According to the Telegraph, Iran has cut down thousands of trees near the Lavizan atomic research centre in an effort to try to further mask their nuclear program and hide it from IAEA inspectors. It is that Lavizan facility that some intelligence officials believe Iran was developing nuclear weapons out of and storing nuclear warheads near.

Western intelligence officials believe the site was deliberately situated in a major population area to make it more difficult for the United States and Israel, which are determined to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons, from carrying out pre-emptive air strikes.

The Iranians responded to the exiles’ disclosure by razing the complex in 2004 before IAEA inspectors could conduct a full investigation.

To ensure that no incriminating traces of nuclear activity were found, they even ploughed the site and removed six inches of topsoil.

The IAEA was able to get a sample though.

Despite these efforts, IAEA inspectors still found traces of enriched uranium in soil collected from the site. Intelligence officials concluded that the traces came from nuclear equipment acquired from Dr A Q Khan, the “father” of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb.

Recent tests in the area by scientists working for the Atomic Energy Agency of Iran (AEOI) showed unusually high concentrations of uranium contamination in the leaves and branches of trees surrounding the site. The scientists unanimously recommended that preparations should be made in case IAEA inspectors decided to conduct further visits.

The order to cut down the trees was given by Mohamed Baker Khalibaf, the mayor of Teheran, who is close to President Mahmoud Ahmadnijehad. The official explanation for the destruction of the trees was to create a national park.

More deception on the part of Iran while the world sits back. Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei is expected to deliver a “scathing” report on Iran’s nuclear program in from of the IAEA today. ElBaradei says he is not able to conclude Iran’s nuclear program is “entirely peaceful.”

Meanwhile Iran remains defiant over the negotiations. After claiming any military intervention upon Iran would be the “killing fields” for those involved, Iran warned it could use oil as a weapon if the UN Security Council does pass sanctions against the nation. Of coruse the use of oil as a weapon has been changed several times over, depending on theday of the week.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reminds the world why Iran’s nuclear program is such a concern when he claimed Islam will rule the world. This coincides with his belief of the 12th Imam and that it is his destiny to bring the 12th Imam back to life. The 12th Imam will only appear at the end of times after one-third of the world’s population has been wiped out. Oh, and Iran had a nuclear program.

UPDATE: ElBaradei says a deal with Iran may be only a “few days away.”  The belief is this includes the on again, off again talks between Iran and Russia.  The latest deal is believed to have Russia allowing Iran to enrich some uranium inside their own borders.  How this solves the issue of Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb though I do not know.

Because, after all, the issue has never been about Iran having a peaceful nuclear program but that the nation hell-bent on removing Israel from the map and supporting radical Islamic terrorist groups would obtain a nuclear weapon.  This despite Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s repeated calls that the West seeks to keep the nation in the Dark Ages.  I think Ahmadinejad is doing a fine enough job for us all.

Marc Schulman at American Future has some of the text from ElBaradei’s statement to the IAEA Board. One of those statements all but contradicts this afternoon’s displayed optimism a deal is near.

During these investigations, the Agency has not seen indications of diversion of nuclear material to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Regrettably, however, after three years of intensive verification, there remain uncertainties with regard to both the scope and the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. As I mentioned in my report, this is a matter of concern that continues to give rise to questions about the past and current direction of Iran’s nuclear programme.

While ElBaradei reported to the Board he could not rule out Iran was using a nuclear energy program for peaceful means, he then goes and says a deal between Iran and Russia that would allow Iran to enrich some uranium on Iranian soil is near.  What would change?

It is clear ElBaradei feels Iran has deceived the IAEA, and it should be clear to anyone who has even remotely followed the Iranian nuclear program, but now he’s optimistic that a partial enrichment program is the solution to the entire troubles.  I don’t see it.

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