Iran must be sanctioned to stop its nuclear research. Nuclear technologies are dangerous: not only because of risks like radiation but also because it is not too far of a leap from nuclear power to nuclear weapons. In a world of tension and continued holy wars, allowing this development is extremely ill advised. Iran says it intends only to develop nuclear power. However, when the world asks the Iranian government to be open about its progress, it has yet to respond. The Iranian government has also been asked to allow the uranium it has to be enriched in another country to ensure it is enriched for power needs and not weapon needs. It has refused. This further concerns the world that Iran is not being truthful about its endeavors. Sanctions are needed to bring this country in line.
Our current plan of action does appear to be sanctions. President Barack Obama has recently stated that he is discussing “a package of potential steps” to dissuade the Iranians from moving forward on its nuclear program (Burns). Recently, President Obama has asked Iranian leaders to allow Germany to enrich its uranium for nuclear power. They have refused. Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, believes, "You may have a political system [in Tehran] that is so fractured, that is so at each other's throat, that they are incapable of making a decision of this magnitude" (Burns). Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has said, “It is now well over a year since the agency was last able to engage Iran in discussions about these outstanding issues ... We have effectively reached a dead end, unless Iran engages fully with us” (Sanger and Broad). This has resulted in a censure against Iran demanding immediate freeze of operations on its once secret uranium enrichment plant.
Taking into account the enrichment plant that Iran was trying to keep secret and its lack of cooperation when it comes to the enrichment of its uranium, it is hard to mistake the intent. Perhaps Trita Parsi is right in saying that the country is just so broken. It seems as if they themselves do not know what is truly happening. In either case the country’s further development of nuclear technologies is a dangerous event. If the Iranian government is keeping it a secret intentionally then we know it has some plan to attack with these weapons of mass destruction. Even worse, if it is broken enough to not know what is happening, then who is pushing this development? These weapons would fall into the hands of whoever is responsible for these actions. This means we would know nothing of their intentions or who they are. With terrorist attacks in mind this idea is even more a concern.
What we need is to have Iran come clean on what it is doing or admit it needs help. If Iran cannot come forward and declare it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons and follow it with actions that support this statement, we need to impose sanctions on the country until they comply. The world is not asking them to not use nuclear power for civilian use. Russia currently has a contract to build a nuclear power plant in Iran which would not come online until the end of the year. Russia recently announced that plant will not come on line as planned. However, they do state the recent developments are not part of the delay (Schwirtz). Iran’s lack of cooperation will continue to cause delays on its power front. Many countries have made the message clear that the proliferation of nuclear weapons just increases the risk of a nuclear war. In 1995 the NPT Review and Extension Conference in New York decided to extend the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons indefinitely and without conditions extended. This treaty was signed by nearly every country in the world with the exception of three, India, Israel, and Pakistan. Iran has signed the treaty but has been found breaking the agreement (IAEA). It should also be noted the North Korea had signed but removed itself from the treaty effective on April 10, 2003, making North Korea the first state ever to withdraw from the treaty (Chaffee).
In a world where we know the risks of continuing to pollute our planet, why do we not start a new reform? We should have no more nuclear processing for power or weapons. The production of nuclear power produces nuclear waste that must be disposed of. Current methods of disposal are to box up the waste and burry it. This is a short sighted solution to power. Choosing a form of power like solar that is 100% renewable and produces no byproducts that are not recyclable is a much smarter solution to the world’s energy needs.
If countries like Iran need power why not offer solar as an option? Give them incentives to use solar or other green sources. If their intentions are for power and not weaponry then the added incentives we offer could not only allow for greener energy production worldwide but also help eliminate tensions over nuclear proliferation. What incentives could the world offer? One, we can lift any sanction imposed due to the nuclear concerns once transparency has been established that the nuclear issue is off the table and they are moving toward greener solutions. Also, we could offer to share technology advancements to ensure these still developing countries are using the current standard and getting the most effective energy.
It has been said that the world has lost patience with Iran and is demanding it come forward, without delay, and comply. Why not assist a country obviously in need of assistance make a smarter decision about its energy choice and at the same time help eliminate worldwide concern about any ulterior motives that may be currently perceived. Not only should we offer these changes but as a country we should also accept this policy of moving away from nuclear energy and other fossil fuel energy sources and start thinking about our long- term goals as a people. Why not strive for a clean sustainable society with ideals we live and share? We should lead by example and help bring peace and green energy to the world.
Chaffee, Devon. “North Korea’s Withdrawal from Nonproliferation Treaty Official” Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, April 2003. Web 29 Nov. 2009. http://www.wagingpeace.org/articles/2003/04/10_chaffee_korea-npt.htm .
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran” International Atomic Energy Agency, Nov. 2003. Web 29 Nov. 2009. http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2003/gov2003-75.pdf .
Sanger, David E. and William J. Broad. “U.N. Nuclear Agency Calls Iran Inquiry ‘Dead End’” New York Times, 26 Nov. 2009. Web 29 Nov. 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/27/world/middleeast/27nuke.html?scp=4&sq=iran%20watchdog&st=cse .
Schwirtz, Michael. “Nuclear Plant Built for Iran Is Delayed, Russia Says” New York Times, 16 Nov. 2009. Web 29 Nov. 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/world/europe/17russia.html .
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