Iran's Nuclear programme

Iran's nuclear ambitions pose a threat to its neighbours, Israel and the wider world. Some countries do not yet sufficiently realize that Iranian claims that its nuclear programme is only intended for peaceful uses are not credible. Others feel that the threat of massive retaliation, if Iran makes a nuclear attack, is sufficiently prohibitive not to press Iran to the wall on this issue.

However, the latter ignore the danger that Iran might build a small-scale nuclear instrument and pass it on to a terrorist organization.

Iran continues to defy key demands of the IAEA and the UN Security Council. Three rounds of sanctions have already been imposed on Iran by the UN, including: travel bans on Iranian officials; the freezing of foreign assets of Iranian companies and officials; and bans on the sale of dual-use items to Iran. A recent UN resolution also urges governments to withdraw financial backing from firms trading with Iran, inspect cargo going into and out of the country, and monitor the activities of two Iranian banks.

WJC Policy

Iran must comply fully with the UN Security Council and the IAEA.

Iran must immediately and completely stop all nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities and heavy water-related projects until it is conclusively proven that it is only intended for civilian power generation purposes.

The sanctions regime needs to be strengthened until it is effective.

If Iran does not meet the demands of the UN Security Council and the IAEA the sanctions regime should be gradually expanded to also include key Iranian industries such as oil and natural gas. (including obstructing Iran’s capacity to import refined oil products.)

The international community needs to be united to confront the Iranian threat.

More drastic other action against Iranian nuclear installations should only be considered as a last resort if all diplomatic avenues have been exhausted and if the sanctions regime fails to deliver any tangible results.