Sanctioning Iran

Since the early 2000s considerable attention has been focused on Iran’s nuclear ambition. While the US and the West claim that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, Iran categorically denies these accusations and asserts that its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, especially generating electricity to meet future energy demands. For an amicable solution to the current crisis, it is necessary that both Iran and the West must make concessions to address the legitimate concerns of the other. Iran must address the concerns about the true nature of its nuclear programme, and the West must offer Iran a deal that respects its dignity and guarantees its national security. Iran must be ready to answer all of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) outstanding questions about the country’s nuclear programme and should offer for any intrusive inspections and monitoring of its facilities. Diplomacy and dialogue should always be preferred over any other means of dispute resolution and they must be resolutely pursued. Sanctions and coercion have never worked and are unlikely to work in the case of Iran. Military action would be counterproductive and dangerous and must be avoided.