Nuclear Balance in Iran
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Transcript of Nuclear Balance in Iran
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT
Nuclear in Iran
The Balance of Nuclear Driven for Peace or War
Jack Cordrey
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT Abstract
The recent controversy over Irans nuclear program and the potential security risks that proliferation
of nuclear technology is the primary source to which this document will try to comprehend,
summarise and evaluate based upon recent events and actions both from the representative nations
including the United States as well as the Iranian government. The evaluation will also endeavour to
justify whether Iran should be given rights to nuclear technology and to which current policies
should be adapted to ensure that the codes of the NPT are upheld.
Background
Iran has existed as a nuclear nation since launching, with the aid of the US, its nuclear program in the
1950s under the Atoms for Peace program. Up until the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which brought
about political instability, was the beginning of controversy over Irans technological powers on
nuclear energy, ultimately ending the trusted backing of the United States and Western European
governments. 1
Over the past four decades, which the Soviet Union also aiding Irans nuclear program, the nations
government has signed various treaties which ultimately repudiating the possession of weapons of
mass destruction. Such policies include the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons
Convention, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)2, which we will discuss further.
As background knowledge, Iran's nuclear program includes several research sites, two uranium
mines, a research reactor, and uranium processing facilities that include three known uranium
enrichment plants. There has also been further indication that Iran will seek more medium-sized
nuclear power plants and uranium mines in the future, whether this will be possible will depend on
the current sanctions, actions and negotiations between Iran and other concerned countries.3
Under the strict adapted policy of the NPT which is implemented in Iran, in November of 2011, the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors disapproved of Irans current
program after an IAEA report concluded that before 2003, Iran seemingly has undertaken research
and development to construct a nuclear weapons capability, without notifying the IAEA of such
actions which undermines the NPT agreement signed by the Iranian government.4
The allegations in the report articulates Irans development in nuclear weapons design which
includes detonator development, multiple-point initiation of high explosives and experiments
involving the integration of a nuclear payload into a missile delivery vehicle, i.e. a warhead.
However it should be mentioned that the majority of these allegations date prior to 2003, and that
little has changed since then, but the principle of not informing the board at the IAEA, has caused a
great controversy about Irans future plans for its nuclear program, simply due to the restricted
access that Iran gives over to inspectors, especially US officials. This is the main cause of the
controversy in the media, which many believe has blown the whole issue out of proportion and
subsequently has led to reduced cooperation by the Iranian government towards the IAEA6.
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT What is the NPT?
United States at the Head of Nuclear Power: An Awkward Guest List to Nuclear Security Party
Source: http://media.economist.com/images/images-magazine/2010/18/ir/201018ird001.jpg
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT), is an international treaty which regards the prevention of and spread of nuclear weapons
and weapons technology, to also promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to
further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament of
nuclear weapons.7
The NPT consists of a preamble and eleven articles in total, however it can be deduced that the
agreement can be expressed as a three pillar system, with no explicit weighting on any such pillar.
1) non-proliferation,
2) disarmament
3) the right to peacefully use nuclear technology
There is a central consensus that is adopted by all participating states
The NPT non-nuclear-weapon states agree never to acquire nuclear weapons and the NPT nuclear-
weapon states in exchange agree to share the benefits of peaceful nuclear technology and to pursue
nuclear disarmament aimed at the ultimate elimination of their nuclear arsenals.8
Although the NPT signature states agree to not rebuke any of the terms of the treaty there is no
explicit sanctions that can be enforced instantly upon disregard of the relevant terms however the
United Nations Security States (namely the US, UK, France, China and Russia which are nuclear
weapon states), can intervene with international conferences on instating sanctions on a countries
imports, exports, economy, aid, etc.
From this there have been several additional measures adopted to strengthen the NPT from making
it difficult for states to acquire the capability to produce nuclear weapons, which includes the export
controls of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, which handles the movement of nuclear material across the
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT globe as well the stringent measures of the IAEA Additional Protocol, which reports the condition
and structure of a states nuclear program to relevant security boards.
