Iran's nuclear program

The Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear program goes back many decades. However, in recent years, due to global political changes Iran is finding its program under severe scrutiny and even facing charges of developing a nuclear weapon capability.

Iran had maintained that the purpose of its nuclear program was the generation of power; any other use being a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which it is a signatory. The U.S. had insisted late in 2003 that Tehran be "held accountable" for allegedly seeking to build nuclear arms in violation of its agreements. Since then Iran's nuclear development program has taken a center stage in Middle Eastern as well as world politics.

On November 14, 2004, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said that his country agreed to suspend the uranium enrichment program after pressure from the European Union on behalf of the United Kingdom, France and Germany. However, on November 24 it emerged that Iran was seeking to amend the terms of its agreement with the EU to facilitate further research work, reviving the controversy. The U.S. has also alleged that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear missiles.

Background

The foundations for Iran's nuclear program were laid in the 1960 under auspices of the US within the framework of bilateral agreements between the two countries. In 1967 the Tehran Nuclear Research Center (TNRC) was built and run by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). The TNRC was equipped with a US supplied 5-megawatt nuclear research reactor. Iran signed and ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968. With the establishment of Iran's atomic agency and the NPT in place plans were drawn by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (Iran's King) to construct up to twenty three nuclear power stations across the country together with U.S. by the year 2000. Numerous contracts were signed with various western firms, and the German firm Siemens began construction on the Bushehr power plant. Work was halted with the 1979 Iranian Revolution and Siemens withdrew from the project. Shortly afterwards Iraq invaded Iran and the nuclear programme was stopped until the end of the war. In 1990, Iran began to look outwards towards partners for its nuclear programme; however, due to a radically different political climate and punitive US economic sanctions, few candidates existed. In 1995 Iran signed a contract with Russia to resume work on the half complete Bushehr plant. It was not until 2002 that the U.S. began to question Iran's nuclear intentions after the MKO revealed the existence of the Natanz and Arak facilities.

Iran claims that nuclear power is necessary for a booming population and rapidly industrialising nation. It points to the fact that Iran's population has more than doubled in 20 years, the country regularly imports gasoline and electricity, and that burning fossil fuel in large amounts harms Iran's enviornment drastically [1] (http://www.payvand.com/news/03/oct/1022.html). Additionaly, Iran questions why it shouldn't be allowed to diversify its sources of energy, especially when there are fears of its oil fields eventually being depleted. It continues to argue that its valuable oil should be used for high value products, not simple electricity generation. Iran also raises financial questions, claiming that developing the excess capacity in its oil industry would cost it $40 billion, let alone pay for the power plants. Harnessing nuclear power costs a fraction of this, considering Iran has abundant supplies of accessible uranium ore [2] (http://www.payvand.com/news/03/oct/1022.html).

Iran claims to have a legal right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under the NPT. Iran, and many other developing nations who are signatory to the NPT, believe the Western position to be hypocritical, claiming that the NPT's original purpose was universal nuclear disarmament. ([3] (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,726557,00.html)) Iran also compares its treatment as a signatory to the NPT with three nations that have not ratified the NPT: Israel, India, and Pakistan. Each of these nations developed, or in the case of Israel is believed to have developed, an indigenous nuclear weapons capability: Israel by 1968 [4] (http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/nuke/index.html), India by 1974 [5] (http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/nuke/index.html) and Pakistan by 1998 [6] (http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/nuke/).

Since 2002, the US has countered that Iran does not need nuclear power due to its abundant oil reserves. The argument also lies on financial grounds: The US argues that in production, each kilowatt of nuclear power costs $1000, a high figure when compared to the $600-800 of oil power. While this claim is also justified by economics, the true reason behind US resistance lies in regional Middle Eastern geopolitics. In essence, the US feels that it must guard against even the possibility of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapons capability. Furthermore, the particular type of nuclear power Iran is pursuing is a dual-use technology—it can indeed be used for peaceful energy generation, but the same technology could also be used to develop nuclear weapons, the same sort of situation which resulted in India's own nuclear weapons programme in the 1960s.

The claims and counter claims have put an immense amount of pressure on Iran to reveal all aspects of its nuclear programme to date. A great deal of this pressure has come from Iran's trade partners: Europe, Japan, and Russia. Iran has been slow to respond, claiming the pressure is an attempt by the US government to prevent it from obtaining nuclear power.

Only since the involvement of the IAEA, under the auspicies of Mohammad El-Baradei, and the UN has Iran started to cooperate. But even this degree of cooperation has varied depending on other geopolitical issues: at times the IAEA has had to admonish Iran, while at other times it has praised it.

Geopolitics

Note: there have been significant developments since this report has been published. [7] (http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_printable&report_id=96&language_id=1) IAEA finds enriched uranium samples are not Iranian. Iran signs the additional protocol etc.

