Guide Note

Iran has been seeking to expand its nuclear energy program and perhaps develop nuclear weapons, leading to international concern.¹ Stagnant international negotiations and pressure from Israel have led to speculation that a conflict may be imminent.²

Fast Facts

1. Iran has at least 3,000 uranium enriching centrifuges³
2. The Iranian uranium-enriching compound is located in Natanz
3. Iran is producing 1.2 kg of enriched uranium daily³
4. 700 kg of uranium expected by 2009³
5. Iran denies that it is developing a nuclear weapon
6. According to the National Intelligence Estimate, Iran halted actively pursuing nuclear weapons in 2003⁴
7. Iran first acquired a research reactor from the United States in the 1960s
8. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
9. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is calling for transparency from Iran

Israel has long stated that it would consider an Iranian nuclear weapon as a threat to its existence. When Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized Israeli nuclear policy at the 2007 IAEA conference, Israeli Ambassador Israel Michaeli responded by saying: "Those who call for the elimination of Israel have no moral standing when they criticize Israeli policies aimed at defending Israel's very existence."⁵

In July 2008, Iran performed a series of missile tests aimed at showing off its improved missile technology and range. According to reports, the missiles displayed capabilities that made them ideal weapons to attack Israel with. The tests prompted U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to announce that "[the United States is] sending a message to Iran that we will defend American interests and the interests of our allies."⁶

According to The Washington Post, Iran has refused to stop producing uranium despite UN Security Council demands dating back to March 2006. As a means to persuade Iran to suspend production, the U.S., Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany (otherwise known as the "P5+1"⁷) offered "economic, political and security incentives" to Iran in June 2008. Iran provided "no clear response" to the offer.⁸

During international talks in Geneva on July 19, 2008, the P5+1 gave Iran two weeks to answer.⁸ Several days after the deadline, Iran sent a "non-committal letter" in response, which was interpreted as a "stalling tactic" to the White House.⁹

Iran's letter, delivered on August 5, stated that they were "not prepared to move any further," and that they would give a "clear response" only if they got a "'clear response' to [their] questions" regarding the incentives.⁷

Iran | Iran Nuclear Development | Tensions with Iran | 2007 Iran Hostage Crisis | Nuclear Power | Nuclear Proliferation | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad | George W. Bush | Tony Blair | Vladimir Putin | US-Iran Navy Standoff | Strait of Hormuz | Cold War II | Israel Bomb Iran Request