However it controversy surround the NPT, and some criticise that this treaty cannot prevent
proliferation of nuclear weapons or the determination to acquire the military capability of nuclear
technology and tactics. The key issue that supports this criticism is that the five authorised nuclear
weapons states (US, UK, France, China and Russia) have a total stockpile of 22,000 warheads and
that limited progress has been made to disarm this potential and the relevant countries show
unwillingness to further disarm. The main reason for this is that once a state possesses nuclear
weapons, whether they intend to use stockpile warheads during war time, this provides a formidable
mental force that enemy countries will not want to be placed against in the instance of war. So
realistically the disarmament of current nuclear weapons most likely will not occur, hence the NPT
breaks down in this instance however as these states are authorised to possess such capabilities the
disarmament policy can help to prevent and ensure other countries from possessing similar nuclear
capabilities, hence reducing the number of nuclear arms available in the world.
Israels Supposed Nuclear Weapons - Allied with the United States - No Need to Investigate Iran Not So Much
Source: http://prensaislamica.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/aledoniyya-files-wp-com-israel-nuclear.jpg
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT What influence does the IAEA have?
Source: http://www.kipt.kharkov.ua/conferences/ipp/2008/Pictures/IAEA.jpg
As stated on the IAEA website, the International Atomic Energy Agency was established to
Seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity
throughout the world. It shall ensure, so far as it is able, that assistance provided by it or at its
request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military
purpose.9
Basically the agency intends to ensure that nuclear technology and science is used for peaceful
means, and that by ensuring international peace in terms of nuclear weapons and technology, and
keeping such information safe and secure that the worlds Millennium Goals10 for economic, social
and environmental development are progressed towards.
The IAEA was established on a Statute, which comprised of 12 main articles that state the function
and policy procedures of the agency. More information can be found at
http://www.iaea.org/About/statute.html
The main functions of the agency surround encouraging and assisting the research and development
of practical applications of nuclear (atomic) energy for peaceful uses, which rely on performance of
key procedures surrounding the exchange of information, supply of materials, equipment and
resources as well as services on operational procedure. The agency also encourages the exchange of
information between states for peaceful uses as well as ensuring that provisions for such
applications of the information are always available, well documented, safe and secure. In terms of
safety the IAEA deals with the policies that help to ensure maximal protection and safety when
dealing with nuclear technology, from the point of extraction of nuclear material from mines to the
construction of the applications to the safe operations of such applications.
The main objective in terms of the IAEA policy creation is to set safeguards to ultimately achieve and
help fulfil its functions as well as preventing countries using these benefits of exchange and
availability for military use.
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT In terms of Iran...
IAEA vs. Iran
Source: http://www.enduringamerica.com/storage/blog-post images/IRAN%20NUCLEAR.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1320790060477
In November 2003 IAEAs former Director General Mohamed ElBaradei reported that Iran had over
an extended period of time, had numerously failed to meet its NPT safeguard obligations. The main
accusation was that the Iranian government had failed to declare its uranium enrichment program.
From the time of the report, for over two years EU3-led diplomatic efforts and with the immediate
temporary suspension of the enrichment program11, the IAEA Board of Governors, acting under
Article XII.C of the IAEA Statute, concluded that in a rare non-consensus decision there were a total
of 12 singular cases that these failures corresponded to non-compliance with the IAEA safeguards
agreement. From the diplomatic meetings, the findings were finally reported to the UN Security
Council in 2006, which resulted in the immediate demand for Iran to suspend its enrichment
program, which Iran decided to disregard12.
Since the Security Council congregation in 2006, the IAEA has continued its efforts in verifying
further allegations of undeclared nuclear activities13. These allegations surfaced from the studies of
documentation that content weaponisation of nuclear material in Iran, as reported from other
member states of the NPT. However with the reluctant cooperation of the Iranian government,
progress towards determining the state of Irans nuclear program, whether military proliferation is
occurring and the presence of restricted activities, have been extremely slow and at current there
have been no significant evidence reports that support the allegations.
