“From the Iran Nuclear Deal to a Middle East Zone? Lessons from the JCPOA for an ME WMDFZ“ Mallard, Grégoire (2021)
“ Iran’s Nuclear Ambition “ Li , Haokai (2021)
Analysis of Articles
“ Iran’s Nuclear Ambition “ Li , Haokai (2021)
Analysis of Articles
ÖZET
İran ve Amerika arasında geçmişten günümüze olan gergin ilişkilerini, uluslararası alana yansımasını ve Ortadoğu'da JCPOA gibi yeni bir formasyonun nasıl olmasını gerektiği hakkında var olan makaleleri inceledik. İran'ın nükleer programına devam etmekteki ısrarının ulusal kimlik ve güvenlik sebebiyle bölgedeki çıkarlarını korumak için devam etmesi Batı ile arasında gerginlik yaratsa da devam etmektedir. Ancak Batı ve İran ortak bir noktada buluşmak için bazı fedakarlıklar yapmaktadırlar. Yaptırımları kaldırılması ve Nükleer programın sınırlı bir biçimde devam etmesi örnek olarak verilebilir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Nükleer Program, Amerika, İran, Bölgesel Güvenlik, Orta Doğu Kitle İmha Silahlarından Arındırılmış Bölge
ABSTRACT
We have reviewed existing articles on the tense relations between Iran and the United States from the past to the present, their reflections in the international sphere, and how a new formation like the JCPOA should be in the Middle East. Iran's insistence on continuation of the nuclear program caused by national identity and security concerns to protect its regional interests, continues despite creating tensions with the West. However, both the West and Iran are making some sacrifices to find common point. The lifting of sanctions and allowing Iran's nuclear program to continue in a limited manner are examples of these sacrifices.
Keywords: Nuclear Program of Iran, the US, Iran, Regional Security, ME WMD FZ
1. Introduction
2. Historical Ties
3. IR Theories
4. Social and Economic Implementations
5. The JCPOA and Soft Power
6. DRM and Structure
7. Yesterdays and Todays Effects of Sanctions to Iran
8. Last Words About Nuclear Issue and Conclusion
9. References
Introduction
Recently, the world is on the agenda of nuclear power. So many states have the title of nuclear state. Some of the non-nuclear states are also trying to gain the nuclear state title. The most willing state is Iran. The geopolitical stance and natural resources which are oil and gas are the main valuable features of Iran. An attempt to race with the superpowers by arms race makes it difficult to analyze the structure and policies of Iran. The main point that they wished to pursue started with nuclear development which was caused by national pride and national identity. The importance of nuclear development is related with the long heritage of Persian identity which even comes today with national pride. The Persian heritage which is defined as glorious and long standing past and domination must have had the nuclear power against the Western powers. Also nuclear development must be obtained for Iran caused by the Western pressure in the region. The West believes that an oil rich country doesn't have to acquire nuclear developments. The ideological differentiation has contributed to the alienation and mistrust between the West which is mostly the US and Iran. The willingness of Iran on nuclear developments is understood as a threat to regional and international stability by the West and resulted with hostile policies only against Iran. On the one hand we can see the hostile behavior to Iran and on the other hand the US showed assistance to India and Israel about nuclear weapons and nuclear development which is the cause of the creation of a dilemma among states.
Historical Ties
We should also look at the roots of tension between Iran and the US. At first the US was the supporter and initiator of the nuclear developments in Iran. The initiative started with the US Atoms-for-Peace program in the 1950’s. The turning point to reverse the relations was the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979 with the overthrow of the Muhammad Rıza Pahlavi who was the concrete example of modernization and westernization symbol of Iran.
After the revolution, the US withdrew from the initiative which led to Iran looking for other supporters such as European states. When Iran looked for assistance on nuclear development, the US stated that Iran’s nuclear development would create instability and war in the region and international globe. For that reason the US implemented some sanctions against Iran to suspend the nuclear developments. The US received support from the UN and other Western states. From the Iranian perspective, Iran had a right to develop nuclear research under the NPT and the enrichment developments aimed only for civilian and peaceful purposes. The prior element was the civilian use of nuclear development with peaceful conditions even before the sanctions. After the pressure of the West, Iran changed its aims from nuclear energy to nuclear developments on security and interest.
