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Politics - Nuclear in Iran Iran’s Nuclear Program, the IAEA and the NPT Nuclear in Iran The Balance of Nuclear Driven for Peace or War Jack Cordrey

Nuclear Balance in Iran

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Reviews the politics of nuclear power in Iran and the sanctions Iran has encountered.

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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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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)

    14) http://www.un.org/en/conf/npt/2005/npttreaty.html (DOA 8/03/14)

    15) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/washington/06intel.html?_r=0 (DOA 9/03/14)

    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)

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    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)

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    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)