Iran
The Iranian nuclear facility in Bushehr. AP photo.
RECENT ANALYSIS
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Dec 13, 2011
GOP Presidential Candidates on National Security Issues
The U.S. presidential election is less than a year away and the media is currently filled with news regarding the Republican presidential candidates. We have put together a foreign policy profile for each Republican candidate in the race. We will of course do our best to keep it updated. -
Nov 15, 2011
Before we Bomb Iran, Let's Have a Serious Conversation
Brig. General John H Johns wrote "Before we Bomb Iran, Let's Have a Serious Conversation," which was featured on the New York Times blog 'Campaign Stops' saying, "America ought not consider another war in the Middle East without a very serious discussion of the consequences." November 14, 2011. -
Nov 8, 2011
New Details on Iran Don’t Change the Game
"A new report on Iran’s nuclear capability from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) does not contain any startling new developments, but already it has some conservatives in the U.S. and Israel beating the drums for war," says Laicie Olson, Senior Policy Analyst - See more articles »
CENTER EXPERT
Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (USA, ret.)
Chairman
202-546-0795 ext. 2111
rgard AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
CENTER EXPERT
Laicie Olson
Senior Policy Analyst
202-546-0795 ext 2105
lolson AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
Click here to read "Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration"
For the past several years, Iran has been under intense scrutiny from the international community over its nuclear program. While Iran's intentions are unclear, its failure to declare all nuclear facilities and materials in a timely fashion has led to increased concerns that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons.
Most Iran specialists, including nationally recognized experts at the Center, believe that the main factor driving Iran's interest in nuclear technology - be it civilian or military - is national pride. Unfortunately, United States policy has been to publicly threaten and insult Iran while taking provocative actions such as adopting a policy of regime change, attempting to increase unilateral sanctions, deploying additional military assets in the region, and arresting Iranian representatives in Iraq. Such policies are counterproductive, strengthening Iranian hardliners and weakening the position of anti-nuclear and pro-democracy elements in Iran.
Iran does not pose an imminent threat to the U.S. and is unlikely to do so for years, perhaps as long as a decade according to American intelligence estimates. There are numerous challenges - including mastering the nuclear fuel cycle - on the road to developing a nuclear weapon. Building a nuclear warhead and placing it on a suitable delivery vehicle, a process sometimes referred to as "weaponization," is a difficult endeavor requiring technologies Iran has not even started working on.
There is ample time for the United States, Iran, the IAEA, and other interested parties to resolve the nuclear dispute through diplomacy. Military force should not be contemplated at this time and should be considered in the future only if it meets basic requirements - including support from Congress and the U.N. - and is judged to be a net advantage to U.S. interests.
ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS
Nov 8, 2011 New Details on Iran Don’t Change the Game
May 13, 2011 The Game is Changing in Iran
Nov 1, 2010 Patience with Iran is Needed for a Negotiated Solution
Aug 13, 2010 Factsheet: Current Status of Iran's Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Programs
Jan 7, 2010 Iran Sanctions Are Counterproductive
Oct 27, 2009 A Shift in Focus: Changes in the Missile Defense Program
Sep 17, 2009 President Obama's Revamped European Missile Defense Offers Better Security
Jun 23, 2009 U.S. Foreign Policy toward Iran in the Obama Era
Jul 7, 2008 Is Iran Currently an Existential Threat to the United States? A Side-By-Side Comparison of Military Capabilities
Jun 9, 2008 Prominent Calls for Diplomacy with Iran
Apr 11, 2007 Risky Business: Why Attacking Iran Is a Bad Idea
ADDITIONAL READING
- BBC News Timeline: Iran
A chronology of key events in Iran. - Position Statement on the Iranian Nuclear Issue
A detailed explanation of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation's position on the Iranian nuclear program. - Congressional Research Service, "Iran's Nuclear Program: Status," updated December 29, 2009.
- Congressional Research Service, "Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses," updated August 20, 2010.
- Institute for Science and International Security, IAEA Reports and Diplomatic Communication
An updated collection of documents, 2006-Present.