The Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program - Term Paper Example

Political prestige brings to the forefront two very important functions. First, it makes every government think twice and also less willing to oppose the prestigious nation. Newfound prestige also increases foreign policy accomplishments, which in turn brings even more prestige and power. The second important political function that this kind of prestige gives to a nation is a low-cost foreign policy that brings compliance by foreign governments.Iran is a nation that exists within the context of a dangerous and complicated international situation.

Bordering on the east is a nuclear-armed and America friendly Pakistan. Also to the east lies Afghanistan, whose government was recently toppled by American forces. To the west lies Iraq, a once potential nuclear weapons state with which Iran fought an exhausting eight-year war. Seeing the fall of two neighboring states as a result of military intervention by the United States, Iran now has new cause for concern. In the Middle East lies Israel, an undeclared nuclear state that stands and poses a very formidable threat to Iran.

As one can see, Iran has many possible enemies, and some of them are armed with nuclear weapons and this is extremely threatening to the Iranian nation (Sidney, 111).As a nation which regards itself as a major regional power, Iran feels a need to develop advanced weaponry. It is extremely possible that the leadership in Tehran has given high priority to the development of nuclear weapons so that it can keep up with its nuclear neighbors such as India, Pakistan, and Israel. Iran may very well feel that prestige and an elevation in international status will accompany its possession of nuclear weapons, as is apparent in the cases of India and Pakistan.