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Iran's uranium use not sign of nuclear weapons
Eric Heisig
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
In recent weeks, the White House has expressed concern about Iran's claim that it has produced mass quantities of uranium, which is used in nuclear weapons. The production has exceeded the limits that the UN has in place.
Issam Nassar, an assistant professor in the Department of History, said it is not soon enough to tell whether or not they are going to build weapons.
"[Iran's] official position is that they are not producing nuclear weapons, they are just using the uranium for electricity and industry," he explained. "We do not know for sure [if they are producing nuclear weapons]."
Even if they are not holding or creating weapons, provoking or labeling them would not be the best idea either, according to Ali Riaz, an associate professor in the department of Politics and Government.
"The whole idea of the Axis of Evil is not the right way to deal with foreign policy," Riaz said.
President Bush's Axis of Evil includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea.
"If you start leveling countries like that, you are closing the doors for a negotiation. Without a negotiation, you don't have anything," Riaz said.
Even if Iran does not have any nuclear weapons, they could get them for protection.
"Because [Bush] designated them as part of the Axis and invaded Iraq, the other two moved quickly to get nuclear weapons to protect themselves," Nassar said.
Nassar added having a nuclear weapon could protect them from an invasion.
"Iraq did not have any WMDs [weapons of mass destruction]," he said. "In other words, if you don't have the bomb, you are going to be overthrown."
Iran has been offered some incentives if they agree to stop producing the uranium. Nassar, however, said he does not think the country will accept the package.
"The nature of the offer says the resources will be kept in the hands of other countries," he said. "The nature of the current leadership in Iran is a radical leadership that is thriving on confrontation. They are seizing the opportunity to make themselves a superpower."
Riaz said the United States and other countries should approach the situation in a different manner.
"At this point, the best thing to do is to work closely with Iran to see their concerns," he said. "Any actions can be detrimental, especially if we want the region to be nuclear-free."
The UN must then treat the country like an adult, and not as a child, he said.
"If you treat them like you are five years old, you will not get anywhere," Riaz explained. "Instead, they want to be a regional power, so they must instead ask how they are going to be a regional power."
Issam Nassar, an assistant professor in the Department of History, said it is not soon enough to tell whether or not they are going to build weapons.
"[Iran's] official position is that they are not producing nuclear weapons, they are just using the uranium for electricity and industry," he explained. "We do not know for sure [if they are producing nuclear weapons]."
Even if they are not holding or creating weapons, provoking or labeling them would not be the best idea either, according to Ali Riaz, an associate professor in the department of Politics and Government.
"The whole idea of the Axis of Evil is not the right way to deal with foreign policy," Riaz said.
President Bush's Axis of Evil includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea.
"If you start leveling countries like that, you are closing the doors for a negotiation. Without a negotiation, you don't have anything," Riaz said.
Even if Iran does not have any nuclear weapons, they could get them for protection.
"Because [Bush] designated them as part of the Axis and invaded Iraq, the other two moved quickly to get nuclear weapons to protect themselves," Nassar said.
Nassar added having a nuclear weapon could protect them from an invasion.
"Iraq did not have any WMDs [weapons of mass destruction]," he said. "In other words, if you don't have the bomb, you are going to be overthrown."
Iran has been offered some incentives if they agree to stop producing the uranium. Nassar, however, said he does not think the country will accept the package.
"The nature of the offer says the resources will be kept in the hands of other countries," he said. "The nature of the current leadership in Iran is a radical leadership that is thriving on confrontation. They are seizing the opportunity to make themselves a superpower."
Riaz said the United States and other countries should approach the situation in a different manner.
"At this point, the best thing to do is to work closely with Iran to see their concerns," he said. "Any actions can be detrimental, especially if we want the region to be nuclear-free."
The UN must then treat the country like an adult, and not as a child, he said.
"If you treat them like you are five years old, you will not get anywhere," Riaz explained. "Instead, they want to be a regional power, so they must instead ask how they are going to be a regional power."
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