There is a country in the Middle East that seems dead set on triggering a third world war.

Earlier this week, Iran successfully tested its first radar-evading aircraft. They have also pressed ahead with plans that would dramatically increase its ability to make nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic, led by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, continues to act in direct defiance of U.N. sanctions aimed at preventing them from producing enriched, weapons-grade uranium.

Ever since Ahmadinejad came to power, he has made the development of Iran’s nuclear program a top priority. In 2006, he declared their scientists had successfully refined uranium to a stage suitable for developing nuclear technology.

From the beginning, Ahmadinejad has maintained that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful. He claims their enriched uranium will merely provide fuel for research reactors and nuclear power plants. However, when considering the Iranian leader’s questionable actions and words of the past, it seems more and more like a cover for a weapons program.

A couple years ago, when Iran achieved nuclear capabilities, Ahmadinejad stated that Iran could finally talk to the world now that they held the position of a nuclear state. Why would he say such a thing if the technology was to be used solely for peaceful purposes? It clearly seems he has a political agenda behind Iran’s nuclear development.

Ahmadinejad has a definite plan for the future, which includes nuclear weapons. Actually, it’s more of a bucket list. With the kind of comments this guy has made while in power, it seems he plans on either getting what he wants, or going out, guns blazing.

Ahmadinejad has been outspoken when it comes to anti-Semitic sentiments. The most popular example being when he said Israel should be “wiped off the map.” Some translators say he instead said “the regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the page of time.” Nevertheless, whatever the source of Persian to English translation, all can agree that he did refer to the destruction of the Israeli nation.

In addition, Ahmadinejad has described the Holocaust as a myth on many occasions. His denial of the worst genocide in human history, coupled with hopes of a future genocide, must raise concerns around the world as Iran continues to move toward the production of nuclear bombs.

It is hard to believe that Iran’s nuclear technology is simply for research and electricity. Ahmadinejad continues to deny U.N. inspectors from freely visiting Iranian nuclear facilities and viewing their designs: a direct violation of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This, above all else, raises speculation that there is something they are hiding.

Further illustrating my point, look at May of last year, when Iran test-launched a long-range missile. Ahmadinejad was quoted telling Iranians that they were sending the West a message that “the Islamic Republic of Iran is running the show.”

This is scary stuff people. Despite the strength in numbers of the many countries trying to curb Iran’s nuclear enthusiasm, nothing seems to be working.

Iran has already defied five U.N. Security Council resolutions — and three sets of sanctions — that have pressured them to freeze uranium enrichment.

As Ahmadinejad continues to ignore the diplomacy of the world, the prospect of military action becomes more and more likely. I hate to be pessimistic, but at this point I only see two possible outcomes to the situation. Either Iran will acquire and use nuclear weapons, or some other country will use military force to stop them.

It’s going to get ugly.

Mike Crissman is a freshman journalism major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].