Iran’s Strategy in Pursuing Uranium Enrichment Technology: Causes & Consequences

This article intends to explain the process of Iran’s access to uranium enrichment technology and the factors behind the Islamic Republic’s strategic decision to pursue this program. Iraq’s invasion as well as arms embargo and economic sanctions at the beginning of 1980s gave the newly-established Islamic Republic the valuable lesson that it has to get strong and create a durable deterrence without violating international law and its global obligations. The key goal of this article is to respond to the question of what was Iran’s objective in pursuing uranium enrichment technology and what requirements compelled it to set foot on this costly path? Findings of this research on the basis of historical research method show that Iran enriched uranium with the goal of obtaining a powerful, credible and legal leverage within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and creating legitimate deterrence so that foreigners won’t mull the idea of military attack or regime change. Achievement of nuclear hedging capability gave Iran an opportunity not only to display its technological capability as a source of national pride and a symbol of self-esteem but also increase its bargaining power at the global stage. This research concludes that Iran, by achieving perfection in uranium enrichment and adopting a policy of “constructive interaction”, forced the West to recognize the Islamic Republic as it is and reach a grand bargain with Iran.