In 1973, Iran experienced a hard time with oil which drives the Iranian economy. With the oil crisis, the Iranian government brought some policies which were based on reducing dependence on oil in 1974. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran(AEIO) was formed for some solution which was nuclear power and a source of electric power in the mid 1970’s.
Mousavian stated that there were some issues caused by the internal grid that concluded with negative economic and social effects on Iran. Also he added that developments on the nuclear program helped with some problems caused by shortages at industrial and civilian level.
Another researcher, Mansour claims that Iran is an anti-American state which aims to gradually become independent and sovereign( non interference by Western states) state. Main focus on nuclear development will bring power and financial independence from Western states.
The long heritage of Persian history usage was the main root for national identity which will trigger the will for nuclear developments. Iran is an oil rich and gas country and the national income of Iran which mostly consists of these elements. Iran continued technical assistance from European states on nuclear development after the US withdrew. Obviously we can say that national identity created the basis of nuclear developments. Iran wanted to show that they were able to develop nuclear weapons to Western states.
IR Theories
International Relations theories such as Realism, Institutionalism and Copenhagen School are the main theories that enable us to analyze Iran’s situation. Copenhagen School claims that acquisition of nuclear development by Iran is justified. Also the international sphere should focus on the-securitization of Iranian nuclear development. but the issue must be solved without creating a threat to the international community. The nations had to determine that Iran's nuclear development threatened their national security. On the other hand Realism views the condition of Iran on nuclear developments are well meaning and appropriate. Realism states that lack of command enforces the policies that creates security dilemmas to nation states. For that reason states must focus on their military power. They could have strengthened their military power by nuclear developments. Iran's nuclear developments are based on a realistic perspective. Iran claims to destabilize the Israelis hegemony in the region.
The institutional approach to Iran's nuclear developments based on the exclusion which was caused by nuclear treaties signed by some countries in the Middle East. Institutional view also support the strengthening of the orders created by the NPT. Iran's position defines the extent of seclusion enforced by the powerful countries without any consideration. Basically the NPT excludes the states which are in the middle range in the case of nuclear power such as Iran. Iran's aim on nuclear power has an institutional side, and its goal is to challenge the status quo established by Israel.
All the claims that we discussed above will set the borders of the tense relationship between Iran and the US are going to shape by the support of the international community. All the actions taken in the nuclear development of Iran created a security threat mostly in the region which shaped the region with the increase of the armed forces. The foreign intervention implementation also increased the developments to protect national security.
Social and Economic Implementations
We can see the harsh sanctions implemented on Iran which were based on economically and socially. Most of the Islamic states found the aims of Iran unnecessary on the insistence of nuclear power. The insistence on nuclear power was the reason for the increased violence and insecurity in the region. Most of the damage taken by the Iranian government which compelled the process of development in not only politically but also economically. The West was the driving force behind the catastrophic environment in the region. Because of the insistence of nuclear development, the West, which was mostly the US, imposed some sanctions on 1979, 1987 and 2006.
The Islamic Revolution was the turning point which reversed the relations between Iran and the US. There were three main sanction levels imposed on Iran. First level sanctions consisted of minimal sanctions on trade and positioned Iran in an uncomfortable situation with the US. We should understand that the sanctions not only affected Iran but also the US. The sanctions blocked the process of nuclear developments indirectly but directly the economy at some point. Iran sought some assistance after the withdrawal of the US such as the main rival of the US, Russia. Russia showed assistance in developments and installation of reactors.
Second level sanctions again based on the US but also supported by European states. That sanctions included transactions of Iranian petroleum and investment. And sanctions got tighter after a singing cooperation agreement with Russia. These sanctions were the results of Clinton's policy of Iran according to some views.
Third level sanctions are formed by the international community and the US convinced the international institutions such as the UN to prohibit enrichment of uranium, production and use of nuclear materials for ballistic missiles. Iran's economy is undermined by the international sphere. Iran still faces a security dilemma because of the sanctions and feels obligated to protect its own national security in the region. Other nations also feel threatened for national security caused by the nuclear developments. In conclusion, the sanctions at all levels Iran's oil and gas with the trade implications.
