TEHERAN - Iranians on Wednesday celebrated their countryÂ’s announcement that it had mastered nuclear technology much as they would celebrate a birthday or the purchase of a new car, with boxes of sticky pastries. The basij, IranÂ’s volunteer Islamic militia, set up nuclear celebration tents at roadsides around Teheran, handing out sugary cakes and ladling out orange squash to passers-by.
A militiaman approached a Reuters television crew to shout: ”We are so happy and proud of our young nuclear scientists,” before rousing his comrades into a chorus of “God is greatest”.
Elsewhere in Teheran, some 150 schoolchildren wearing bibs embossed with “nuclear power is our irrevocable right” chanted slogans and waved the national tricolour. “I am very thrilled and excited with the great news I heard last night and believe Western countries will behave now,” said peddler Ali Bozorgi, 26.
Iran announced on Tuesday it had started enriching uranium to the low level needed for nuclear power stations, openly flouting UN Security Council demands that it halt its work on atomic fuel. Iran was referred to the council over fears that its uranium enrichment programme is intended for nuclear weapons in addition to power stations, a charge Iran denies.
On the streets of Teheran, people were impressed by the national achievement but worried that trouble could be brewing, with more calls for sanctions and military action. “I am happy with the news because we should have nuclear fuel but I hope it will not trigger military action against us,” said Naghmeh Moini, 40. The United States has said it prefers diplomatic means to resolve the standoff but does not rule out military action.
Not everyone was celebrating. A 40-year-old English teacher who wanted to be identified only as “Reza” said: “It is the nail in the government’s coffin because it will cause more concern in the international community and unite them against us.” And the schoolchildren’s ardour for nuclear power began to wane and their jokey chants started to mock street hawkers: ”Nuclear energy -- 200 tomans (22 US cents) a box!” |