“Iran is understood to have over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which Israeli experts believe could make up some 11 atom bombs.” See “Unless Iran’s enriched uranium is shipped out, latest war to go down as failure, IDF official says,” i24, 5-1-26.
I include this piece because I had the honor of interviewing Thomas Pickering, the second highest ranking State Department official, for my dissertation. But that doesn’t mean he is correct. In fact, it is a misplaced thesis statement that draws our attention here. Pickering writes,“That can begin by Washington finally accepting that Iran has fundamental rights as a sovereign state, including to enrich uranium for civilian, peaceful purposes.” That is incorrect as a matter of international relations, international law, contract law, and common sense. And self defense. No state has some sort of right to a nuclear program, civilian or military, nor does a state retain that right forever. Possession of nuclear materials for whatever reason is based on realism and the opinion of states. See “The Price of Peace With Iran,” Foreign Affairs, Tom Pickering, Gabrielle Rifkind, and Paul Ingram, Foreign Affairs, 5-1-26.
“Imprisoned Iranian journalist named world’s most urgent press freedom case,” Iran International, 5-1-26. “The One Free Press Coalition on Friday named imprisoned Iranian journalist Reza Valizadeh as the world’s most urgent press freedom case ahead of World Press Freedom Day. Valizadeh, a former Radio Farda correspondent traveled to Iran in November 2022 after leaving the outlet to visit his family. He was arrested in October 2024 and remained in prison since.”
It is hard to control speech in other people’s countries, but they will try. “Iran says US must allow only Islamic Republic flags at World Cup matches,” Iran International, 5-1-26.
“Scoop: U.S. blockade has cost Iran $4.8 billion, Pentagon says,” Axios, 5-1-26.
