US policy toward Iran and North Korea's nuclear program; a comparative approach

Diplomacy, sanctions, and threats of force have been United States policy, in contrast to Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs since the early 1990s. This study using a documentary based and comparative approach to examine these dimensions of US policy. Despite the differences between the two countries in pursuing a nuclear program, Iran is under greater pressure than North Korea. Based on the theory of neoclassical realism, selected options for Iran and North Korea are influenced by systemic factors and internal factors. In addition to the interests of world powers (China and Russia), the interests of US regional allies in Northeast and Southwest Asia are important factors influencing Washington's policy on Iran and North Korea's nuclear program. Domestic factors also play an important role in explaining US policy; North Korea is capable of targeting US soil, but US officials believe North Korea will attack in response to the US and allied offensive. Americans see the ideology of the Islamic Republic as an enemy, and they think nuclear development, Increases the likelihood of an Iranian nuclear bomb, That would threaten US interests in the region and even in the world. Another point is that the Arab and Israeli lobbies are working to influence Congress to oppose any engagement with Iran. As a consequence of systemic and internal factors, the pressure on Iran is increasing and it is being reduced against North Korea.