ME fighting threatens Iran diplomacy

Outside Iran, the fighting could sharpen the resolve of Western powers and others that fear Iran wants to build a nuclear weapon and is using what it calls a civilian programme as a cover for that ambition. Inside the country, hard-line forces might become increasingly unwilling to make concessions.

One of the immediate worries is that Iran could set off a regional arms race and bring new risks to an area brimming with tensions. The fighting in Lebanon and the Hezbollah rocket attacks highlight concerns that nuclear material, whether from Iran or elsewhere, could in the future find its way into the hands of militant groups like Hezbollah who want to destroy Israel.

"This will certainly be on the Western mind," said Ahmad Bakhshaiesh, a political affairs researcher at Azadi University in Tehran, who has written extensively on the Iran's nuclear positions. "No one is saying this is possible or could even happen, but just the thought will likely increase the pressure on Iran."

Earlier this month, a private nuclear watchdog group, the Nuclear Threat Initiative, criticised world leaders for not following through on pledges to secure nuclear sources. The Washington-based group said tons of nuclear material remains "dangerously vulnerable to either outsider or insider theft."

The report did not mention Iran by name but called on leaders in the Group of Eight the world's richest nations to take stronger steps to close all gaps in nuclear security.