International Terrorism and Peace Process

IRAN: SANCTIONS, and PROLIFERATION

International Terrorism and Peace Process

Issue description:

“Nation-state efforts to develop or acquire Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, or their underlying technologies constitute a major threat to the security of the United States, it’s deployed  troops, and allies. ” Currently, Iran is an aggressively  emerging threat to US National security  as it  tries  to defy sanctions and develop nuclear technology under the guise of the development of nuclear energy.

Critical Information:

“…The Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) has temporarily inhibited further progress in [Iran’s] uranium enrichment and plutonium capabilities and effectively eliminated Iran’s stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium (Clapper).” However, Iran has plenty of motivation to continue developing ballistic missiles that are capable delivering WMD’s.

Analysis:

Despite US sanctions, Iran continues to be the largest nuclear proliferation threat because “Iran’s progress on space launch vehicles – along with its desire to deter the US and it’s allies – provides Tehran with the means and motivation to develop longer range missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)(Clapper).”

Conclusion:

Iran continues to defy US led sanctions, continues to build ballistic missiles, and is continuing to develop long range IBM which clearly threatens US interests in the Middle East, threatens US allies, threatens US National security,  and could potentially create instability  throughout the region which could draw the US into war with Iran.

Sources:

Worldwide Threat Assessment  of the US Intelligence  Community,  James R. Clapper