Argumentative against Iran's Procurement of Nuclear Energy - Research Paper Example

4 May 2018 An Essay Contesting Iran’s Procurement of Nuclear Energy American administrators have been preoccupied, with the threat that Iran can present in the face of acquisition or procurement of nuclear energy, for a long time. In keeping with this apprehension United States has been pressurizing Russia, China and other countries to recognize the danger and defer from supplying the essential materials and technological know-how to Iran. .( George Perkovich, April 28, 2003, Dealing With Iran’s Nuclear Challenge, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) For decades Iran has been an ardent spiritual as well as financial supporter of Islamic militants active in the region. Lending support to the Islamic militant is an extension of its anti-western philosophy. The Iranian model of rebel against what they call as western hegemony and dictatorship is to lend moral and financial support to extremist group. This is similar to the rhetoric assumed by various other fanatic groups. This philosophy is deeply embedded in its various institutions guided by certain Islamic law. Iran funds for the various equipments, weapons, training and even literature required to run Islamic militant group. A senior official of the Palestinian intelligence reported that a reward of $10,000 has been given the Islamic Jihad. The condition for the reward was that it should launch rockets towards Tel Aviv from West Bank. Tehran, in Iran has been associated with various anti-Israel and anti-Western assaults and attacks. These activities range from capturing hostages, undertaking assignations, bombings and airline hijackings. Iranian links has been traced to the capture of thirty Western hostages from the year 1984 to 1992 from Lebanon. The Iranian link has also been traced to the bombings carried out at the French-US barracks (1983), and at the US Embassy in Beirut, militant attacks directed at the Israeli Embassy at Buenos Aires. The Iranian connection is also evident in the militant attacks directed at the Argentine Jewish communal building (1994). Intelligence reports also unearthed that Iran provides refuge as well as safe passage to the al-Qaida terrorists. (Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States) Iran has continued to resist negotiations on its program of nuclear weapon. The seriousness of the Iranian threat has been amplified. The threat that Iran posses to the security of Israel and US, has been evident from terror and rocket attacks on Israel, carried out with Iran’s support by the Lebanese extremist group, namely the Hezbollah. The rocket attacks amount to as many as 10,000 according to press reports. John Negroponte the Director of National Intelligence revealed in his evaluation of the 2006 Annual Threat Report that, American intelligence agencies have revealed that Iran has been carrying out secret uranium enrichment program for more than two decade in blatant violation and defiance of its International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreement The nation on its part has been claiming that it has no such nuclear program. However the U.S. Intelligence Community has reasons to believe that Iran has not been able to acquire or produce the weapons graded nuclear fuel needed for nuclear weapon, and will not be able to produce a nuclear weapon before the beginning of the decade. The intelligence report states however that Iran may in fact posses chemical weapons development as well as research ability and probably has biological weapon program as well. There is concern that Iran may utilize its ballistic missiles for nuclear weapon production. Iran has been providing support materials like, rockets, training, weapon and financial support to Islamic extremist and terror organizations in various countries like Lebanon and Palestine. ((Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States) There has been evidence to support the fact that various parts of the national security apparatus in Iran have been proactively involved in instigating and supporting insurgent in Iraq. Such activities places the lives of US soldiers and peace keeping forces from other countries in grave danger apart from destabilizing recovery endeavors. In light of all these activities, the measures taken to restrict supply of technology and materials should continue to proceed. There should be prohibitions against any overt or covert transfer of supply which can result in the up gradation of Iranian nuclear production capability. Various loopholes in the international non-proliferation regime enable Iran as well as various other countries to acquire nuclear capabilities in various grab. Nuclear capabilities in the hands of countries like Iran is very likely to be utilized for production of nuclear weapons which in turn can pose a immense threat, to the stability of the already volatile region and to international peace and safety. Iran is likely to gain nuclear weapon capability if intrepid and innovative steps are not taken by the United States. Innovative and bold measures taken by United States may be successful in convincing Iran to discard its move towards acquisition of nuclear technology but will at least ensure that Iran may reevaluate its goals and redirect its course. The amount of scientific and technical talent, finances and more importantly political and symbolic motive and pride invested in transforming Iran into a nuclear capable nation has been far too much for Iran to abandon it totally. Hence the most reasonable and buoyant outcome would be to redirect the focus of the nuclear program towards production of energy and electricity at the retractors. Iran has to reiterate its commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and abide by its conditions of not trying to indigenously trying enriching uranium or carrying out plutonium separation. In Iran there are four vaguely perceived threats to its security that seem to motivate it to acquire nuclear weapons capability. One is the nuclear weapon capable