Iran
The Iranian nuclear facility in Bushehr near Tehran. AP photo.
CENTER BLOG, YOUTUBE, PODCASTS
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RECENT ANALYSIS
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Oct 20, 2008
Time To Rethink Missile Defense
Despite the Bush administration's investment of an estimated $60 billion since 2001, U.S. national missile defense continues to be an unnecessary and counterproductive enterprise. In this commentary published in Defense News on October 20, Lt. Gen. Robert Gard and Kingston Reif outline three essential changes that could set missile defense back on a productive course. -
Oct 17, 2008
Don’t Be Fooled By Calls for New Nukes
Over the past several months, a handful of conservative security analysts have begun to argue for upgrading the current U.S. nuclear arsenal. In this commentary, Executive Director John Isaacs dismantles the argument for bolstering America’s “nuclear deterrent,” which of course is a euphemism for building more new nuclear weapons. -
Oct 17, 2008
Obama vs. McCain: A Side-By-Side Comparison on Arms Control
This updated resource provides a side-by-side comparison of Barack Obama and John McCain on 15 key arms control issues. - See more articles »
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.
FY2009 DEFENSE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Sep 25, 2008 Analysis of FY2009 Defense Appropriations in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (CR) for FY2009
Sep 24, 2008 Analysis of House-Senate Agreement on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S.3001)
Apr 22, 2008 An Exercise in Futility: State Department 'Democracy Promotion' Funding for Iran
Feb 4, 2008 The FY 2009 Pentagon (DOD) Defense Budget Spending Request
ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS
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 30, 2008 Time for a Diplomatic Surge with Iran
Apr 22, 2008 American-Iranian Relations: A Code of Conduct and Guide for Action
Apr 22, 2008 An Exercise in Futility: State Department 'Democracy Promotion' Funding for Iran
Apr 11, 2007 Risky Business: Why Attacking Iran Is a Bad Idea
ADDITIONAL READING
- Iran Nuclear Timeline
An overview of Iran's nuclear program from its inception in 1957 until the present day. Many entries contain links to source documents from the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. - Divestment: The Wrong Answer for Dealing with Iran
This resource outlines some of the main reasons why divestment is not an effective long-term U.S. strategy for dealing with Iran's nuclear program. - Position Statement on the Iranian Nuclear Issue
Read 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 June 23, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses," updated May 28, 2008.