IRAN’S right to nuclear energy and defiance of the West over its nuclear ambitions is the first issue since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that has galvanised all political factions, classes and public opinion.

Young and old, conservatives and reformists, regime-supporters and regime-haters are all united in believing that Iran must not give up its nuclear activities and must not make concessions to the West.

While the country’s latest moves to resume nuclear fuel activities near the central city of Isfahan have placed it on the brink of an international crisis, facing the risk of sanctions, Iranians are unperturbed by threats and unwavering in their support of the Government.

“We’re not scared. Let them take us to the Security Council. Nuclear energy is our right under the non-proliferation treaty. Legally, what can they do?” said Serge, a Levi’s- wearing student activist who took part in the 1999 student demonstrations.

“No matter what I think of the Government, nuclear power is something that will benefit all Iranians. Who are the West to take this right away from us?” he said.

As Iran ignored the European Union’s pleas, the mood in Tehran was jubilant. A group of about 20 students celebrated by handing out sweets to drivers and passers-by on Engelab Street outside Tehran University.

During the course of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the EU over the past two years, Tehran has been the scene of frequent pro-nuclear demonstrations and rallies.

Iranian media hailed the move as a victory against the West. “Iran’s nuclear heart starts ticking,” said the front-page headline of the conservative daily Hemayat, while the ultra-conservative Jomhuri- ye Eslami echoed the opinion of many Iranians: “Next step Natanz,” it said, referring to the uranium enrichment plant where nuclear work remains suspended.

The Government has been quick to tap in to the Iranian people’s fierce nationalism and love of their vatan, motherland.

Iranians view Iran as a sophisticated nation and feel consternation that neighbours such as India and Pakistan, considered less developed, are nuclear powers.

State-run television news is devoted to the nuclear question, its coverage interspersed with interviews with Iranians, ranging from lunching ladies to bearded and robed mullahs, all saying the same thing: nuclear energy is Iran’s inalienable right.

While Iran insists that it needs nuclear-generated power, it has one of the highest electricity growth rates in the world.

It also has the highest number of chemical gas victims in the world, with 100,000 survivors of Saddam Hussein’s mustard and nerve gas attacks during the eight-year Iran- Iraq War. Memories of the attacks are still raw. Arezu Rahimi, a housewife, said: “Would Saddam have used those chemical weapons against Israel, Pakistan or India? No. Why? Because they have nuclear weapons. Iran learnt its lesson the hard way. We don’t want this to happen again.”

Iranians are also angered that Israel, their arch enemy in the region, has more than 200 nuclear missiles and is not a member of the non-proliferation treaty, and that its nuclear sites have not been subject to inspection.

Persuading Iran to drop its nuclear activities will not be easy and unless it is offered a spectacular deal that will benefit ordinary Iranians, the Government will face an outcry.

• Baghdad: Ibrahim Jaafari, the Iraqi Prime Minister, said reports that Iran had smuggled high explosive anti-tank weapons into Iraq would be investigated. Donald Rumsfeld, US Defence Secretary, said it was believed to have come from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Iran denied the claims. (AFP)

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