Report spells out dangers of attack on Iran

Report spells out dangers of attack on Iran

By Gareth Smyth in Tehran

Published: February 5 2007 02:00 | Last updated: February 5 2007 02:00

Military action in response to Iran's atomic programme would be "highly dangerous" with diplomacy still an option, according to a report published today by a group of British non-governmental organisations, think-tanks and trade unions.

"It cannot be said that the potential for diplomacy has been fully explored while direct talks between Iran and the US have not taken place," says "Time to Talk: the Case for Diplomatic Solutions on Iran", from -Crisis Action.

The report warns that US or Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities could lead to civilian deaths, radioactive contamination, heightened conflict in neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan, al-Qaeda attacks stemming from intensified anti-western feeling, higher oil prices and an acceleration of Tehran's nuclear programme.

Among those endorsing the report is Sir Richard -Dalton, UK ambassador to Iran from 2003 to 2006. He said the report was "wagging a finger" to remind the British government that military action should be "a last resort in self-defence or to prevent an imminent threat".

Sir Richard defended the US and European Union's refusal to negotiate with Iran while Tehran refused to implement December's United Nations Security Council resolution that it suspend almost all its nuclear activities.

However, he argued London should "not just sit back on our heels". It should work "behind the scenes" to ensure the US was ready to supplement international negotiations "when re-quired".

The report appears sceptical that the Bush administration will engage Tehran, arguing "the sidelining" of the Baker-Hamilton report, which last month advocated talks with Iran, "illustrates further the rejection of direct negotiation".

Paul Rogers, professor of peace studies at Bradford university, said "an attack designed to diminish Iran's nuclear capacity would involve trying to kill as many technicians and scientists as possible".

Mr Rogers told the Financial Times that Iran would have "a huge range of retaliatory options", including attacks on the oil facilities of the Arab countries across the Persian Gulf.

At Iran's Isfahan nuclear site on Saturday, Ali-Asghar Soltanieh, the country's representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the nuclear programme was "fully transparent".

Mr Soltanieh was welcoming reporters and IAEA representatives from developing countries on a trip around the facility, which processes uranium ore into uranium hexafluoride, the feeder fuel for the enrichment plant further north at Natanz.

He refused to say whether Iran would install anti-aircraft missiles being delivered from Russia at Isfahan Tor. The site is currently ringed by less sophisticated anti-aircraft guns.