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Iran's nuclear program has become a highly controversial issue in international politics since the August 2002 unveiling of the secretly built uranium enrichment facility in Natanz and the heavy-water production plant in Arak. American officials nnd experts assert that Iran has secret plans to use its nuclear capabilities to develop nuclear weapons. Iranian officials, however, deny such allegations and claim that they will use their capabilities exclusively for peaceful purposes. Notwithstanding the official rhetoric, some Iranian scholars, intellectuals, and even bureaucrats argue that Iran should seriously consider developing nuclear weapons given that they have the necessary skills and capabilities as well as the reasons to do so. The clerical leaders have supposedly not yet decided about weaponizing Iran's nuclear capability. However, the ever-increasing size of Iran's existing nuclear infrastructure, and the achievements of Iranian scientists, who claim to have developed indigenous capabilities, may very well elevate Iran to the status of a nuclear power, even a de facto nuclear-weapons state. The prevailing view among Iranian bureaucrats and scientists who have been for many years involved in nuclear projects and others who are well entrenched in the state structure is that Iran should definitely have nuclear technology and even weapons. Those who are seemingly against nuclear weapons development maintain that the the international situation is not suitable, and they suggest waiting. Statements made by Americans and Israelis about a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities strengthen the views of those who endorse nuclear weapons development; however, weaponization of Iran's capabilities will depend on the political calculus of the leadership.1 Against this background, the aim of this article is to discuss in detail the implications of Iran's nuclear capabilities for regional and international peace and stability. Let us begin with a reminder of the crisis that erupted in 2002 between Iran and the United States (US) over Iran's nuclear capabilities and intentions. An overview of the crisis, which also involved the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Union (EU) will highlight the positions of these actors. Iran's desire to develop a full-fledged nuclear fuel cycle is not new. Since the mid-1970s, under the leadership of both the Shah and the mullahs, Iran has been developing considerable technological infrastructure and accumulating valuable scientific expertise in the nuclear field. Therefore, Iran's strategic relations with the US and the leading European nations such as France and (West) Germany in the 1960s and 1970s will be discussed with special emphasis on their nuclear cooperation. The achievements of Iran in the nuclear field under the Shah came to a temporary halt with the dramatic changes of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Despite the deterioration of its relations with the West after the Islamic Revolution, Iran soon resumed its efforts to finish its nuclear projects, but there were serious difficulties because of the US policy of denying the transfer of nuclear technology and material. Russia and China entered the picture and helped Iran develop significant nuclear capabilities.2 This article will examine closely the ups and downs in Iran's efforts to advance in the field both technologically and scientifically. Building on this, a discussion will follow about whether Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons with the capabilities that it has now or will acquire in the future. To have a better idea about Iran's motivations and how long it may take it to build nuclear weapons, this article will present the views of Iranian scholars, scientists, bureaucrats, and intellectuals who are involved in the nuclear projects. Given Iran's probable desire to acquire nuclear weapons, this article will discuss the possible consequences of the policy options that are available to the US in its effort to prevent Iran from realizing its ambitions. …

Good for the Shah, Banned for the Mullahs: The West and Iran's Quest for Nuclear Power