Irans continued progress in nuclear technology from its uranium enrichment program at Natanz to
its continuing work on a heavy water reactor at Arak, forecast to become operational in 2014, which
is ideal for plutonium production, has continued to raise controversy and worry that Iran is still
continuing to pursue nuclear for military use rather than peaceful civilian use, which is allowed
under Article IV of the NPT14. Also with the accusations of secretly many years before the injunction
in 2006, Iran has progressed with is weaponisation work for the purpose of developing nuclear
weapons. Also in particular that the availability of fissile material, which has long been understood
as the chief obstacle to deter nuclear weapons development and with easy access ensures the
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT progressive pacing element for any weapons program. So even though Iran has stated that it has
suspended its weaponisation design activities, this is the least import action as material production
is considered the more important factor. This was also stated by the U.S. Director of National
Intelligence Mike McConnell.15
In April 2010, during the signing of the U.S.-Russia New START Treaty, President Obama, during the
signing of the US-Russia New START Treaty in 2010, demanded that Iran face the consequences of
failing to fulfil their obligation to their NPT agreement. Obama stated that
[The treaty between the US and Russia] includes accountability for those that break the rules,
otherwise the NPT is just words on a page. That's why the United States and Russia are part of a
coalition of nations insisting that the Islamic Republic of Iran face consequences, because they have
continually failed to meet their obligations. We are working together at the United Nations Security
Council to pass strong sanctions on Iran. And we will not tolerate actions that flout the NPT, risk an
arms race in a vital region, and threaten the credibility of the international community and our
collective security."16
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT So what has occurred so far?
A Little Drastic BUT is the US Controlling Our Interest in Sanctions Against Iran
Source: http://syrianfreepress.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/prevent_holocaust_bomb_iran.jpg
The UN Sanctions imposed on Iran
Since President Obamas comments during the signing of the New START Treaty, the UN Security
Council in June 2010, passed Council Resolution 1929 which recalls all previous Resolutions
concerning Iran and its nuclear program, from 2006. The main concerns of the Resolution where to
ensure that Iran immediately co-operate with the IAEA on all outstanding issues, especially
surrounding the military standing in part of Irans nuclear program. From this there should be
granted unlimited access to all sites, personnel, operations and information that should be
requested by the IAEA. Furthermore any safeguards that are currently not being complied with
should be immediately rendered, such as reprocessing and further enrichment of uranium material.
Some key provisions of the resolution are included below:17
Iran could not participate in any activities related to ballistic missiles.
A ban on all countries providing military vehicles, aircraft or warships and missiles or missile
systems and related materiel to Iran;
A ban on training, financing or assistance related to such arms and materiel and restraint
over the sale of other arms and material to Iran;
A travel ban on individuals listed in the annexes of the resolution, with exceptions decided
by the Committee established in Resolution 1737;
The freezing of funds and assets of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and
Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.
More information on sanctions from EU member states can be found here
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31795.htm
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT The sanctions above primarily are concerned with the nuclear issues, from weapons to material
production, however there have been other sanctions that are non-UN mandated that have been
proposed and have been in place since abut 2011-2012.
Non UN Authorised Sanctions
The European Union specifically has proposed restrictions on international trade with Iran in terms
of financial and energy services, foreign trade and technologies. There has also been a outlaw of the
provision of insurance and reinsurance claims by insurers in member EU states to Iran and Iranian-
owned companies.18 From the 23rd January 2012, the EU and its members agreed to an oil
prohibition on Iran, effective from July of that year, while also freezing the assets of Iran's central
bank.19
In defiance to the act, which had not taken full effect, Iran pre-empted the restriction by ceasing
sales to Britain and France, however by which time both countries had already almost eliminated
their reliance on Iranian oil, and similarly Europe as a whole had nearly halved its Iranian imports. To
cause harm to the EU some Iranian politicians called for a more fanatical approach in an immediate
sales halt to all EU states, as to specifically hurt countries like Spain, Italy and Greece who were yet
to find alternative sources.20
To further cripple the Iranian financial system, as of the 17th March 2012, all Iranian banks identified
as breaching the sanctions such as providing financial streams for Iranian oil, were automatically
disconnected from the SWIFT. SWIFT is the world's hub of electronic financial transactions, and
without it, it is impossible to do any trading these days as everything is electronically processed.
