Implications of Iran's Uranium Enrichment Programme for Regional Security

Abstract

The UN Security Council has passed a series of resolutions directing Iran to cease uranium enrichment. The resolutions are designed to bring pressure to bear on Iran in order to persuade the country's authorities to demonstrate full compliance with the fundamental convention on nuclear science and nuclear armaments, the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). The success or failure of UN efforts to dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear technologies outside the framework of international oversight holds significant implications for international security. The success or failure of these efforts holds profound implications for security within the Middle Eastern and Eurasian regions. There are differences of opinion on how to most effectively and equitably bring Iran into compliance with international conventions. International attention is increasingly focused on three policy postures with respect to Iran's enrichment programme: postpone, prevent or prepare for the ramifications of a nuclear Iran. This paper weighs the implications of these policy alternatives, describing the effects of Iran's uranium enrichment programme on security throughout the Central Asian region.

Notes

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