Political committee
Issue: The question of Iran
becoming a nuclear power
Student Officer: DUCROT Aurelie
Position : Co-Chair
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Introduction
• After many years of construction, a large nuclear power
plant has started up in Iran.
• Iran also has plans to develop uranium enrichment (this
has been concealed for many years).
• The UN security council has asked Iran to stop its
uranium enrichment activities. However Iran refuses to
suspend its activities.
• In November 2011, the IAEA has reported that Iran is
developing Nuclear weapons.
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Definition of Key Terms
• IAEA:
International Atomic Energy Agency is a UN
body that aims to promote the development of
nuclear energy and tries to prevents its use as a
weapon.
• Non proliferation :
To prevent the use of nuclear technology for the
purpose of warfare
• NPT:
Non Proliferation Treaty
• Uranium enrichment:
Is the process by which the composition of
natural uranium (²³⁸U) is enriched with ²³⁵U. This is a
necessary process for both the civil use (to create
nuclear energy) and military use (nuclear weapon).
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Definition of Key Terms
• Atom for Peace program:
Is a program that supplied equipment and information to
schools, hospitals, and research institutions within the U.S. and
throughout the world. The first nuclear reactors in Iran and
Pakistan were built under the program
• Iranian revolution:
Is the period where Iran’s monarchy was overthrown and
the Islamic Republic was established. The revolution
established religious leaders as the ruling class and integrated
Islamic law into all aspects of the government, military, and
public and private enterprise.
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History
Background
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After the bombing from the United States of America
on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world
realized that the nuclear bomb had the power of mass
destruction.
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Government saw the necessity of international
cooperation and dialogue between nations to prevent
such events from repeating themselves.
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Following the Cuban missile crisis, the Nuclear Non
proliferation treaty was signed in 1968 by multiple nations.
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USA, Russia, France, China and UK were and are
officially recognized as possessing the nuclear bomb.
• Iran signed the Non proliferation treaty in 1968.
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History
Iran’s Nuclear Program
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Iran’s nuclear program was launched in 1950 with
the help of the USA as part of the Atom for Peace
program.
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The participation of Western Europe and the United
States continued till the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
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The research was then stopped for the new
government had religious reservation on nuclear power
and believed it to be evil.
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During the Iran-Iraq war, research on nuclear power
restarted.
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=> The Iran Nuclear Program aims to develop
nuclear capacities both as a renewable source of energy
and recently as a weapon.
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History
2000 to today
In 2005, Iran made its first attempt to enrich uranium and
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afterwards, established a secret nuclear research center to
train scientists in atomic technology.
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Iran continues to develop long range missiles and already
possesses the weapons to reach Israel and countries in
Southern and Eastern Europe.
•
In November 2011, the IAEA reported that Iran is
developing the nuclear bomb.
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Major Parties Involved and Their
Views
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United States of America have said that they will not
permit Iran from obtaining the nuclear bomb and have
taken measures to discourage the Iranian government to
pursue the research on nuclear power. They are also
prepared to launch a military response if Iran succeed in
obtaining the Nuclear bomb.
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France, Germany and the United Kingdom are
leading the European Union’s effort to convince Iran to
abandon its nuclear ambitions. If Iran develops the
nuclear weapon it will be able to threaten the whole of
Europe.
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Major Parties Involved and Their
Views
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Israel is against Iran obtaining nuclear capability as
this would be a threat on Israel due to the tension
between both nations. On top of that it would limit
Israel’s ability to protect itself from Hezbollah and Hamas
attacks.
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Egypt and Saudi Arabia see Iran obtaining the
nuclear bomb as a threat for the Arab Middle East. This
is primarily due to Iran’s intention to dominate the region.
On top of that, if Iran develops the Nuclear Bomb it
would mean nuclear proliferation across the Middle East.
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Timeline of Relevant
Resolutions, Treaties and Events
Date
1968
2003
Description of event
Iran signs the Non Proliferation Treaty
Iran says it is suspending its uranium enrichment
program and will allow tougher UN inspections of its
nuclear facilities. IAEA concludes there is no
evidence of a weapons program.
2005
Iran says it has resumed its nuclear activities but for
peaceful purposes (as a renewable energy). However
the IAEA says Iran is in violation of the NPT
IAEA says Iran is withholding information on its
nuclear activities.
2008
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Timeline of Relevant
Resolutions, Treaties and Events
Date
2009
Description of event
IAEA passes a resolution condemning Iran for
developing a uranium enrichment site in secret.
2011
A report by the IAEA says Iran is carrying out
research that can only be used to develop a
nuclear bomb trigger. Iran rejects the accusation
2012
IAEA is denied access to Parchin site, a military
site suspected by the IAEA to be involved in
nuclear activities
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Evaluation of Previous Attempts
to Resolve the Issue
• Resolution 1696: Security Council demands that Iran suspends
Uranium Enrichment or face possible economic and diplomatic
sanctions
• Resolution 1737: Security council imposes sanctions on Iran for
failure to halt uranium enrichment
• Resolution 1747: Security Council toughens sanctions against Iran,
adds arm restrictions
• Resolution 1803: Security Council tightens restrictions on Iran’s
proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities- and increases vigilance
over Iranian banks
• Resolution 1835: Security Council reaffirms earlier resolutions on
Iran’s uranium enrichment and calls upon the country to comply with
its obligation
• Resolution 1929: Security council imposes additional sanction on
Iran.
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Possible Solutions
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Delegates should find ways to restrict Iran’s uranium
enrichment
Delegates should find ways to get Iran to comply
and thus abandon their nuclear research
Delegates should probably include in their
resolutions sanctions that would discourage the Iranian
government to pursue their nuclear program
Delegates should also think about the
consequences of a war against Iran and find ways to
protect the citizens
Delegates should also look into those past
resolutions for inspiration and see what could be
modified so that countries can come to an agreement
(useful links are on the next page and in bold)
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Bibliography and Useful Links
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http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sc9948.doc.htm
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sc9459.doc.htm
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sc9268.doc.htm
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8928.doc.htm
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8792.doc.htm
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/talking/23_Iran.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-nuclear-iran-nptidUSBRE8AT0JL20121130
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/01/25/285437/no-nuclearwork-at-irans-parchin-site/
https://sites.google.com/a/model-un.com/guide/download
(this is a website that can help you further your research and
prepare for the conference)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_program_of_Iran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atoms_for_Peace
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