Iranian anger rises over Obama’s revised nuclear policy

New York Times: A large majority of Iranian lawmakers, angered over the Obama administration’s new nuclear weapons policy that conspicuously makes Iran and North Korea possible targets, urged their government on Sunday to formally complain to the United Nations. The New York Times

By NAZILA FATHI

A large majority of Iranian lawmakers, angered over the Obama administration’s new nuclear weapons policy that conspicuously makes Iran and North Korea possible targets, urged their government on Sunday to formally complain to the United Nations in a petition that called the United States a warmonger and threat to world peace.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, also spoke out against the Obama administration’s revised nuclear policy. In remarks reported by the Fars News Agency, the ayatollah said the United States is a “sinister government and cannot be trusted.”

The Iranian reactions to Mr. Obama’s revised policy, which was issued last Tuesday in Washington in what is known as the presidential Nuclear Posture Review, appeared timed to coincide with the start of an international summit meeting hosted by Mr. Obama starting Monday, during which other world leaders will be talking about curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran has been enriching uranium in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which has judged the enrichment and failure to disclose some of its activities to be a violation of Iran’s obligations as a signatory to the Nonproliferation Treaty. Iran has rejected Western accusations that it is engaged in a secret program to develop weapons.

Under the new American policy articulated by Mr. Obama, he renounced the development of new atomic weapons and ruled out the use of nuclear arms against non-nuclear-armed states. But, he said, countries would be spared an American nuclear response only if they are in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Iran and North Korea would therefore not be protected and be potential targets.

In Tehran, 220 lawmakers in the 290-seat Assembly responded to the new American nuclear weapons policy by signing a petition Sunday urging the Foreign Ministry to file a complaint with the United Nations against the United States as a “threat against international peace,” the Parliament Web site reported.

“Such warmongering and anti-human rights language has hurt the feelings of people around the world,” the petition said.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ridiculed Mr. Obama’s new position last week as a “cowboy” policy in a speech before thousands of people, broadcast on Iran’s national television.

“Mr. Obama, you are a newcomer to politics,” he said. “Wait until your sweat dries and get some experience. Be careful not to read just any paper put in front of you or repeat any statement recommended.”