Iran's Nuclear Program

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Background
In the face of uncertain developments in the Iranian nuclear program, there are two important aspects to be taken into consideration by the U.S. government. Firstly, there is substantial evidence that the Islamic Republic is on the verge of achieving break-out capability for creating a nuclear device. It is estimated that such a development could happen within the next six months. In the meantime, the election of a new, moderate President of the Islamic Republic H.E. Hassan Rouhani, whose tone and articulated policies (which, undoubtedly, have been endorsed by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), may create a historic window of opportunity for reaching an agreement on their nuclear program. Additionally, international sanctions imposed by the United Nations and implemented by the trading partners of Iran may also prove to be an effective tool for dealing with the Iranian nuclear crisis.
However, it is important to bear in mind the wider regional context while dealing with this issue. Israel is still skeptical of the possibility of an agreement with Iran and interprets Mr. Rouhani’s recent conciliatory rhetoric and moves as a smokescreen to kill two birds with one stone: to buy time for the final push to acquire nuclear weapons and present a nuclear-armed Iran as a fait accompli, and to scale back sanctions, with the understanding that their reactivation will be, at least, difficult. France is also supporting Israel’s position on this issue.
A similar problem may arise with another regional actor, Saudi Arabia. Any rapprochement between the U.S. and Iran will unnerve the Saudi Kingdom, which views the Islamic Republic as arch-rival and may consider such development as tipping the balance in the region in Tehran’...

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...uccess of such an approach is underpinned by the tenets of neo-institutionalism, underscoring the role of international organizations in providing frameworks for negotiations and bargaining, as well as sending costly signals and implementing monitoring. In addition, constructivists would argue that negotiations and agreement on the nuclear issue would encourage further contacts between the west and Iran, which will facilitate mutual understanding, strengthening of norms, especially of non-proliferation and peaceful resolution of conflicts, and will create solid base for further engagement.
Realists may have somewhat different approach. First, they may claim that the US can easily live with nuclear-armed Iran, using policies of containment and deterrence. Though, at the same time, they might argue that an agreement with Iran will shift balance of power in the region.

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