Iranian Nuclear Program

Seth Prisament Alex Wilson

History of Iranian Nuclear Program • Nuclear program launched in 1950’s with the HELP of the

U.S- Atoms for peace- supplied equipment and information to schools,

hospitals, and research institutions throughout the world. This was when there was a US friendly dictator of Iran The US wanted Iran to become a nuclear country

• In 1979, there was the Iranian revolution The Shah was thrown out of power and replaced by a much more

religious, anti- Western ruler; Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini US cut off relationship with Iran, which included help with Nuclear

program Iran’s nuclear reactors shut down because of no enriched Uranium

History of Iranian Nuclear Program• In 1981, Iran's nuclear

program started back up again with the help of Argentina. (Supplied needed enriched Uranium)

• From the 1990’s, Russia has been helping Iran with it’s nuclear program.

• The US has continually tried to stop developed countries from aiding Iran’s nuclear program

The issue • Iran’s nuclear program is

one of the most important issues confronting the international community today.

• The Iranian government says that it has a right to have PEACEFUL nuclear capabilities.... Many other countries do.

BUT• The US is worried, based on

evidence, that Iran’s nuclear program will not be used for peaceful means, but for nuclear weapons.

• In other words, Iran saying that its nuclear program is peaceful is just a cover for their real goal which is to make weapons of mass destruction.

• Iran is located on top of one of the biggest oil reserves in the world…. (hmmm)

The main questions

• What sort of nuclear program Iran gets to have? (Peaceful or not?)

• Should they have any at all? • What happens if it defies the world's

demands? Military action or diplomacy… or both??Is there a red line? ________

Options with Iran

• Bomb Iranian nuclear sites

• Not really- would not set Iran far back in its program, and would probably enrage the government.

Options with Iran

• Full-on invasion to topple the government.

• Nope-Not feasible after Iraq

Options with Iran

• Force Iran to surrender and simply give up its nuclear program.

• Not quite- Very unlikely- sanctions have not been very effective

Options with Iran

• Negotiating a deal directly with Tehran

• Maybe…Have been cheated before by Iran

Currently

• Obama has recently made a deal with Iran that would set stringent limits on Iran's nuclear activities; in exchange, the country will get about $6 billion in unfrozen foreign assets and relief from sanctions.

• Critics say that nothing short of a complete halt of their nuclear program should be excepted.

• Others say this type of diplomacy is the only option.

Interest groups: AIPAC • American Israeli Public Affairs Committee • Make sure Israel is safe by securing the essential support from the US• AIPAC has similar ideas towards Iran’s nuclear program as Israel does,

therefore no nuclear capabilities for Iran. • Iranian officials have continually said provocative comments about

Israel such as calling it a “cancer that needs to be removed”• Iran is known to sponsor terrorists groups such as Hezbollah.• Iran could easily give their nuclear bombs to these terrorists groups

who could then use them against Israel.

• AIPAC is pushing congress to not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

Political parties: Democrats • Both Democrats and Republicans

more or less agree on a non- nuclear Iran; or at least, not have nuclear weapons.

• However, the Obama administration has done everything it can to avoid military action against Iran

• They have put in tough sanctions in the past, however, with the new deal, the administration is going to let up on some.

• Diplomacy has been their main tool.• While Obama has repeatedly said

that military action is an option, he is clearly reluctant to use it.

Political parties: Republicans • The republican party has

made it clear it stands behind a military strike

• Many of the parties leaders have said that a red line needs to be drawn, and if Iran crossed that line, its time for military action.

• Party leaders have said that they want no deal short of a complete dismantlement of the nuclear plants in Iran.