POST SCRIPTS

1985-1987, Iran begins it's first centrifuge enrichment program.

1991, Iran secretly imports one ton of uranium from China. Neither country reports the transfer to the IAEA which is supposed to occur according to a 1968 nuclear proliferation treaty they both signed.

1995, one reactor is nearly 98% finished and one is about 50% finished at Bushehr, Russian's are now doing the work.

1999, Iran tests nuclear centrifuges used for refining uranium to fissionable material.

2001, Natanz, Iran, two facilities spring up, one an enrichment plant that will eventually hold 1,000 centrifuges and that will contain about 50,000 centrifuges, again, for refining uranium to fissionable material.

August 14, 2002, Iran's Nuclear Program surfaces for the world to know and the National Council Of Resistance Of Iran holds press conference in Washington D.C. and talks openly about it.

October 2003, Iran tells the media it conducted "a limited number of tests using small amounts of UF6" in 1999 and 2002.

Nov. 10, 2003, Iran reacts to growing world pressure and the Nuclear Treaty they signed and announces they will allow thorough UN inspections and they will accept "enhanced safeguards". The new "Protocol" calls for unannounced inspection of facilities. Iran signs the Protocol on Dec. 18, 2003.

Nov. 15, 2004, Iran says it will suspend uranium enrichment while they engage with further talks with UN regulators.

March 7th, 2005, Vice President Cheney warned of “meaningful consequences� if Iran “stays on its present course.� He stressed that “the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime.� And he said: “We join other nations in sending that regime a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.�

April 20, 2005, George Bush refuses to rule out a nuclear strike against Iran, if diplomacy fails to halt Iran's nuclear program.

August 2005, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is installed; Iran promises "irreversible" resumption of weaponized uranium enrichment. "August 15, Iran removes IAEA seals from uranium hexafluoride conversion lines at Esfahan."

September 24, 2005, the IAEA Resolution finds Iran in noncompliance with its NPT obligations but defers referral to UN Security Council to give EU-3-led diplomacy an opportunity to work.

January-February 2006, Iran breaks IAEA seals at Natanz and resumes uranium enrichment.

March 2006, March 24 - Diplomats say Iran is rapidly expanding uranium enrichment program.

March 21 2006, President Bush sent a warning to Iran, "I've made it clear that we will use military might to protect our ally Israel"

April 12 2006, Ahmadinejad says Iran has enriched uranium to a level used in power stations. This draws rebukes from world powers, including Russia and China.

April 16, 2006, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched a new attack on Israel yesterday, calling it "a rotten, dried tree" that could be knocked over by "a single storm".

April 18th, 2006, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that Iran's military must be prepared amid escalating tensions.

April 19th, 2006, "Reuters - Oil held above $72 a barrel on Wednesday on fears Iran's intensifying dispute with the West may lead to a supply cut from the world's fourth largest exporter."

The chronology is is very ominous and you can see the escalation in rhetoric, but the more you known about Iran's President, the scarier this story becomes. He sees himself as a pillar of Islam, doing Allah's bidding and is therefore he is infallible in his own mind. While speaking to military officers at a parade marking Army Day, Ahmadinejad said, "Today, you are among the world's most powerful armies because you rely on God." "Iran's enemies know your courage, faith and commitment to Islam and the land of Iran has created a powerful army that can powerfully defend the political borders and the integrity of the Iranian nation and cut off the hand of any aggressor and place the sign of disgrace on their forehead."

If there is a bright note here, it is Iran's dependancy on oil to support it's economy. It is unlikely even Ahmadinejad would do anything to stop the flow of oil, even if they suffered an Israeli or US air stike on their nuclear facility.