The Wire

Comments by Iran’s president-elect, that Iran would not rule out developing its nuclear capabilities has been received with considerable concern by the West. Mamoud Ahmaddinajad was elected last Friday, beating his rival Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is seen by the west as moderate. Some of those seeking reform in Iran have questioned the election outcome and have raised concerns that the election of the more hardline Ahmaddinajad. Opponents claim the move may see the country return to the bad days of the purges and tight controls on civil liberties. But some observers believe that no matter who was elected on Friday, western countries such as the United States, are keen to demonise the Iranian government. Dr Paul White is a Research officer in Middle East Politics at the university of western Sydney He told the Wire that the public needed to be sceptical of claims that Iran was a serious threat to peace in the Middle East.