(Image source: IRNA)

BY YUTAKA HAYASHI AND TRACY PFEIFFER

Iran has officially connected its first nuclear reactor to the power grid.

The country’s nuclear capabilities has been giving other countries headaches for years-- but now, Iran says it is willing to allow quote- “supervision” of its facilities.

Here’s The New York Times.

“Iran on Monday made its first counterproposal in two years to ease the confrontation with the West over its nuclear program, offering to allow international inspectors ‘full supervision’ of the country’s nuclear activities for the next five years, but on the condition that the mounting sanctions against Iran are lifted.”

The announcement comes after the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency said it is quote- “increasingly concerned” about the country’s nuclear program.

The BBC has more.

KERRY SKYRING, BBC: “The IAEA says it has new information which it describes as ‘comprehensive’ and ‘credible’ on activities possibly related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile. …Iran has begun installing machines, which will continue and expand its uranium enrichment program. That uranium can be used for fuel for nuclear energy or to make an atomic bomb.”

But ITN tells a different story, saying-- the country still doesn’t have the capability to weaponize.

"Iran can now produce 20% pure uranium, far less than the 90% purity required to build a bomb, but far more than 3.5% required to produce power. Iran says it has nothing but good intentions for its program, though.”

So will allowing full supervision convince other countries -- like the U.S. -- to lift sanctions against Iran?

Nation blogger Robert Dreyfuss says-- probably not.

“...Iran’s alleged support for terrorism—i.e., its backing for Hamas and Hezbollah, its spurious ties to Al Qaeda and its support for anti-US forces in Iraq—mean that sanctions ought to continue indefinitely.”

But a contributor for The Huffington Post says-- sanctions clearly haven’t been working.

So the United States-- should change its tune.

“While proliferation in the Middle East is a legitimate concern, the United States needs to stop wasting precious diplomatic leverage and credibility and face the facts -- Iran is headed for nuclear weapons capability. Washington needs to engage the Iranian leadership now... Refusing dialogue, watching Iranian enrichment activity progress, and lamenting the failure of economic pressure is not going to cut it.”