However it should be mentioned that the some EU member states such as the UK lost out. One such
example is through the global shipping insurers; those based in London were unable to provide
cover for items, such as Japanese shipments of Iranian liquefied petroleum gas to South Korea, as
this would violate the sanctions, hence these insurers lost out on potential millions over the past few
years in terms of covering such export items, which in themselves were worth billions.21
Sanctions/ Actions by Non-EU Parties
The Chinese government has tried to accommodate US concerns about Iran by slowing their own
development of trade and investment with Iran; although in retrospect they could not completely
halt this as they business available is too valuable, so they opted to trade in Renminbi (part of the
Yuan) to avoid sanctions with the Obama administration on Chinese banks. Obviously the value in
the trading currency is worth less, compared to the US Dollar, as to please the US however trade was
still open to allow the Chinese to continue to expand their economy and keep their relatively well
relationship with Iran.22
The Australian government have imposed travel restrictions and bans on financial transitions on
certain individuals related to the Iranian nuclear weapons program or those involved in aiding such
efforts.23
Canada imposed a ban on all dealing in the property of designated Iranian nationals that where
related to the nuclear arms program. This included oil-refining equipment, financial institution
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT transactions, investments in the Iranian oil and gas sector, or providing a shipping of product and/or
services to Islamic Republic of Iran, however the Foreign Minister was issued an waver permit to
carry out any of the above specified prohibited activity or transaction.24
India too enacted a ban on the export of all items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology that
could contribute to Iran's nuclear program25, similar to the Canadian sanctions, however due to the
massive reliance on Iranian oil (12%)26, it would not further its action in sanctions against Iran.27
However it was sending a huge delegation28 to try and resolve the issues surrounding the nuclear
program, and end the sanctions and restore the balance of the multi-billion valued trading routes.
Israel instantly banned business with or unauthorised travel to Iran for any member under a law
banning ties with enemy states.29. They also implemented legislations to penalises companies that
try to trade with Iran.30
The most important nation, to which this whole issue weathervanes around is the United States who
has imposed an arms ban and an almost total economic embargo on Iran. Sanctions included
forbidding companies to do business with Iran, the suspension on all financial trades and imports of
Iranian origin and a complete sales embargo on selling aircraft, repairs and services to Iranian
aviation companies. The only possible way to obtain permission to forgo these restrictions is to
obtain a permit from the Treasury Department.
In June 2011, the reason for the United States imposing sanctions against Iran Air and Tidewater
Middle East Co., who runs seven Iranian ports, was that both companies were believed to be
involved in the assistance of the transport of illegal weapons and seen as both companies have close
ties with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whom are already under UN sanctions.31
Potentially more crudely, the US has also filed claims to designate certain senior Iranian officials
under the Iranian Human Rights Abuse sanction for their association with the nuclear program.32
Furthermore, in February 2012, all assets and property of the Central Bank of Iran as well as that of
the Iranian government within the US were frozen33. The ideal American view was to isolate the
Iranian energy sector which provides 80% of the Iranian governments revenue and also restrict their
access to the international financial system.34 (further information here)
As effect of all the current Resolutions, Iran has experienced serious negative effects in its economy,
politics, and humanitarian sectors.
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT Effects of Sanctions on Iran
Sanctions have Blocked All Trade and Aid to Iran
Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qf7KUw9vqT4/USH5Q19ZKdI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Z0wDOIvJyA4/s320/Tahrim.jpg
Economy
The sanctions have had massive effected Iran's US$483 billion, oil-dominated economy. As of June
2013, Irans oil economy has hit an all time 25 year low, after its major import clients; China, India,
Japan and South Korea restricted their imports, in accordance with the sanctions generated by the
Resolution 1929.35
Due to the large decrease everyday in export quantity of Iranian oil, the greatest reductions of about
2.5-2.6 million barrels per day in May 2013, the economy has suffered dearly, from many oil
companies withdrawing from Iran, which further decrease oil production hence the amount of oil
that can be exported. The biggest losses were from Japan, which imported only 8000 b/d, a 97%
reductions from 2012. Indian oil refinery companies, namely Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals
and Hindustan Petroleum Corp have been warned by European based insurers that they will lose
their insurance if they continue to operate in Iran.