Facilities

• Bushehr: A two reactor light water nuclear power plants. [8] (http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/bushehr.htm)

• Arak: A heavy water production facility. Heavy water is used as a moderator in some reactors. Iran has plans to build a heavy water reactor at this location at a later date. [9] (http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/arak.htm)

• Saghand: (32°28'45"N 55°24'30"E) Location of Iran's first uranium ore mines, expected to become operational by March 2005. The deposit is estimated to contain 3,000 to 5,000 tons of uranium oxide at a density of about 500 ppm over an area of 100 to 150 square kilometers. [10] (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6590762(Reuters))[11] (http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/saghand.htm)

• Natanz: This is a uranium enrichment facility for converting uranium ore into a form usable by power plants. It can also create nuclear weapons quality HEU uranium. [12] (http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/natanz.htm)

• Tehran Nuclear Research Center (TNRC): Run by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). It is equipped with a US supplied 5-megawatt nuclear research reactor capable of producing 600g of plutonium annually in spent fuel.

• Nuclear Technology Center of Isfahan: A nuclear research facility. The Isfahan Center currently operates four small nuclear research reactors, all supplied by China. It is run by the AEOI. [13] (http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/esfahan.htm)

• Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility, located in Isfahan converts yellowcake into uranium hexafluoride. As of late October 2004, the site is 70% operational with 21 of 24 workshops completed. Iran plans to convert 37 tons of yellowcake, sufficient for five nuclear weapons, at this site. [14] (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6590762)

• Bonab Atomic Energy Research Center: Reasearch facility investigating the applications of nuclear technology in agriculture. It is run by the AEOI.

• Center for Agricultural Research and Nuclear Medicine at Karaj: Established in 1991 and run by the AEOI. [15] (http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/karaj.htm)

Timeline

1967: The Tehran Nuclear Research is built and run by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

July 1968: Iran signs the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and ratifies it. It goes into effect on March 5, 1970.

1970s: Under the Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (Iran's King), plans are made to construct up to twenty nuclear power stations across the country with U.S.. support and backing. Numerous contracts were signed with various western firms, and the German firm Kraftwerk Union (a subsidiary of Siemens) began construction on the Bushehr power plant in 1974.

1975: Massachusetts Institute of Technology signs a contract with the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to provide training for Iranian nuclear engineers.

1979: Iran's Islamic revolution puts a freeze on the existing nuclear programme and the Bushehr contract with Siemens is terminated as the German firm leaves.

1980-1988: The programme is halted due to the Iran-Iraq war.

In 1990, Iran begins negotiations with Russia regarding the re-construction of the Bushehr power plant.

In 1992, Iran signed an agreement with China for building of two 950 watt reactors in Darkhovin (Western Iran). To date, construction has not yet begun.

In January 1995, Iran signs an $800 million contract with Russian Ministry of Atomic energy (Minatom) to complete reactors at Bushehr under IAEA safeguards. [16] (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/09/10/wiran210.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/09/10/ixnewstop.html)

In December 2002, The USA accuses Iran of attempting to make Nuclear Weapons. An anti-Iranian terrorist organisation, the MKO (Mujahedin Khalq Organisation) releases pictures of two nuclear related facilities at Natanz and Arak.

16 June 2003, Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency declares that "Iran failed to report certain nuclear materials and activities" and requested "co-operative actions" from Iran. However at no point does the International Atomic Energy Agency declare Iran in breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. [17] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/middle_east/3210412.stm)

In October 2003 Iran begins to hold negotiations with IAEA members with respect to a more stringent set of nuclear inspections. [18] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/middle_east/3210412.stm)

On October 31 , 2003, The IAEA declares that Iran has submitted a "comprehensive" declaration of its nuclear programme. [19] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/middle_east/3210412.stm)

On November 11, 2003, The IAEA declares that there is no evidence that Iran is attempting to build an atomic bomb. [20] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/middle_east/3210412.stm)

On November 13, 2003, Washington claims the IAEA report is "impossible to believe". The UN stands behind the facts provided in the report. [21] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/middle_east/3210412.stm)

In June 2004, Kamal Kharrazi, Iran's foreign minister, said: "We won't accept any new obligations. Iran has a high technical capability and has to be recognised by the international community as a member of the nuclear club. This is an irreversible path." with regards to demands that Iran halt its nuclear programme. [22] (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/06/13/wiran13.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/06/13/ixworld.html)

On June 14, 2004, Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency accuses Iran of "less than satisfactory" cooperation during the IAEA's investigation of its nuclear program. ElBaradei demands "accelerated and proactive cooperation" from Iran. (NYT) (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/14/international/middleeast/14CND-IRAN.html)

