipped with the same capacity. -- Ata'ollah Mohajerani, 1991

My government is keeping its nuclear option open. -- Hassan Mashadi (Iranian arms control official), 1995

If America continues its plots against the Islamic Republic, we will strike at the United States in the region with all conventional and unconventional means. We will not observe any type of law or moderation in our operations against the Americans in the region. -- Major General Mohsen Rezai, 1996

If we abide by the Koran, we must mobilize to kill. -- President Mohammad Khatami, 2000

The use of an atomic bomb agains tIsrael would destroy Israel completely, while [the same] against the world of Islam only would cause damages. Such a scenario is not inconceivable. -- Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, 2001 (right)

We won't accept any new obligations. Iran has a high technical capability and has to be recognized by the international community as a member of the nuclear club. This is an irreversible path. -- Foreign minister Kamai Kharrazi, 2004

Definitiely we can't stop our nuclear program and won't stop it. You can't take technology away from a country already possessing it. -- Hojjat-ol eslam Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, 2005

Is there really any question about their intentions? Against these quotes, what do you make of those who still think Iran's nuclear ambitions are peaceful? What do you make of Senator Lugar, who thinks direct talks with Iran about "energy" would be helpful?

Diplomacy is good; let's do it. Intermediaries are good; let's use them. But no Clintonesque deals. We don't deal with terrorists. Oh, wait ... maybe one deal:

Send us all your oppressed workers of "high technical capability." We'll give them jobs at Wal Mart. They'll be happier, freer and wealthier than they are working for the Mullahs.

Tags: Iran, Nuclear, Atomic bomb, Ayatollah, Nuke, Lugar