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İran ve Amerika arasında geçmişten günümüze olan gergin ilişkilerini, uluslararası alana yansımasını ve Ortadoğu'da JCPOA gibi yeni bir formasyonun nasıl olmasını gerektiği hakkında var olan makaleleri inceledik. İran'ın nükleer programına devam etmekteki ısrarının ulusal kimlik ve güvenlik sebebiyle bölgedeki çıkarlarını korumak için devam etmesi Batı ile arasında gerginlik yaratsa da devam etmektedir. Ancak Batı ve İran ortak bir noktada buluşmak için bazı fedakarlıklar yapmaktadırlar. Yaptırımları kaldırılması ve Nükleer programın sınırlı bir biçimde devam etmesi örnek olarak verilebilir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Nükleer Program, Amerika, İran, Bölgesel Güvenlik, Orta Doğu Kitle İmha Silahlarından Arındırılmış Bölge
ABSTRACT
We have reviewed existing articles on the tense relations between Iran and the United States from the past to the present, their reflections in the international sphere, and how a new formation like the JCPOA should be in the Middle East. Iran's insistence on continuation of the nuclear program caused by national identity and security concerns to protect its regional interests, continues despite creating tensions with the West. However, both the West and Iran are making some sacrifices to find common point. The lifting of sanctions and allowing Iran's nuclear program to continue in a limited manner are examples of these sacrifices.
Keywords: Nuclear Program of Iran, the US, Iran, Regional Security, ME WMD FZ
1. Introduction
2. Historical Ties
3. IR Theories
4. Social and Economic Implementations
5. The JCPOA and Soft Power
6. DRM and Structure
7. Yesterdays and Todays Effects of Sanctions to Iran
8. Last Words About Nuclear Issue and Conclusion
9. References
Introduction
Recently, the world is on the agenda of nuclear power. So many states have the title of nuclear state. Some of the non-nuclear states are also trying to gain the nuclear state title. The most willing state is Iran. The geopolitical stance and natural resources which are oil and gas are the main valuable features of Iran. An attempt to race with the superpowers by arms race makes it difficult to analyze the structure and policies of Iran. The main point that they wished to pursue started with nuclear development which was caused by national pride and national identity. The importance of nuclear development is related with the long heritage of Persian identity which even comes today with national pride. The Persian heritage which is defined as glorious and long standing past and domination must have had the nuclear power against the Western powers. Also nuclear development must be obtained for Iran caused by the Western pressure in the region. The West believes that an oil rich country doesn't have to acquire nuclear developments. The ideological differentiation has contributed to the alienation and mistrust between the West which is mostly the US and Iran. The willingness of Iran on nuclear developments is understood as a threat to regional and international stability by the West and resulted with hostile policies only against Iran. On the one hand we can see the hostile behavior to Iran and on the other hand the US showed assistance to India and Israel about nuclear weapons and nuclear development which is the cause of the creation of a dilemma among states.
Historical Ties
We should also look at the roots of tension between Iran and the US. At first the US was the supporter and initiator of the nuclear developments in Iran. The initiative started with the US Atoms-for-Peace program in the 1950’s. The turning point to reverse the relations was the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979 with the overthrow of the Muhammad Rıza Pahlavi who was the concrete example of modernization and westernization symbol of Iran.
After the revolution, the US withdrew from the initiative which led to Iran looking for other supporters such as European states. When Iran looked for assistance on nuclear development, the US stated that Iran’s nuclear development would create instability and war in the region and international globe. For that reason the US implemented some sanctions against Iran to suspend the nuclear developments. The US received support from the UN and other Western states. From the Iranian perspective, Iran had a right to develop nuclear research under the NPT and the enrichment developments aimed only for civilian and peaceful purposes. The prior element was the civilian use of nuclear development with peaceful conditions even before the sanctions. After the pressure of the West, Iran changed its aims from nuclear energy to nuclear developments on security and interest.
In 1973, Iran experienced a hard time with oil which drives the Iranian economy. With the oil crisis, the Iranian government brought some policies which were based on reducing dependence on oil in 1974. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran(AEIO) was formed for some solution which was nuclear power and a source of electric power in the mid 1970’s.