On July 27, 2004, Iran breaks seals placed upon uranium centrifuges by the International Atomic Energy Agency and resumes construction of the centrifuges at Natanz. (AP) (http://ap.washingtontimes.com/dynamic/stories/N/NUCLEAR_AGENCY_IRAN?SITE=DCTMS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)

On July 31, 2004, Iran stated that it has resumed building nuclear centrifuges to enrich uranium reversing an voluntary October 2003 pledge to Britain, France and Germany to suspend all uranium enrichment-related activities. The United States contends that the purpose is to produce weapons grade uranium. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5835448)

On August 10, 2004, several long standing charges and questions regarding weapons grade uranium samples were clarified by the IAEA. The samples matched Pakistani and Russian sources which had contaminated imported Iranian equipment from those countries. (Jane's Intelligence) (http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jdw/jdw040810_1_n.shtml)

On August 24, 2004, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi declares in Wellington, New Zealand declaring that Iran would retaliate with force against Israel or any nation that attempts a pre-emptive strike on its nuclear program. Earlier in the week, Israel's chief of staff, General Moshe Ya'alon, told an Israeli newspaper that "Iran is striving for nuclear capability and I suggest that in this matter [Israel] not rely on others."

On September 6, 2004, the latest IAEA report finds that "unresolved issues surrounding Iran's atomic programme are being clarified or resolved outright". [23] (http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jdw/jdw040906_1_n.shtml)

On September 18, 2004, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations's nuclear watchdog agency, unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Iran to suspend all activities related to uranium enrichment.

On September 21, 2004, in defiance of the United Nations, Iran announced that it will continue its nuclear program converting 37 tonnes of yellowcake uranium for processing in centrifuges. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6292567)

On October 18, 2004, Iran stated that it is willing to negotiate with the U.K., Germany, and France regarding a suspension of its uranium enrichment activities, but that it will never renounce its right to enrich uranium. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6527468)

On October 24, 2004, the European Unionmakes a proposal to provide civilian nuclear technology to Iran in exchange for Iran terminating its uranium enrichment program permanetly. Iran rejects this outright saying it will not renounce its right to enrichment technologies. A decision to refer to the matter from the International Atomic Energy Agency to the United Nations Security Council is expected on November 25, 2004. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6590070)

On November 15, 2004, talks between Iran and three European Union members, theUnited Kingdom, France and Germany result in a compromise. Iran agrees to temporarily suspend its active uranium enrichment program for the duration of a second round of talks during which attempts will be made at arriving at a permanent mutually beneficial solution.

On November 15, 2004, a confidential UN report is leaked. The report states that all nuclear materials within Iran have been accounted for and there is no evidence of any millitary nuclear programe. Nevertheless, it still can not discount the posibility of such a programe because it does not have perfect knowlege. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4013321.stm (BBC)]

On November 17, 2004 Farid Soleiman, a senior spokesman for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) states that Pakistani nuclear scientist "Abdul Qadeer Khan gave Iran a quantity of HEU (highly enriched uranium) in 2001" and a nuclear bomb design and that Iran "continues to enrich uranium as we speak". To date, NCRI has been the best source of information on Iran's nuclear program according to diplomats in Vienna, location of the International Atomic Energy Agency. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6844621&section=news)

On November 22, 2004, Iran declared that it will suspend its uranium enrichment programme to comply with a European Union-brokered deadline. Iran will review its decision in three months. The EU seeks to have the suspension made permanent and is willing to provide economic and political incentives. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6889248&section=news)

On November 24, 2004, Iran sought to amend its agreement with European Union countries to allow the continuation working with centrifuges that separate highly enriched uranium from uranium hexafluoride gas. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6910662&section=news)

On November 25, 2004, just three days after an agreement with the European Union took effect, Iran prevents the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from sealing all of its centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment facility. Wishing to exempt at least 20 centrifuge machines from the agreement. The IAEA begins its meeting to decide whether or not to refer the matter to the United Nations Security Council. (Reuters) (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6920959&section=news)

External links

• Radio Free Europe article on recent events concerning Iran's nuclear program (http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/8/3715C237-1615-4798-80AE-F489B0B6267C.html)
• BBC Iran Nuclear Issue Timeline (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/middle_east/3210412.stm)
• PINR - Iran & It's Race For Nuclear Weapons (http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_printable&report_id=96&language_id=1)
• Iran's Nuclear Program. Part I: Its History (http://www.payvand.com/news/03/oct/1015.html)
• Iran's Nuclear Program. Part II: Are Nuclear Reactors Necessary? (http://www.payvand.com/news/03/oct/1022.html)
• Pars Times - Iran Nuclear Resources (http://www.parstimes.com/INR.html)

• BBC - UN probe backs Iran nuclear claim (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4013321.stm)