I agree. The Iranians cannot afford to shutdown their nuclear program. it will cost them too much financially (getting energy from other sources), and the number of jobs it generates is too huge.
For these reasons they cannot shut down their programme. However, what I DONT understand is that when they're offered a LIGHT water programme FOR FREE, they still refuse, and want to use their own HEAVY water production facilities.... There's NO legitimate reason for refusing. Firstly because the energy generation is the same. They save cash on the aqusition, and replacing the old facilities with new ones generates jobs, and accepting those terms would make the west VERY happy.
So why do they hang on to the HEAVY water (deuterium) production ? The only reason I can think of is that they want to use to to enrich Uranium (which is NOT possible with LIGHT water facilities). While I never actually DID finish my studies in nuclear engineering, I'm sure someone else can correct me if I'm wrong. But wouldn't that suggest that they NEED or WANT enriched Uranium for something.. Possibly something OTHER than energy production ?
This worries me a GREAT deal. Because Iran is supposed to be the epitomy of an Islamic republic, and the muslim people NEED that as a part of their faith. To believe that this form of goverment WILL work. And this kind of bull headed diplomacy, may well shake the foundation of that republic, and throw it into serious international problems. And we do NOT need/want anymore problem in the middle east, nor do the muslims.
I doubt that an agreement will be reached by the 31st. But I also doubt that more negotiating wont take place. It's needed, and wanted and beyond that, it's desired !