Iran's nuclear problem (Guest commentary by Babak Khorram) - The Commentary by Joseph Planta (thecommentary.ca)

Friday, 19 August 2005

Iran's nuclear problem

By Babak Khorram, for The Commentary

Since its inception in 1968, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has helped restrict the possession of nuclear weapons. Non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to peaceful use of nuclear technology are the three tenets of the NPT. The majority of the world's sovereign states are signatories to the NPT with the notable exception of two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, and one putative nuclear power, Israel. Another putative nuclear power, North Korea, signed the treaty but withdrew its signature in 2003. India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea are not the only problems plaguing the NPT. The biggest problem plaguing the NPT, if one wishes to believe the headlines, is Iran.

Iran's nuclear program began in the 1960s with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) by the late Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Shah, who referred to oil as 'noble fuel,' wanted to store Iran's oil for export. So, with the help of the United States and West Germany, Iran planned to construct nuclear power stations across the country. After the Islamic Revolution, however, it ceased construction on these stations. The reason for this was three-fold. First, the mullahs, who took power from the Shah, were not interested in following in their predecessor's footsteps. Second, Iran was facing increased hostility from the United States, the Soviet Union, and Western European nations. Last, Iran was involved in a long and indecisive war with its neighbour to the west, Iraq.

In 1995, Iran signed a contract with Russia to resume work on several nuclear power stations, namely the Bushehr nuclear power station in Southwest Iran. Since then Iran's nuclear program has come under the scrutiny of the United States and other nations that assert that Iran's ultimate goal is to develop nuclear weapons. The United States argues that Iran's vast oil and natural gas reserves exceed its energy requirements. Since Iran does not need nuclear energy, its ultimate goal must be the development of nuclear weapons. Iran's nuclear program has made the United States and Israel very nervous. Politicians in both these countries argue that Iran must be stopped, preferably by diplomatic means but by force if necessary.

The problem, however, is that the United States and Israel do not have unequivocal evidence that Iran's nuclear program is part of a covert effort to pursue a nuclear weapons program. It is true that Iran has an abundance of oil and natural gas but both these resources are finite. When these resources are depleted, Iran will need an alternative energy source. Not to mention, Iran's major exports will be carpets and pistachios--though that is a whole other problem. Also, the NPT states that all nations have the right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology. The United States has ostracised Russia for assisting Iran's nuclear program. The hypocrisy is that the United States has been assisting India's civilian nuclear program. India (along with neighbour Pakistan) has not ratified the NPT and possesses nuclear weapons, which it has tested.

In an ideal world, no nation would possess nuclear weapons. After all, they are among the most dangerous weapons known to humankind and are meant to target civilian populations in the most deadly and horrific way possible, as they were in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But certain nations do possess nuclear weapons.

The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United Stated of America states that the people have a right to 'keep and bear arms.' The Second Amendment recognises the right of all Americans to keep and bare arms not specific or special Americans. This attitude has not evolved on the world stage, where according to some only certain nations may possess certain weapons. The United States (along with the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) has set about policing those nations that may or may not possess nuclear weapons. Ironically, the only nation to have used nuclear weapons persists to pressure the nation with the most war-ridden history. Iran, during its tumultuous history, has been invaded more times than any nation, from Alexander the Great to the Arab Caliphates to Genghis Khan. In its current state of affairs, Iran lies in the middle of a geopolitical mess.

Nonetheless, Iran has clearly stated that it will not pursue nuclear weapons. As a measure of good faith, the United States should allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to continue its inspections and conclusively prove whether Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. A belligerent and antagonistic attitude will limit Iran's resolve to allow ongoing inspections and lead to an escalation in hostilities between Iran and the United States.

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Questions and comments may be sent to: bkhorram@thecommentary.ca