Pakistan (May 1998). Persians (Iranians) have always considered themselves as historically and culturally superior neighbors of Pakistan. The global recognition gained by Pakistan through its nuclear power insulted the Iranian ego. Iran further see a real thereat in the Talibanization of Pakistan. Apart from Pakistan Iranians perceive a threat from Israel, US and Iraq. Thus it is necessary to make the Iran realize that acquiring nuclear weapon capability doesn’t in any way enhance its national security interest and May in fact increase hostility from other countries. ( George Perkovich, April 28, 2003, Dealing With Iran’s Nuclear Challenge, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) In August 22, 2006 in a letter Iran articulate its readiness to undertake "serious negotiations" concerning its nuclear program. However such an attempt by Iran while providing a scope for some solution also provides numerous important challenges for the policymakers in US. They are faced with the impending challenge of evaluating the intentions of Iran, given its pat aggressive history. There is a need to analyze whether Iran would try to exploit any agreement or loopholes in the agreement, for expansion and advancement of nuclear weapon program. U.S. . In the past Iran has undertaken pervasive crusade to mask the actual nature of its nuclear program from the international community as well as the IAEA. (Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States) Any move by Iran for procurement of nuclear weapon presents immense treat to United States and its allies. Threat perceptions have increased following the election of the fundamentalist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who openly threatened United States and Israel, at public addresses. Iran is responsible to a large extent for the resulting violence in both Lebanon and Israel. Such activity aimed at sponsoring terror destabilizes the peace and security of the region and produces hostility. Armed with nuclear weapons capability, its egoistic attempt for regional and international superiority or illusions for gaining global power and recognition, are an immense threat to the international community at large and to United Nations in particular. Since December 2005 Iran has been endeavoring to continue its uranium enrichment program against the will of the international community. It is evident that by working in defiance of international will Iran risks isolation, international denunciation and condemnation, economic disorder, for one sole purpose, namely to clandestinely develop nuclear weapons. (Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States) Certain expert exterior opinion believes that the Leaders in Iran hold a divided opinion about proceeding on the nuclear weapon program. Certain leader’s hold that ran should carry forward nuclear research only within the parameters of the Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty so as to avoid disrupting its trade links. According to this external opinion, unless the decisions and intent of these leaders are more evident it is not possible to comprehend weather Iran is actually undertaking a nuclear weapon program. . (Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States) A nuclear weapon capable Iran is likely to encourage the Iranian leadership to move forward with aggressive aspirations both within and outside the region. Further there is a greater probability of using terrorist support to advance such ambitions, given Iran’s past record. There is greater chance of such attacks being directed at United States and its allies and friends to endangering their security and stability. Nuclear capability may embolden the Iranian leadership to use less of traditional armed forces and more of nuclear arsenals to retaliate against United States and its various allies. Further nuclear weapon capability of Iran will aggravate and worsen the tension in the region. Consequently countries like Israel (which Iran perceives as a actual treat) and even Turkey ( which may not be in very good terms, but is not perceived as hostile or aggressive) and others in the region may find their security endangered, resulting in misconstrued or even deliberate attack precipitating in the volatile region. . (Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States)This will also generate a climate of regional mistrust resulting in attacks, retaliatory attacks and even enhance the treat of terrorist attacks. In order to maintain regional and international security and peace as well as to avert any potential danger to United States and its allies it is important to prevent Iran from procuring nuclear weapon capability. Harsh sanctions, censure, and intimidation have not proven to be fruitful in dissuading Iran from its nuclear procurement course and may in fact further alienate them. A more realistic approach is to restrict and cut off the supply of technology and material’s from all possible sources. Apart from this a proactive action based strategy should be employed for demonstrating and making it evident to Iran that it require nuclear weapons capability defend it self from any potential threat from US, Israel, Iraq or Pakistan. Further it should be made evident to Iran that nuclear weapon capability is inconsequential for it to acquire global recognition and status in the international community. ( George Perkovich, April 28, 2003, Dealing With Iran’s Nuclear Challenge, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) Reference George Perkovich, April 28, 2003, Dealing With Iran’s Nuclear Challenge, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, (online) data retrieved on 9th Oct 2006, available at Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States, (online) data retrieved on 9th Oct 2006,available at News Max.com, Thursday, June 5, 2003,State Department's Bolton Warns of Nuclear Threats From Iran and North Korea, U.S. State Department, , (online) data retrieved on 9th Oct 2006, available at See previous article, Administration to Announce 'Rollback' Strategy for WMD Read More

(Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States) Iran has continued to resist negotiations on its program of nuclear weapon. The seriousness of the Iranian threat has been amplified. The threat that Iran posses to the security of Israel and US, has been evident from terror and rocket attacks on Israel, carried out with Iran’s support by the Lebanese extremist group, namely the Hezbollah. The rocket attacks amount to as many as 10,000 according to press reports.

John Negroponte the Director of National Intelligence revealed in his evaluation of the 2006 Annual Threat Report that, American intelligence agencies have revealed that Iran has been carrying out secret uranium enrichment program for more than two decade in blatant violation and defiance of its International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreement The nation on its part has been claiming that it has no such nuclear program. However the U.S. Intelligence Community has reasons to believe that Iran has not been able to acquire or produce the weapons graded nuclear fuel needed for nuclear weapon, and will not be able to produce a nuclear weapon before the beginning of the decade.

The intelligence report states however that Iran may in fact posses chemical weapons development as well as research ability and probably has biological weapon program as well. There is concern that Iran may utilize its ballistic missiles for nuclear weapon production. Iran has been providing support materials like, rockets, training, weapon and financial support to Islamic extremist and terror organizations in various countries like Lebanon and Palestine. ((Us house of Representatives, August 23, 2006, Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States) There has been evidence to support the fact that various parts of the national security apparatus in Iran have been proactively involved in instigating and supporting insurgent in Iraq.

Such activities places the lives of US soldiers and peace keeping forces from other countries in grave danger apart from destabilizing recovery endeavors. In light of all these activities, the measures taken to restrict supply of technology and materials should continue to proceed. There should be prohibitions against any overt or covert transfer of supply which can result in the up gradation of Iranian nuclear production capability. Various loopholes in the international non-proliferation regime enable Iran as well as various other countries to acquire nuclear capabilities in various grab.

Nuclear capabilities in the hands of countries like Iran is very likely to be utilized for production of nuclear weapons which in turn can pose a immense threat, to the stability of the already volatile region and to international peace and safety. Iran is likely to gain nuclear weapon capability if intrepid and innovative steps are not taken by the United States. Innovative and bold measures taken by United States may be successful in convincing Iran to discard its move towards acquisition of nuclear technology but will at least ensure that Iran may reevaluate its goals and redirect its course.

The amount of scientific and technical talent, finances and more importantly political and symbolic motive and pride invested in transforming Iran into a nuclear capable nation has been far too much for Iran to abandon it totally. Hence the most reasonable and buoyant outcome would be to redirect the focus of the nuclear program towards production of energy and electricity at the retractors. Iran has to reiterate its commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and abide by its conditions of not trying to indigenously trying enriching uranium or carrying out plutonium separation.

In Iran there are four vaguely perceived threats to its security that seem to motivate it to acquire nuclear weapons capability. One is the nuclear weapon capable Pakistan (May 1998).

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