IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS
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UCSC Model United Nations
November 2007 Conference
Committee: Security Council
Topic: Iran Nuclear Crisis
Introduction
Hi, my name is Shelley Mae Alingas and I am a Second Year at University of California, Santa
Cruz. I see the Security Council as one of the most challenging committees in MUN for it
incorporates all aspects of the UN, and is the lead committee for this body. Therefore, I expect
all delegates to be well researched on their topic and understand it thoroughly. In the case that
you need to contact me for questions or comments, you can e-mail me at salingas@ucsc.edu. I
look forward to a series of strong debates.
Background
The crisis in Iran stems back to the late 1950s when Iran was establishing a nuclear program
with the United States under the Atoms for Peace Program in 1957, but little attention was given
to the subject. In 1968, Iran signed and ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and
promised to abide by its regulations. Thus, Iran began to set aside plans to build nuclear reactors
within its country. However in 1979, a revolution occurred in Iran causing its western friendly
policy to break down. In a statement the years following, Iran stated that it would restart its
nuclear program indigenously and would establish its own reactors instead of depending on the
United States.
Later, in September of 2001 the CIA accused Iran of having one of the fastest developing
Nuclear Programs in the world. The following year, Iran‟s President, Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad,
talked with the IAEA admitting to a Nuclear Program. However, citing the NPT, Iran justified
their program for civilian uses only and denied all claims to making or having Nuclear weapons.
Despite USA‟s efforts to prove that Iran had a Nuclear Weapons program, little was done
internationally. Complying with the IAEA, Iran allowed inspectors into its country since 1992.
However with mounting pressure from foreign countries; Iran decided to suspend its nuclear
program as of October 2003.
Eventually in January of 2004, the UN finds Iran conducting “secret activities” and calls
upon Iran to halt the enriching of Uranium immediately. In resolution GOV/2004/7, passed on
September 18th 2004, the IAEA calls upon Iran to halt its activities by November of that year.
After failing to comply, Iran gets mounted pressure from the EU 3 (France, UK, and Germany)
to halt its nuclear program. In an agreement established on November 14th 2004 between Iran
and the EU 3, provisions were implemented for Iran to halt uranium enrichment, and in return
get into talk with the EU 3.
On August 10th of 2005, Iran began enriching uranium again and the crisis was brought
about again. Thus on February 4th of 2006, the issue of Iran‟s Nuclear Program was brought to
the Security Council with a vote of 27-3 with 5 abstentions. Now the crisis lies in the hands of
the SC.
UN Involvement
The UN has continually been involved with the crisis in Iran through the IAEA. As of later 2002
the IAEA has been documenting the nuclear program in Iran and has continually been following
the crisis. Maintaining an unbiased view through the use of the IAEA‟s 35 member committee
known as the board of governors, the UN has been able to properly follow the crisis and take
appropriate measures. The IAEA‟s greatest role was through providing successful inspections
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IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS
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Cerritos High School Model United Nations
Novemberr 2007 Conference
upon nuclear reactors in Iran. Although IAEA inspectors would eventually be denied, the IAEA
was able to inspect Iran‟s nuclear facilities since 1992 and would provide the information to the
UN.
On November 11th of 2003, the IAEA called the Iranian nuclear program legal under the
provision of the NPT and continued to send inspectors into Iran. 5 However after a series of
arguments, on November 15 th of 2004 the IAEA deemed Iran‟s nuclear program legal and safe
again. However after Iran reinitiated its nuclear program on August of 2005, the IAEA passed
resolution GOV/2005/64 on August 11th and resolution GOV/2005/77 on September 24 th of
20057. The resolutions asserted that Iran‟s Nuclear Program was in violation of the NPT and the
Additional Protocol, which was signed by Iran on December 18 th of 2003, and called upon Iran
to halt its nuclear program immediately.
Eventually, on January 10 th of 2006, the IAEA submitted reports claiming that Iran had
started to remove IAEA seals from nuclear sites and continued their program. After a failure of
compliance from Iran, the IAEA passed the crisis with Iran to the SC on February 2006. Since
the crisis was passed to the Security Council, the IAEA has given reports to the SC, including
one in April 28th which stated that Iran‟s nuclear program is continually getting larger.
Past Solutions
Since the start of a nuclear program for Iran in the 1950s, the international community has been
actively involved in the topic by offering a variety of solutions to aid the situation at hand.
Initially with Iran‟s program in the late 50s, the United States was working in partnership with
Iran to provide them with reactors, but would be created via the US. However this plan rapidly
failed after Iran underwent a revolution in 1979.
However since then, very little has been proposed. The first solution since then was
provided by the EU 3 on November 14 th 2004. Getting into talks with the Iranian government,
the EU 3 successfully prevented Iran from continuing its Nuclear Program. In return for Iran
halting the enrichment of uranium, the EU 3 engaged in a second round of peace talks to come to
an answer that would suit all parties to the dispute. However, when Iran began its enrichment
program again in August 2005, the proposed solution failed, and the situation would go back to
how it was.
The next solution that was proposed in 2005 was by Russia. The solution was similar to
the previous solution of America in the late 50s. Through this plan, Iran would be allowed to
continue its Nuclear Program however, the equipment would be provided by Russia. This way it
would be clear that Iran would get a nuclear program for civilian purposed only. Russia would
provide nuclear fuels and reactor equipment so as to prevent a secret development of nuclear
weapons. However Iran rejected the proposal but maintained diplomatic talks with Russia.
