Tehran's absurdity

Iran is very good at the chess game that is international politics. Tehran has shown no change in course while trying to resolve the dispute over its nuclear program.
Even after months of engagement by the United States, Iran still has no rebuttal for the United States overtures about its nuclear program. President Obama needs to start being proactive about the situation.
Years after the United Nations Security Council first demanded that Iran stop its pursuit of enriching uranium, which can be used for nuclear fuel or weapons, Iran's response is to keep the centrifuges spinning.
In turn, Washington plans to circulate a new round of sanctions to the rest of the international community. This would be the fourth set of sanctions in as many years.
Many would argue that the UN Security Council has no right to try to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The five permanent members – the United States, England, France, China and Russia – are all nuclear powers.
Many nations in the international community share the United States's concern. But Russia and China have strong economic ties to Iran, so each has tried to water down sanctions previously.
Because of this, the Security Council has been rendered ineffective, allowing Iran to pursue its nuclear interests. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton issued a very public warning to China to accept the most recent sanctions or face diplomatic isolation from the United States.
Let's not forget that it was only last fall that Iran was discovered to have a secret enrichment facility plant. The world powers proposed a deal with Tehran: open all nuclear facilities to international inspectors and send its stock of uranium abroad to be turned into nuclear reactor fuel.
That wouldn't have solved any problems, but at least it would have bought more time for a long-term solution to be worked out. However, the political elite of Iran rejected that deal. This is where the international community has been for months.
The situation is complex and it's a very sensitive time within Iran as well. Fallout from last June's presidential election is still being contested. The government has cracked down on any political protests and there have been accusations of political executions.
The proposed sanctions must inflict maximum damage to a regime that is so repressive. But it will be tough to accomplish without hurting the average Iranian citizen, and negotiations must be continuous.
Many Middle East experts have theorized that the government is in a weakened condition and that the United States is trying to improve relations and focus on regime change.
The United States has a long history of regime change, going all the way back to overthrowing the queen of Hawaii in 1893. This country even played a major role in staging a coup d'état in Iran once already, in 1953. The world watched as the United States fell flat on its face with regime change in Iraq.
Not shocking either is Iran's claim that the opposition is a tool of the West. The United States and its allies must be very conscious of the fact that the Iranian people are extremely prideful and independent.
A solution must be found as soon as possible; after all, the centrifuges keep spinning.