| Why should Iran not be trusted with Nuclear power, | | | | that reinforce the idea that Iran's sovereignty or |
| which may lead to nuclear weapons? Is Iran breaking | | | | rights are being challenged, however, are likely to |
| the NPT in any way? | | | | backfire. The result of such measures would likely be |
| The U.S. Government defines its areas of | | | | increased support for the unpopular regime in Tehran. |
| objectionable Iranian behavior as the following: | | | | The only possible exception might be targeting |
| --Iranian efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and | | | | leaders in Tehran for direct penalties such as travel |
| other weapons of mass destruction; | | | | bans, economic sanctions, including money and |
| --Its support for and involvement in international | | | | property outside of Tehran, and even restrictions on |
| terrorism; | | | | the ability of their family members to travel or attend |
| --Its support for violent opposition to the Middle East | | | | western schools. These might have some value in |
| peace process; and | | | | making the decision makers in Iran feel the affects |
| --Its dismal human rights record. | | | | of their actions, but are not necessarily enough to |
| In other words, Iran has not demonstrated itself to | | | | convince them to change their nuclear behavior. |
| be a responsible international player, and certainly not | | | | In the end, however, the United States and its allies |
| one to be trusted with nuclear power. | | | | must also think of what alternatives they are willing |
| On the second point: "In some ways, the challenge | | | | to provide to Tehran should it decide to change |
| Iran poses to the nuclear nonproliferation regime is | | | | course. While not a democracy, Iran is still a highly |
| even more daunting. Although the evidence - including | | | | political country and any viable solution to the |
| Iran almost 20 years of hiding all its nuclear fuel cycle | | | | standoff must include some way for decision makers |
| efforts - clearly indicates a weapons program, it | | | | in Iran to justify their decision publicly. To be sure, it |
| continues to argue that its program is exclusively for | | | | would be preferred if the United States could find a |
| peaceful purposes. On September 24, the IAEA | | | | solution that would both end Iran's nuclear ambitions |
| Board of Governors found that Iran violated its | | | | and weaken the regime, but such a compromise is |
| safeguards obligations. This finding requires a report | | | | unlikely to emerge unless the international landscape |
| to the United Nations Security Council. The Security | | | | changes significantly. Offering Iran the ability to |
| Council will not replace the IAEA effort, but reinforce | | | | benefit from other forms of nuclear technology |
| it - for example, by calling on Iran to cooperate with | | | | including the possible sale by Russia of additional |
| the IAEA, and giving the IAEA new, needed | | | | nuclear power plants might end up being an important |
| authority to investigate all Iranian weaponization | | | | part of any political compromise. |
| efforts. We continue to work with other IAEA Board | | | | On the military side, the chances of a U.S. strike |
| members on the timing and content of the report of | | | | against Iran soon are probably unlikely. Reasons |
| Iranian noncompliance to the Security Council. We | | | | include the fact that the U.S. military is already |
| also continue to support the efforts of the United | | | | stretched thin, the virtual certitude that much of |
| Kingdom, France and Germany - the EU-3 - to bring | | | | Iran's secret nuclear program would not be detected |
| Iran back to the negotiations." | | | | and destroyed, the likelihood that a military attack |
| The operative wording here is: "The IAEA Board of | | | | would turn a pro-U.S. Iranian population against us and |
| Governors found that Iran violated its safeguards | | | | toward the regime, and the negative reactions likely |
| obligations." Certainly, the evidence suggests Tehran | | | | to come from the international community. |
| is in violation of the NPT. | | | | Experts are now talking about "containment" of Iran |
| Will the US Military do something about the nuclear | | | | along the lines of our containment of the Soviet |
| weapon in Iran? The following selected commentary | | | | Union during the Cold War. While not ideal and also |
| from the Center for International and Strategic | | | | protracted, such a policy may be our only recourse |
| Studies: Diplomatic or economic penalties by the U.N. | | | | for the foreseeable future. |