British Company Caught Selling To Iran

Fairly innocuous title, is it not? You are ondering, of course, about what was being sold. Not much, just weapons grade uranium:

A British company has been closed down after being caught in an apparent attempt to sell black-market weapons-grade uranium to Iran and Sudan, The Observer can reveal.

Anti-terrorist officers and MI6 are now investigating a wider British-based plot allegedly to supply Iran with material for use in a nuclear weapons programme. One person has already been charged with attempting to proliferate 'weapons of mass destruction'.

During the 20-month investigation, which also involved MI5 and Customs and Excise, a group of Britons was tracked as they obtained weapons-grade uranium from the black market in Russia. Investigators believe it was intended for export to Sudan and on to Iran.

A number of Britons, who are understood to have links with Islamic terrorists abroad, remain under surveillance. Investigators believe they have uncovered the first proof that al-Qaeda supporters have been actively engaged in developing an atomic capability. The British company, whose identity is known to The Observer but cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, has been wound up.

So remind me again, who are the fools out there that keep saying that Iran is not interested in building nuclear weapons, and that their program is a "peaceful" one? I want to know because maybe they can explain this. Was Iran just attempting to procure this stuff for safe keeping? Please.

That last paragraph is a nice one. Al-Qaeda supporters working with Iran to get them what they need. But then again, after the Blotter's report this week, we already knew this. We knew that Iran was helping those that the so-called "experts" claimed they never would. Why? The experts proclaim that Sunnis and Shi'ites will not work together. That they detest each other that much that there is no way they would even consider it. Well, Iran is predominantly Shi'ite. the Taliban and al-Qaeda are Sunni. They seem to be working quite well together.

I suppose the experts forgot that "the enemy of my enemy is my ally."

In the story, British officals are not sure whether all of those involved in the ring knew precisely where the material was going. They alos point out that the material was obtained last year through the Russian black market, but that they intervened in enough time to stop it from reaching Iran.

Investigators have the evidence showing this was going to Iran; a point, they say, that will nail Tehran to the wall. They also add that while Ahmadinejad may deny it's potential use, and claim it was for civilian use, investigators note that it is a funny way to obtain uranium. Furthermore, on a side note, with that many centrifuges up and running in Iran right now, why even bother with the outside market, and this scenario as a possible outcome. Not only is Iran out it's money, but they got caught red-handed with their hands in the cookie jar.

What is even more disturbing about the story is the last paragraph where the Observer notes that Sudan and Iran have been extremely friendly lately. In fact, like Syria and Venezuala, Sudan has signed a mutual defense treaty with Iran, and they are allowing the Islamic Republic to place offensive missiles in their country. As if we needed more worries on the African continent, we now have to contend with this.

Marcie