Mousavian stated that there were some issues caused by the internal grid that concluded with negative economic and social effects on Iran. Also he added that developments on the nuclear program helped with some problems caused by shortages at industrial and civilian level.
Another researcher, Mansour claims that Iran is an anti-American state which aims to gradually become independent and sovereign( non interference by Western states) state. Main focus on nuclear development will bring power and financial independence from Western states.
The long heritage of Persian history usage was the main root for national identity which will trigger the will for nuclear developments. Iran is an oil rich and gas country and the national income of Iran which mostly consists of these elements. Iran continued technical assistance from European states on nuclear development after the US withdrew. Obviously we can say that national identity created the basis of nuclear developments. Iran wanted to show that they were able to develop nuclear weapons to Western states.
IR Theories
International Relations theories such as Realism, Institutionalism and Copenhagen School are the main theories that enable us to analyze Iran’s situation. Copenhagen School claims that acquisition of nuclear development by Iran is justified. Also the international sphere should focus on the-securitization of Iranian nuclear development. but the issue must be solved without creating a threat to the international community. The nations had to determine that Iran's nuclear development threatened their national security. On the other hand Realism views the condition of Iran on nuclear developments are well meaning and appropriate. Realism states that lack of command enforces the policies that creates security dilemmas to nation states. For that reason states must focus on their military power. They could have strengthened their military power by nuclear developments. Iran's nuclear developments are based on a realistic perspective. Iran claims to destabilize the Israelis hegemony in the region.
The institutional approach to Iran's nuclear developments based on the exclusion which was caused by nuclear treaties signed by some countries in the Middle East. Institutional view also support the strengthening of the orders created by the NPT. Iran's position defines the extent of seclusion enforced by the powerful countries without any consideration. Basically the NPT excludes the states which are in the middle range in the case of nuclear power such as Iran. Iran's aim on nuclear power has an institutional side, and its goal is to challenge the status quo established by Israel.
All the claims that we discussed above will set the borders of the tense relationship between Iran and the US are going to shape by the support of the international community. All the actions taken in the nuclear development of Iran created a security threat mostly in the region which shaped the region with the increase of the armed forces. The foreign intervention implementation also increased the developments to protect national security.
Social and Economic Implementations
We can see the harsh sanctions implemented on Iran which were based on economically and socially. Most of the Islamic states found the aims of Iran unnecessary on the insistence of nuclear power. The insistence on nuclear power was the reason for the increased violence and insecurity in the region. Most of the damage taken by the Iranian government which compelled the process of development in not only politically but also economically. The West was the driving force behind the catastrophic environment in the region. Because of the insistence of nuclear development, the West, which was mostly the US, imposed some sanctions on 1979, 1987 and 2006.
The Islamic Revolution was the turning point which reversed the relations between Iran and the US. There were three main sanction levels imposed on Iran. First level sanctions consisted of minimal sanctions on trade and positioned Iran in an uncomfortable situation with the US. We should understand that the sanctions not only affected Iran but also the US. The sanctions blocked the process of nuclear developments indirectly but directly the economy at some point. Iran sought some assistance after the withdrawal of the US such as the main rival of the US, Russia. Russia showed assistance in developments and installation of reactors.
Second level sanctions again based on the US but also supported by European states. That sanctions included transactions of Iranian petroleum and investment. And sanctions got tighter after a singing cooperation agreement with Russia. These sanctions were the results of Clinton's policy of Iran according to some views.
Third level sanctions are formed by the international community and the US convinced the international institutions such as the UN to prohibit enrichment of uranium, production and use of nuclear materials for ballistic missiles. Iran's economy is undermined by the international sphere. Iran still faces a security dilemma because of the sanctions and feels obligated to protect its own national security in the region. Other nations also feel threatened for national security caused by the nuclear developments. In conclusion, the sanctions at all levels Iran's oil and gas with the trade implications.
Click for more.
_jpeg_2025_22_12_b3702079-4965-4132-8c28-6f30c62c1513.jpeg "Defense, Security, and Intelligence Revolution: Technopolitics and Demopolitics")
