[Skybird]

Iran needs alternative energy indeed, believe it or not. they have oil but they do not have much refining capacity and indeed do import gasoline (!). On the other hand, they must export so much oil to make the cash the state needs for a living so that not enough is left for feeding Iran's own needs. Which explains why they have not build bigger refining capacity.

That they need alternative energy sources, is beyond doubt. and suually one would say they have any right there is to explore the civilian use of nuclear energy.

And if they would not have behaved like such a$$##### like they have since Khomenei returned, nobody would see a bit problem in them doing so.

So in the end the whole row is not about what right they have to use civilian nuclear energy, but whether or not we others could afford to let them do it. It is not about their rights to use it, but about their trustworthiness.

And there simply is no reason to trust Iran, the past 30 years of history speak against it. The step from civilian use of nuclear energy to military purposes is much shorter than idealists and pacifists often try to make it appear.