• Background: Pres Bush has supported sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear program
• Debate:
• Recent Developments:

Background

• In February 2003, Iran revealed its uranium enrichment program at Natanz, claiming it was using the technology for peaceful purposes and inviting the UN nuclear monitoring body, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to visit. The US, however, alleged that the program is part of a drive to develop nuclear weapons and sought to refer the Iranian case to the Security Council.
• In November 2004, Tehran signed a temporary agreement with Germany, France and Britain to cease uranium enrichment and the IAEA issued Iran a clean bill of health, effectively avoiding Security Council intervention. Nevertheless, the IAEA said it could not confirm that Iran is not pursuing undeclared nuclear activities and referred the case to the UN Security Council.
• In May 2006, the Security Council adopted a resolution endorsing the P5 and Germany offer of diplomatic and economic incentives and demanding that Iran suspend all uranium enrichment programs by August 31.
• In December 2006, after Tehran's failure to comply, the Council imposed sanctions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology. Following the IAEAS offer to Tehran of a 60 day grace period where halting of the country's uranium enrichment would be exchanged for suspension of UN sanctions which Iran did not take up, the Security Council passed Resolution 1747 in March 2007, intensifying the previous sanctions package. Iran has vowed to continue with its nuclear energy program, but informal talks continue.
• President Bush has taken a hard line against Iran, naming it in 2002 as part of the 'Axis of Evil' and leaving discussion of Iran's nuclear ambitions up to the international community. However, with the neighboring Iraq on the verge of full-out civil war, both Iran and the U.S. must realize that, economic sanctions aside, they have a mutual stakes in the world requiring a progressive dialogue.

Debate

Recent Developments