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U.K. warns Iran nukes could spark Mideast arms race By The Associated Press Tags: Iran, Middle East, nuclear  LONDON - Iran's disputed nuclear program has sent a wave of interest in atomic energy across the Middle East, a think tank said Tuesday, warning that it risked setting the scene for a regional nuclear arms race. At least 13 Middle Eastern countries either announced new plans to explore atomic energy or revived pre-existing nuclear programs between February 2006 and January 2007, the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, or IISS, said in a report. While the flurry of interest in nuclear power is still tentative, the report said countries such as Saudi Arabia, Algeria or Egypt could soon feel the need to match Iran's nuclear ambitions. Advertisement If Tehran's nuclear program is unchecked, there is reason for concern that it could in time prompt a regional cascade of proliferation among Iran's neighbors, it said. Israel, the United States and others have accused the Islamic republic of covertly seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear program. Iran insists Iran insists its intentions are peaceful, but its program has helped push nearly all its Middle Eastern neighbors into drawing up their own nuclear plans. The report cautioned that most of the programs were still immature - it noted that sustainable new reactor projects in the Middle East were at least 10 or 15 years away - and said motivations were mixed. The report was dismissive of Syria's nuclear prospects, saying the country's plans for civilian atomic energy had largely been put on ice. The report said that it was difficult to squeeze nuclear weapons out of legitimate, IAEA-monitored nuclear power programs, but it warned that the perceived threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb increased the risk of civilian nuclear programs being diverted to military uses. Related articles: ANALYSIS: Who wants to stop Iran? Israel: Bush means business on Iran nukes Israel's allies, Iran's trading partners Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   Nuclear energy is much more effecient and cleaner than oil/coal 02:51  |  anti-racist 21/05/08   2.   The headline should be 02:54  |  Wendy 21/05/08   3.   let them every country in the middle east have nukes,that way it 03:50  |  simple as that 21/05/08   4.   Israel started the Middle East arms race 05:11  |  BJ 21/05/08   5.   Dhimmi AP say Iran insists its intentions are peaceful 05:44  |  Joseph . E 21/05/08   6.   No, it won`t spark a nuclaer race. Iran will be stopped before. 06:25  |  Fortuna Benmayor 21/05/08   7.   Everybody or nobody 06:31  |  wibism 21/05/08   8.   IISS = efes gadol 06:39  |  Rowan 21/05/08   9.   Iran`s nukes, it is high time we all understood, is a danger to 06:52  |  Asa Bashan 21/05/08   10.   BJ # 4 _ You Certainly Live Up To Your name 07:07  |  Eli 21/05/08   11.   #2 wendy #4 bj - these TWO wrongs do not make a RIGHT 07:07  |  CK Tan 21/05/08   12.   Pro Iranians don`t believe Iran`s propaganda 07:26  |  Reid 21/05/08   13.   UK means nothing! 07:56  |  Niva dos santos 21/05/08   14.   #2 wendy #4 bj - these TWO wrongs do not make a RIGHT 08:46  |  CK Tan 21/05/08   15.   What sparked the Mideast arms race in the first place? 09:10  |  Clickfool 21/05/08   16.   The Americans started it!!! 12:46  |  J 21/05/08   17.   Har, What does UK think we are? Deaf or what? 19:01  |  Magnify 21/05/08

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