2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

IRAN
According to the IAEA, Iran continues to experiment with polonium, an element primarily used to
trigger nuclear explosions and continues to block IAEA inspections of numerous nuclear facilities.
For more than three years, Iran has refused IAEA requests to explain any of these activities, other
than to dismiss the information as fabricated. Moreover, Iran reportedly conducted research and
tests on a neutron initiator using uranium deuteride (UD3). The only application for UD3 is as a
neutron source to trigger an atomic chain reaction in a nuclear warhead.
The Green Salt Project, an alleged clandestine Iranian effort focusing on uranium processing, high
explosives and a missile warhead design, remains a matter of serious concern. Iran has failed to
address questions about this project that the IAEA believes are critical to an assessment of the
possible military dimension of the country’s nuclear program.
Iran has also been conducting research and tests on technologies needed to deliver a nuclear
weapon, including the rapid advancement of its long-range ballistic missile and space program.
Iran Faces Tougher Sanctions After Rejecting Outreach Efforts
Upon taking office, President Obama made it a priority to reach out to Iran and seek a dialogue.
Despite the president’s efforts, Iran has failed to engage in significant, substantive talks with the United
States, the IAEA or the P5+1 (the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany).
While the U.S. remains open to talks, Iran’s refusal to engage in serious negotiations or suspend its
nuclear program has led the United States to impose dramatic new sanctions on Tehran.
The United States has imposed progressively escalating rounds of sanctions on Iran since the early
1990s. Initial efforts focused on preventing the transfer to Iran of components that might be used
in its nuclear or ballistic missile programs. More recent sanctions have focused directly on Iran’s
ability to conduct international business and generate revenue from its vast energy resources.
The Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2012, coupled with sanction provisions in the National Defense
Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013, place nearly the entire energy sector of Iran
under sanctions. The laws also effectively cut Iran off from the international financial system.
An important exemption to the sanctions was included in the laws for financial institutions
in countries that significantly reduce their purchases of Iranian oil. Largely as a result of this
provision, Iranian oil exports have been more than halved since the middle of 2012, resulting in
lost yearly revenue to the regime of more than $50 billion.
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