Even as nuclear talks have risen to the global scale, with countries such as Iran, China, Russia, and the U.S. beginning negotiations, Iran has continued to increase production of its uranium stockpile.
According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Iran has been a party of the Non-Proliferation Treaty since 1968, a treaty that prohibits the development, proliferation, or acquisition of nuclear weapons or technologies. Other notable parties to the NPT include China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with a total of 191 countries. However, countries such as South Sudan, India, Pakistan, and Israel have not signed onto the NPT, while North Korea withdrew in 2003. Despite the treaty, Iran has substantially increased its uranium stockpile, a key resource in nuclear weapons. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran’s uranium is enriched to 60%, with just 30% more needed to build an atomic bomb.
According to Reuters, on March 7, Trump initiated nuclear deal talks with Iran through a letter, signaling that he wanted to “…negotiate a deal.” He commented in the Oval Office, “I’m not sure that everybody agrees with me, but we can make a deal that would be just as good as if [Iran] won militarily.” Over an interview, he also threatened the use of force if discussions were declined, in addition to mentioning his sanctions as imposing “maximum pressure” on Iran, according to AP News.
Tensions escalated further when White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz stated in an interview with ABC News, “All options are on the table to ensure [Iran] does not have [a nuclear weapon]… They can either hand it over and give it up in a way that is verifiable, or they can face a whole series of other consequences.” As a result, Iran accused Trump of “bullying,” stating that he refuses to work with a “bullying government.”
As apprehension rises between the U.S. and Iran, China and Russia are stepping in to facilitate nuclear discussions between the three parties, without the U.S. On Friday, March 14th, spokesmen from China and Russia gathered to support Iran and called for the removal of sanctions. According to Reuters, China and Russia state how “Tehran’s right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be ‘fully’ respected” and agreed that Iran’s nuclear weapons would only be for peaceful purposes.
While the U.S. increases pressures on Iran, both China and Russia have demonstrated efforts to maintain multilateralism and international stability through diplomatic means. The path for the U.S. remains uncertain, as Iran’s response has been largely negative. The perception of “bullying” has provided an opportunity for other parties such as China and Russia to step in, bolstering their own international appearances. The only way to truly know Iran’s future is to observe its future actions and its uranium supply.