However, currently due to the sanctions, as of December 2013, Iran threatens to start an oil price
war in the OPEC market, mostly against Saudi Arabia, to try to alleviate the sanctions against the
state.36
It is believed that during the sanctions, the Iranian economy lost out on close to US$60 billion in
terms of energy investment, a huge blow to the economy that is massive constructive around its
energy exports.37
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT Humanitarian
Due to the restriction on Irans financial sector and its ban from SWIFT, this has had a major effect
on humanitarian efforts, including the states healthcare system. Medical equipment and
pharmaceuticals are not deemed against any of the international sanctions above but are suffering
shortages for the treatment of 30 illnesses including cancer, heart and breathing problems,
thalassemia and multiple sclerosis (MS) because Iran is forbidden to use international payment
systems.38 There have been unnecessary deaths due to the shortages, including the death of
children.
In 2013, The Guardian reported that some 85,000 cancer patients require chemotherapy and
radiotherapy which are now scarce. The shortages of chemotherapy drugs and bloodclotting agents
for haemophiliacs, which are essential life saving drugs, have taken a huge blow. The sole reason for
these shortages is that Iran cannot participate in international trading and large western
corporations refuse to trade as they will be filed under the sanctions too. HIV/ AIDS sufferers have
also had their access restricted, and many key operations and medical interventions have had to be
suspended as the risks are too high in terms of the shortages of key chemical and medicines, which
are banned as they also have dual use in military applications39
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT Recent News
Irans has Finally Opened up About its Nuclear Program But Some are Still Not Happy
Source: http://www.teapartytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Iran-Nuke-Fix.jpg
For the past month, the six worlds powers and Iran have been in talks in negotiating a deal in terms
of Irans nuclear program and to end the sanctions in place and restore stability and security in an
already unstable Middle East. 40
Now one month on, as of the 20th February, during serious, workmanlike however conversational
atmosphere sessions, the Vienna summit has concluded on an agreed timetable and framework
solution to negotiating a comprehensive agreement to end the confrontation over Irans nuclear
program. However, it should be noted this is not a finalised deal to end the nuclear regime, neither
is it to alleviate immediately any of the sanctions. The conclusion signifies the start of cooperation
from the Iranian government to solve the controversy and implement more transparent access over
Irans current plans of action in terms of its nuclear program whether for civilian or military use, the
latter to be abolished and to never be reopened.
While details are still vague, the talks seem to promise a brighter future for world security and bring
peace and ultimately aid to a crippled Iranian society, where there economically and humanitarianly
the Iranian people have suffered the most.
The current plans of action are for experts to meet early in March and that the full delegations
would meet again on March 17, with the expectation that they would meet monthly.
Catherine Ashton, the European Unions foreign policy chief, said: We had three very productive
days during which we have identified all the issues we need to address to reach a comprehensive
and final agreement. There is a lot to do. It wont be easy, but we have made a good start.
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT In terms of the US, whose main concern is Irans nuclear military capability, have expressed that
their topics of discussion are on the table including uranium enrichment, Irans heavy-water reactor
project and its suspected nuclear military research and ballistic missile program.
Iranian officials have said publicly stated that although their entire nuclear program is open to
discussion, they will not divulge on their military structure, which the US and many other powers
wish to discuss, and that the dismantle of any nuclear program will not be possible as it disregards
Irans right to modernise its energy sector in terms of nuclear power.
As of the sanctions there has been decided a six-month deal to essentially freeze Irans program in
return for modest relief from sanctions and the release of some frozen assets, to which expires on
July 20th. The officials said they had planned meetings throughout the next four months, but wanted
to leave the last month free because talks tend to accelerate and intensify closer to deadlines.
