March 10, 2004 :: Financial Times :: News
All too frequently, Americans hear that the only threat to the United States in the twenty-first century will come from terrorists. The reality, however, is that many nations continue to develop advances nuclear technologies despite UN sanctions and threats of suspended aid packages—and, in some cases, with the assistance of signatories to non-proliferation documents, such as Russia and China.
Despite U.S. protests, Iran continues to advance its uranium enrichment program that is capable of developing first-rate nuclear warheads. Officially, weapons technology is sold by Russia for use in civilian reactors but the degree of enrichment Iran has been trying to acquire is far more consistent with high yield nuclear weapons. Here, again, is yet another example that export controls and non-proliferation measures, while important and laudatory, may ultimately be insufficient in the absence of extraordinarily strong political will—and even in its presence. The former Soviet Union is a signatory of the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty, where it pledged “not in any way assist, encourage, or induce any non-nuclear-weapon state to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons.” Such is the reliability of paper restrictions on proliferation.
Once completed, Iranian nuclear warheads might be deployed on the Shahab-6 ballistic missile, the longest-range missile Iran is believed to have in development, which is believed to be able to travel some 6,000km. That Iran continues to pursue long range missiles to complement its nascent nuclear warheads is clear, as illustrated by their recent announcement of their intention to extend the range of the Shahab-3. (Article)
» Feb. 25, 2004: Iran upgrading range of Shahab-3
» Mar. 11, 2004: Russia opposes UN resolution against Iran
» More stories on: Iran, Proliferation
» Missile details: SS-1B 'Scud A'
