Here is a 2003 article where Iran is evaluating 243 new hydroelectric dams with 79 under construction.

http://www.payvand.com/news/03/sep/1062.html

The link below contains this quote “effort by Iran to increase hydroelectric power generation capacity by 3 300 MW by the end of its five-year development plan in 2010″

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8957

Iran also just completed their first wind farm, using largely domestic parts due to sanctions.

The facts are clear that Iran is trying HARD to develop alternative power sources, that hydro cannot be enough in a semi-arid land (I doubt that wind would either) and so they have a clear need for nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

The USA ignores their legitimate need to reduce oil & gas fired electricity and points only at the potential military uses.

It is an open question whether Iran’s nuclear power program is dual use (driven by civilian needs with a secondary military role) or strictly civilian. I see no proof either way ATM.

I do note that Iran did not use poison gas against Iraq, despite Iraq using poison gas against Iranian troops (and making mustard or chlorine gas is simple to do). At the time, Iran claimed that would be against their religious principles. Today, Iran claims that developing nuclear weapons would be against their religious principles.

However, given the series of lies by GWB from Iraq’s WMD to Jackson Square in New Orleans, I give cannot give him the benefit of the doubt.

So,

1) I believe that Iran has a need for civilian nuclear power.

2) I am not convinced that Iran does not want an atomic bomb since I would in their shoes (neighbors Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, USA (occupies nations to East & West of Iran so an unfriendly neighbor) all have nuclear weapons) but I also give credibility to their religious claims.