Iran referred to Security Council:

Hands off Iran!

On 12 July 2006, foreign ministers of France, Britain, Germany, the United States, China, and Russia meeting in Paris decided to refer Iran to the Security Council of the UN following its refusal to suspend enrichment of uranium. Thus, the stage is being set to impose punitive measures against Iran.

Iran was accused of “failing to take the steps needed to allow negotiations to begin”. Iran has always maintained that it has the right to develop nuclear energy to meets its needs, as have several other countries. However, the US and other Western imperialist countries do not wish that Iran develops the capability to enrich uranium, and the European Union proposals have essentially hinged upon a third country enriching uranium for use in Iran. This would mean that countries like Iran would always be at the mercy of others for enriched nuclear material.

It is well known that Iran has not violated any international agreement regarding its nuclear program, that it has earlier cooperated with International Atomic Energy Agency inspections of its facilities, and that no evidence has been found whatsoever that it is engaged in making nuclear weapons. Despite several provocations, it continues to be a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). India, a country which has conducted nuclear weapons tests, has also been allowed to develop and import nuclear technology by the US. Moreover, the US and other Western imperialists have covertly and overtly helped Israel, the aggressor in several conflicts including ones raging at the present time, not only to develop nuclear technology, but also stockpile hundreds of nuclear warheads. Israel has also steadfastly refused to join the NPT. Not only is this another instance of glaring double standards followed by the US and Western imperialists, it is also clearly indicative of their approach to the question of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.

These powers recognise neither the sovereign right of every country to develop technology to meet their energy needs, nor their right to develop means to defend themselves. The intentions of the US and other imperialists with respect to Iran are also clear – they wish to defame it, present it as a “threat to world peace” and set the stage for punitive measures and eventual aggression on that country, just like the stage to aggress on Iraq was similarly set through the Security Council a few years ago.

At the present time, when Israel has invaded Palestine and Lebanon, the Iranian state and people, as consistent opponents of US imperialism and Zionism, are a major rallying force for the resistance fighters and all others opposed to the US and Israel. The current campaigns in Lebanon and Palestine are clearly part of the plans of the US imperialists to ensure their complete domination over West Asia. The continuous provocations against Iran are part of the same game.

The US – led campaign against Iran is a threat not only to the people and government of Iran but to all people and countries who value their freedom and independence. The Indian working class and people must continue to sternly and consistently defend Iran against US imperialism's aggressive plans. The Indian working class must demand that the Indian government openly oppose the US plans against Iran in the UN and other international forums.