The next proposal was again anticipated by the EU 3. The plan, which wasn‟t formally
proposed, called for an array of incentives to the Iranian government to halt their nuclear
program. Such benefits would be technological, economical and other such incentives in return
for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment. Another idea being contemplated is to provide Iran with
light-water nuclear reactors for Iran as long as they are made by the EU. Additionally, to provide
more strength to the proposal, the plan was backed by a set of disincentives. So that if Iran
refused the plan, an arms embargo and the possibility of economic sanctions would be enforced.
However, the plan as of now doesn‟t have enough backing to be fully implemented because SC
superpowers China and Russia are against any type of sanctions placed on Iran. They wish to
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IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS
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UCSC Model United Nations
November 2007 Conference
maintain good relations with the Iranian government due to economic ties between the nations.
Furthermore, Iran states that it would refuse such a plan claiming that there is no need to discuss
enriching uranium since it is a right of nation.
The latest solution that has been proposed has included the European Union and the
United States after it underwent a change in policy. On March 2005, the United States joined the
EU 3‟s previous plan to halt Iran‟s nuclear program. This time, in return for Iran suspending its
nuclear program, it would be able to engage in talks with the EU and the USA. To provide a
further incentive for this action to occur, the US allowed Iran back in the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and gave chances for discussions to occur. However, Iran still claims it has
the right to continue its enrichment program, but hasn‟t “formally” denied this request.
Bloc Positions
Western Bloc: The Western bloc has taken direct measures to aid the crisis in Iran. Consisting of
the EU and the US, the Western bloc has been at the forefront of the nuclear crisis in Iran
proposing a wide array of solutions to the problem and actively attempting to prevent Iran from
using its nuclear program. Additionally, the western bloc has been at an „extremist‟ position by
attempting to prevent Iran‟s nuclear program at all costs.
Asian Bloc: The Asian bloc is split upon this issue by having nations on opposite sides.
Countries like Japan and S. Korea feel that Iran has no right to establish a Nuclear program and
will follow the EU to take action against Iran if need be. However, nations like China and Ru ssia
feel that Iran has the right to a nuclear program as long as Iran doesn‟t develop nuclear weapons.
Also there is N. Korea, who would feel that all nations have the right to develop nuclear weapons
to protect their sovereignty. With a wide variety of opinions in the Asian bloc, these nations are
not likely to work together on this topic.
Middle Eastern Bloc: Similarly to Asian bloc, the Middle Eastern bloc has split opinions within
the bloc. Nations like Israel are opposed to Iran‟s nuclear program fully feeling that it threatens
its own sovereignty. Israel is likely to take any action to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear
weapons. Other nations like Syria, and Palestine wouldn‟t argue with Iran gaining nuclear
weapons since it would enhance their situations and give them protection. Lastly, all other
nations take a variety of policies, but most feel that Iran getting a nuclear program is tolerable as
long as it doesn‟t evolve into nuclear weapons.
Latin American Bloc: The Latin American bloc is against Iran‟s nuclear program, but hasn‟t
taken an assertive stance on the situation. This bloc realizes that Iran attaining nuclear weapons
is a threat to the international community, but they feel that it is out of their jurisdiction to take
an aggressive stance against Iran. Their ultimate goal is to attain peace and get to a solution that
would appease all nations involved in the conflict.
African Bloc: The African bloc is much like the Latin American bloc. They understand that Iran
attaining nuclear weapons is a threat to the international community but doesn‟t have the proper
recourses to address the situation. Lacking in technological information, the African bloc hasn‟t
been able to completely follow the crisis and provide direct action. They feel that peace needs to
be achieved while preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
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IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS
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UCSC Model United Nations
November 2007 Conference
Points to Consider
Should Iran be allowed to keep a nuclear program for civilian purposes and is it justified
under the NPT?
Should sanctions be used against Iran, and if so, what type of sanctions should be used?
What should the IAEA do to be more active in the situation and prevent Iran from
creating Nuclear Arms?
At what point should Iran‟s nuclear program be deemed as a nuclear arms program and a
threat to the international community?
Helpful Websites
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3362443.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/790877.stm
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus/IaeaIran/index.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_nuclear_program (sources should be checked)
http://www.state.gov/t/us/rm/63121.htm
Bibliography
Albright, David. "An Iranian Bomb?" The Bulletin. July-Aug. 1995. 20 June 2006
.
"Atoms for Peace." NARA. 20 June 2006 .
Heinrich, Mark. "EU Ready to Discuss Russia Plan with Iran." Iran Focus. 21 Nov. 2005. 20
June 2006 .
"In Focus : IAEA and Iran." News Center. June 2006. IAEA. 20 June 2006
.
"Iran-EU Agreement on Nuclear Programme." News Center. 14 Nov. 2004. IAEA. 20 June 2006
.
"Iranian Revolution." Wikipedia. 20 June 2006
.
Neisloss, Liz. "EU3 Pushing Incentives Plan for Iran." CNN. 10 May 2006. 20 June 2006
.
"Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty." Wikipedia. 20 June 2006
.
"Nuclear Program of Iran." Wikipedia. 20 June 2006
.
"Timeline: US-Iran Ties." BBC News. 31 May 2006. 20 June 2006
.
"US Offers Direct Talks with Iran." BBC News. 31 May 2006. 20 June 2006
.
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