For the past 20 years, Iran has attempted to acquire the
resources needed to build nuclear weapons with resistance from all over the
world. Over these years, the capital of Iran, Tehran, has gained the knowledge
and technology needed for building these deadly weapons. This has included
things like engaging in uranium enrichment despite the fact that Tehran has
said that their nuclear programs have nothing to do with violence or wartime
activities. They have stated that their efforts are "legal and authorized by becoming members of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty" (Iran Watch). Iran has been proven guilty for doing everything in their power to build certain things needed for one thing only: nuclear weapons. Because Iran has made significant efforts to increase their nuclear
power, it has become one of the most challenging issues in today’s world. The
United States and Israel have been especially involved in the campaign to stop
Iran from producing nuclear weapons resulting in serious tensions between the
three countries. The West has tried in many ways like imposing sanctions on the country although these sanctions have not done much to change anything about Iran's nuclear interest. The United States has come forth saying that Iran has no need for nuclear energy and that their energy program already in place is a disguise for creating nuclear weapons. Both the Bush Administration and the Obama Administration have taken the stance that they will not tolerate the construction of a nuclear weapon from Iran, once again causing anger from the Iranians.
Iran's nuclear program began in the 1950's when they built a civilian nuclear program in which the United States supported by providing a nuclear reactor to the country. Later in the 1960's, Iran agreed to become part of the 51 states who signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty with regards to never becoming a nuclear state. The change of heart with regards to Iran restarting their nuclear program was because of the Iranian-Iraqi war in the 1980's. Leader at the time, Ayatollah Khomeini, began to secretly start a new nuclear program in hopes that they could stop the Iraqi offense of Saddam Hussein into their country. In the mid-90's, Iran and Russia agree to sign a 800 million dollar contract to build two light water reactors within a few years. The United States was making serious attempts to stop countries around the world from selling any products containing nuclear knowledge to Iran. Because of this signed contract, US Congress imposed sanctions on Iran that prevents foreign investment of over $20 million in Iran's energy program. In 2002, secret plans were discovered that stated Iran's energy program included a water plant at Arak and an uranium enrichment plant at Natanz. The United States once again accused Iran of building weapons of mass destruction but Iran continued to sign contracts with Russia to finish their plant. In 2006, the U.S., China, France, Germany, Russia, and the UK came up with incentives for Iran to stop its uranium program that the International Atomic Energy Agency made legally binding for the first time. In the following years, the United States made it clear to the world that Iran now had a very real capability to produce dangerous nuclear weapons with their refusal to halt their enrichment program. Hassan Rouhani became president in 2013 and told the United States that they were going to maintain their nuclear energy program but that they would share more information on what exactly they were doing with it. Finally in 2014, the United States decided to lift sanctions on Iran resulting in Iran agreeing to decrease all uranium enrichment programs and stop the work on the water reactor in Arak. It remains to be seen whether this will actually happen or not.
The nuclear program presents a serious issue for the world. It begs to consider the consequences every country could have if dangerous nuclear weapons were to become an actual reality in today's world. It presents questions for all governments to consider on what the best plan of action is to prevent things like this from happening again. Nuclear programs are a matter of national security and the safety of civilians is compromised if and when something like this is actually manufactured. Tensions between the United States and Iran will continue to build and create political turmoil if both countries continue to react to one another in such extreme ways. These nuclear weapon discussions have severe consequences on our every day lives. They create fear, anxiety and distrust within a nation. If we aren't made aware of what is going on with regards to live destruction weapons, we are setting ourselves up for naivety.
Sources:
The New York Times. (2014). Timeline on Iran's Nuclear Program. Retrieved February 20, 2014 from http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/20/world/middleeast/Iran-nuclear-timeline.html?ref=nuclearprogram#/#time243_7198
Arms Control Association. (2012). Timeline of Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran. Retrieved February 20, 2014 from http://www.armscontrol.org/factsheet/Timeline-of-Nuclear-Diplomacy-With-Iran
Washington Institute. (2013). Policy Notes: Iran Nuclear Talks, A Brief History and the Road Ahead. Retrieved February 19, 2014 from http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PolicyNote15a_Singh.pdf
Iran Watch. (2012). A History of Iran's Nuclear Program. Retrieved February 19, 2014 from http://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/weapon-program-background-report/history-irans-nuclear-program
NPR: Parallels. (2014). Iran Nuclear Talks: What To Expect Next. Retrieved February 19, 2014 from http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/02/04/271538619/irans-nuclear-talks-what-should-we-expect-next
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