However the US still has placed an oil embargo on Iran, until a finalised agreement in place.
Israelis PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, has stated openly, that the current course of action is a historic
mistake, and that it will not make the world a safer place. Israel has a vested interest in Irans
nuclear program, to which they believe that if Iran obtains nuclear arms it will aim to destroy Israel
and its people.
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT So should Iran be given nuclear power?
Iran Demands Acceptance into Nuclear Regime Should it be Granted
Source: http://www.commiesutra.com/wp-content/images/US%20Nuclear%20Tree.gif
As of current, there is no right or wrong answer. Many believe that like all other nations, a
country under the NPT and the supervision of the IAEA, can and should be encouraged to
devise a nuclear program for pure civilian use to generate cleaner, more sustainable energy
and help further develop research into nuclear power particular nuclear fusion. However
due to the nature, political instability and war torn area of the Middle East, by promoting
more nuclear hotspots, this only further encourages a nation to devise nuclear arms to
protect itself, as a deterrent, primarily but in the end, to potentially point at other nations to
gain supreme dominance in a region. Then there is the issue of nuclear security and whether
terrorist can obtain nuclear material more easily in regions where corruption and instability
makes such aims much easier to achieve.
Aside from this last issue, I believe that Iran should be giving the opportunity to pursue
nuclear power for civilian use only. The world needs a future where sustainable energy is
achieved and the reliance on finite fossil fuels has ended. Without a stable energy security
for the future, generations will struggle to find alternatives to meet their needs when either
our current major sources have depleted completely or are just too expensive and unviable
to the majority of consumers. As the world continues to grow, as economies evolve, as
people evolve, our demand for products and services will sky rocket and the only potential
way to supply such a demand is to find alternatives. Nuclear power offers a possible route
and with the current legislation and security that many countries employ enables this to be
a safe method to generate energy, and so long as nations continue to collaborate in terms
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT
of security and research there will be no end to how far we can spread nuclear energy
around the world, whether every town, city or even street has its own mini nuclear reactor.
However in terms of the NPT, this should be adapted to be more strict on the transparency
a nation must be towards the IAEA on its nuclear program for there to be immediate
sanctions if any of the policies within the NPT are disregarded. As with anything nuclear, the
security risk is very hard as the power of nuclear is devastating to all. And with the instability
currently in the world, terrorism is always a key issue that must be dealt with when nuclear
material is openly being used around the world.
So, yes, Iran should be given nuclear power to supply their nation with cleaner energy,
and being a nation built up on an oil economy, they are doing their own part in driving the
world to a cleaner more sustainable future for energy, its demand and security.
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT Summary
After years of international pressure, restrictions and sanctions, Iran has finally begun halting
some of the most controversial elements within its nuclear program under the historic deal struck
with world powers on 20th February 2014, land marking the start of the end a crisis that has lasted
more than a decade.
Source: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Images/college-social-sciences-only/government-society/research/Institute-for-conflict-cooperation-and-security/Iran-nuclear.jpg
Why was there a crisis?
It was believed/ suspected that Iran has not been totally honest about its nuclear program,
especially surrounding its military interested in building nuclear warheads. Iran covered this
controversy simply by stating that like all other nations it has the right to nuclear energy, which
under the NPT it signed does, and stresses that its nuclear program was intended for peaceful
purposes only.
What led to the crisis?
Iran's nuclear program came to public view in 2002, when an opposition group revealed secret
activity including the construction of a uranium enrichment plant at Natanz and a heavy-water
reactor at Arak. This sparked off the decade long debate and controversy, as the enriched uranium
can be used to make nuclear arms, with the spent plutonium fuel from a heavy-water reactor is a
reactant for a bomb.
