Originally published on the CGS blog on August 24, 2009.
After a year of stalemate, the BBC reports that Iran has allowed inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to its nuclear facility at Arak. Furthermore, Tehran has agreed to increase oversight of its nuclear plant at Natanz. Citizens for Global Solutions applauds these gestures but looks forward to the upcoming report from Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the IAEA, regarding the status of Iran’s program. In accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has the right to use nuclear energy for civilian purposes such as providing energy but not to pursue weapons development.
The call for closer engagement between the West and Iran from Hassan Qashqvi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, echoes our sentiments. That being said, a nuclear Iran pursuing weapons development does not bode well for the security of the region or the world. As Susan Rice stated in her recent speech at NYU, this problem is one of the many critical challenges that “cannot be tackled by any one country alone.” The Obama Administration must continue to constructively engage Iran while encouraging others with influence to put pressure on Tehran.
