Iran's Nuclear Puzzle
In: International affairs: a Russian journal of world politics, diplomacy and international relations, Band 55, Heft 1
ISSN: 0130-9641
Traces the Iran nuclear problem since 2002 when Iran breached a 1974 nuclear safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by conducting undeclared, large-scale nuclear activities. In 2003 Iran signed a nuclear safeguards agreement that allowed IAEA inspectors to visit its nuclear facilities & in 2004 an agreement with Great Britain, France, & Germany guaranteed that Iran's nuclear program was for peaceful purposes. The European states pledged to "reward" Iran if it permanently abandoned uranium enrichment. However, Iran refused to terminate its activities & proposed an alternative "four stage plan" which was rejected by the European Union & talks collapsed. The resumption of negotiations seemed possible until Iran notified the IAEA in early 2006 that it was resuming uranium enrichment activities. The issue was transferred to the United Nations Security Council which established the "Iran 6" (representatives from the US, Russia, China, France, Germany, & Great Britain) to deal with the problem. Subsequent consultations between Iran & the Group of Six, including the first success, are detailed. Future prospects are discussed. J. Lindroth