Iran’s dictatorship claimed yesterday that it was provoked to announce the expansion of its nuclear program by a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last week that censured Iran for failing to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions on the nuclear issue. Iranian Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi, who also supervises Iran’s nuclear program, said that Iran’s decision to build ten more uranium enrichment plants was in retaliation for the IAEA resolution demanding a halt in Iranian enrichment activities.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle warned that the world’s patience was not endless: “It is clear that if Iran rejects the outstretched hand of the international community, it must expect further sanctions.” French officials were less diplomatic. French Foreign Minister called Iran’s reaction “a bit childish” while French Defense Minister Herve Morin concluded that: “It’s clear for weeks that the extended hand of Barack Obama and the extended hand of the international community, in an approach of transparency…are not working.” Meanwhile, there is no sign that the White House recognizes this reality.