By Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi, AIC President

Abstract

The Middle East is engulfed in a sustained conflict spanning over 70 years with no end in sight. The core contributing factor is the imbalance of power between nuclear-armed Israel and its regional adversaries. Achieving peace will require a balance of power, akin to the nuclear equilibrium established between Pakistan and India. Currently, I trust, Iran is the only country determined to build nuclear weapons and it will ultimately build the bomb. This essay outlines the arguments for and against a nuclear Iran. Considering global and regional experiences, proponents appear to hold a more valid, albeit unpopular, argument. In pursuing nuclear capabilities, Iran must overcome significant challenges and meet stringent prerequisites, which are detailed in this essay. As Iran cannot be stopped to build nuclear weapons, Washington is better advised to coopt rather than confront Tehran. This is a risk well worth taking. I conclude that, for peace and economic growth, the Islamic Republic must relinquish its hostility towards the United States and Israel, as well as its support for radical proxies. Such changes, in exchange for nuclear capabilities, would foster Iran's self-reliance and prompt the regime to adopt a more peaceful stance towards its citizens, the region, Israel, the US, and the international community