Even though Iran and its government initially open itself up willinigly for inspections by the UN
nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the board were not able to
conclusively file Irans assertions that its nuclear program was exclusively for peaceful purposes and
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT that it had not sought to develop nuclear weapons. The security risk sparked the US and its
European allies to pressurise the government to halt all its enrichment of uranium. The uranium
must be enriched to become viable for nuclear fission reactors, civilian use, however if enriched to
above 90% it can easily be used to build nuclear arms, specifically for warheads on ballistic missiles
or bombs, both programs in their own right, which are some of the biggest in the Middle East in Iran.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11709428
Even though substantial pressure was placed on the Iranian government, the election of President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005 halted any progress in talks, as the PM rejected any curbs towards
the nuclear program. Due to the now reluctance to comply with the IAEA and NPT, the board
referred Iran to the UN Security Council for failing to comply.
Since the referral there has been six adopted resolutions established by the UN Council which all
require Iran to stop enriching uranium, with some imposing sanctions.
As verbal pressure was not working in turning the Iranian government towards cooperation, in the
year 2012, the US and EU began imposing additional sanctions on Iranian oil exports and banks,
crippling Iran's economy, forcing many to question whether the governments defiance was worth
the risk to the countrys people.
Despite that, Iran continued to enrich uranium. In 2009, it disclosed the existence of a new
underground facility at Fordo, further causing rifts on the security issues surrounding nuclear power
in the region.
As of the last two years, there have been multiple rounds of negotiations between Iran and the so-
called P5+1 - the five UN Security Council permanent members, the US, UK, France, China, Russia
(which are all the only authorised nuclear weapons nations) and Germany. However with the
election of Hassan Rouhani as president and on 24th November 2013, negotiators reached an interim
deal after intensive talks in Geneva during the last month, concluded on the 20th February 2014.
Irans Nuclear Sites
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT What has Iran agreed to do?
Representatives of Iran, the EU and P5+1 in Geneva (24th November 2013)
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11709428
Summary of Deal: Six Month Contingency Plan
IAEA to confirm that Iran was halting production of near-20% enriched uranium
starting to dilute half of the near-20% enriched uranium stockpile in hexafluoride form
and converting the rest to oxide form not suitable for further enrichment. Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/23/fact-sheet-first-step-understandings-regarding-islamic-republic-iran-s-n
The IAEA will verify through daily inspections, over the next 6 months, that Iran is not enriching
uranium. The cap is limited to only half of those installed centrifuges at Natanz and three-quarters of
installed at Fordo. The main reason to limiting centrifuge enrichment is to make it harder for any
military interest in using the material for weapons.
Other commitments include
Not to commission or fuel the Arak reactor
Halt the production and additional testing of fuel for the facility
Not to install any additional reactor components there; not to transfer fuel and heavy water
to the reactor site
Not to construct a reprocessing facility, preventing the separation of plutonium from spent
fuel.
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT What have the P5+1 and EU committed to do?
The P5+1 and EU will provide "limited, temporary, and targeted relief to Iran". In an estimate by the
White House Press Office, the relief will total around between US$6-7bn. However, to still key Iran in
check, most of the sanctions regime, including the measured targeting of Iran's key oil, banking, and
financial sectors will remain in place.
From the first day of implementation, the P5+1 and EU committed to suspend sanctions on Iran's;
Petrochemical exports
Imports of goods and services for its automotive manufacturing sector
Import and export of gold and other precious metals
Licensing the supply of spare parts and services for Iran's civil aviation sector
Help establish a financial channel to support humanitarian trade
Facilitate payments for UN obligation intuition payments for students studying abroad
Modify EU procedures for the authorisation of financial transactions.
The P5+1 and EU have also committed to facilitate Iran's access to $4.2bn in restricted funds on a set
schedule at regular intervals throughout the six-month period.
What was the reaction to the deal?
To the majority, the interim deal is a welcomed sight to the end of a decade long dispute and
hopeful restoration of political and security stability to the region.
President Barack Obama said the interim deal would "cut off Iran's most likely paths to a [nuclear]
bomb".
President Rouhani also welcomed the deal, saying "No matter what interpretations are given, Iran's
right to enrichment has been recognised".
The deal however has been sharply criticised by Israel, which sees Iran's nuclear programme as a
potential threat to its existence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was "a historic mistake"
and warned that Israel was "not bound" by it. Israel neither confirms nor denies it has nuclear
weapons - a policy known as "nuclear ambiguity" - though it is widely believed to possess up to 400
warheads.
