Iran declares key nuclear advance

In a move almost designed to increase pressure on Bush and the West, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that Iran has joined the nations with "nuclear technology" but carefully insisted it did not want nuclear weapons.

As I've pointed out many times, it is Iran's right under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, although Bush continues to express skepticism about Iran's intent.

With this move Ahmadinejad has played his ace. Revealing that he has developed enriched uranium to the degree needed for nuclear energy, but far short of the requirements of a nuclear bomb.

The interesting thing now will be to watch Bush's next move. Hemmed in by the constraints of an Iraq war that's spiralling out of control, and facing an increasingly sceptical EU and UN audience, Bush must now decide whether to press ahead and request approval for some form of military action.

I've long said that Bush is wandering down a dead end street.

At what point will he realise this?

And when he realises this, will he turn back - or forge ahead?

Related Articles:

Simon Jenkins does a brilliant analysis of Blair's recent speech here.

My reaction to that same speech my Blair was posted here.

Tags: Bush, Ahmadinejad, Iran, nuclear, energy, bomb, enrichment, uranium, technology, weapons, peaceful, purposes, UN, US, EU,