Iran Blasts Israeli Nuclear Policy

At a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) On September 21, 2007, Iran criticized the agency for what it considered a double-standard in the regulation of nuclear policies. Iran maintained that the IAEA has not forced Israel to comply with its established inspection requirements. Iran demanded that the U.N. send inspectors to determine if Israel has nuclear weapons, while Israel maintained its non-disclosure policy regarding an alleged nuclear arsenal.

Fast Facts

1. When: September 21, 2007
2. Where: Baku, Azerbaijan
3. Israel is believed to have the only nuclear weapons in the Middle East
4. The IAEA has 149 member nations
5. Israel considers its nuclear ambiguity an asset to national security
6. Quote

• "Those who call for the elimination of Israel have no moral standing when they criticize Israeli policies aimed at defending Israel's very existence."¹
  • — Israeli Ambassador Israel Michaeli, Reuters

Deflecting Attention

Some have argued that Iran's vehemence over the question of Israeli nuclear developments was part of an agenda to deflect attention away from Iran's nuclear development. Iran operates 3,000 uraniun-enriching centrifuges, that some fear may be producing high-enriched uranium needed to develop a nuclear bomb.

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