IRAN'S NUKES

Iran Defies Demand of Nuke Watchdog Agency
Defying a key demand set by 35 nations, Iran announced Tuesday it has started converting raw uranium into the gas needed for enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons. Iran's president, Mohammad Khatami, vowed his country will press ahead with its nuclear program even if it means a rupture with the UN watchdog agency and an end to inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. "We've made our choice: Yes to peaceful nuclear technology, no to atomic weapons," Khatami said at a military parade in Tehran. (AP/ABC News)

See also Israel Challenges Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
Israel admitted Tuesday that it is buying 500 "bunker-buster" bombs, which could be used to hit Iran's nuclear facilities. The BLU-109 bombs, which can penetrate more than 7ft of reinforced concrete, are among "smart" munitions being sold to Israel under America's military aid program. "This is not the sort of ordnance needed for the Palestinian front. Bunker busters could serve Israel against Iran, or possibly Syria," an Israeli source said. (Telegraph-UK)