Source: http://truthaholics.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/iran20israel20nuclear.jpg
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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Irans Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT References
1) http://www.iranaffairs.com/iran_affairs/2006/05/blasts_from_the.html (DOA 27/01/14)
2) http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/npt/text/npt3.htm (DOA 28/01/14)
3) http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL34544.pdf (page 1) (DOA 28/01/14)
4) http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/18/us-nuclear-iran-iaea-idUSTRE7AG0RP20111118 (DOA 31/01/14)
5) http://www.isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/IAEA_Iran_8Nov2011.pdf (pages 4-12) (DOA 1/02/14)
6) http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/20/us-iran-nuclear-iaea-idUSTRE7AJ0DZ20111120 (DOA 2/02/14)
7) http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/NPT.shtml (DOA 2/02/14)
8) http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2004_11/BookReview (DOA 3/02/14)
9) http://www.iaea.org/About/statute.html (DOA 3/03/14)
10) For more information of the MDGs see http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ (DOA 4/03/14)
11) http://www.dw.de/eu-and-iran-avert-nuclear-deadlock/a-1595892-1 (DOA 5/03/14)
12) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4709490.stm (DOA 5/03/14)
13) http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2007/gov2007-58.pdf (DOA 7/03/14)
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16) http://blogs.state.gov/stories/2010/04/08/new-start-treaty-and-protocol (see end) (DOA 10/03/14)
17) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1929 (DOA 11/03/14)
18) http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31795.htm (see EU Sanctions) (DOA 20/02/14)
19) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-12/iran-won-t-yield-to-pressure-foreign-minister-says-nuclear-news-
awaited.html (DOA 22/02/14)
20) http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/19/us-iran-oil-europe-idUSTRE81I07W20120219 (DOA 22/02/14)
21) http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-s-eye-on-iran/latest-news-on-iran/eu-sanctions-bring-iran-s-lpg-exports-to-near-
halt.premium-1.473527?localLinksEnabled=false(DOA 22/02/14)
22) http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/07/iran-sanctions-trade-idUSL4E8D71VP20120207
23) http://dfat.gov.au/sanctions/(DOA 22/02/14)
24) http://www.international.gc.ca/sanctions/iran.aspx (DOA 22/02/14)
25) http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/government-and-policy/india-imposes-more-sanctions-on-
iran/article1591852.ece (DOA 22/02/14)
26) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/India-wont-cut-Iranian-oil-imports-despite-US-EU-sanctions-
Pranab-Mukherjee/articleshow/11682476.cms (DOA 22/02/14)
27) http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2880316.ece (DOA 22/02/14)
28) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Govt-wants-more-exports-to-
Iran/articleshow/11831613.cms (DOA 22/02/14)
29) http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4075924,00.html (DOA 22/02/14)
30) http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Govt-expands-economic-sanctions-against-Iran (DOA 22/02/14)
31) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7341ec48-9deb-11e0-958b-00144feabdc0.html (DOA 23/02/14)
32) http://www.sanctionlaw.com/2011/12/14/ofac-targets-two-iranians-for-sdn-designation/ (DOA 23/02/14)
33) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/07/world/middleeast/white-house-moves-to-tighten-sanctions-on-iran.html?_r=0
(DOA 23/02/14)
34) http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/156527.pdf (DOA 23/02/14)
35) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4735eb0e-cc79-11e2-bb22-00144feab7de.html (DOA 23/02/14)
36) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/be2d119e-5cd2-11e3-81bd-00144feabdc0.html (DOA 23/02/14)
37) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/sanctions-cost-iran-60-billion-in-oil-investments-burns-says.html (DOA
23/02/14)
38) http://payvand.com/news/12/may/1062.html (DOA 23/02/14)
39) http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/13/iran-lifesaving-drugs-international-sanctions (DOA 23/02/14)
40) http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/middleeast/iran.html (DOA 23/02/14)
Front Page Image: Source: http://capitolcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Iranian-windmill.jpg (DOA 23/02/14)