Taming Tehran

Iran’s nuclear program presents a major challenge to U.S. policy. At the core is one fundamental question: Is Iran attempting to build a nuclear weapon? Objectivity reveals Iran’s dependence on natural resources provides sufficient merit for Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear program; without nuclear power to meet rising domestic energy needs, Iran’s economy will suffer. However, the security of Iran and the survival of its regime are overarching; acts of foreign interference in Iran fuel the quest for a nuclear weapon. Considering the current standoff between Iran and the U.S., we must ask another key question: How effective have U.S. policies been? The answer is simple. Sanctions, political pressure, and threats proved no obstacle to Iran; worse still, ignoring IAEA reports finding no evidence Iran is building nuclear weapons damaged U.S. efforts. Iran’s progress makes it clear U.S. policies failed, and old strategies must be discarded. This book asserts a non-confrontational engagement policy, acknowledging Iran’s needs will provide the U.S. the highest probability of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.