nuclear Nonproliferation

Turkey is a member of several international nonproliferation treaties and organizations. It has supported to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons and furthermore suggested to establish a nuclear-weapon free zone in the Middle East. In contrast to its nonproliferation policies, it is hosting US tactical nuclear warheads in its own territory. In addition, Turkey's positive stance towards Iranian nuclear program was questioned. Despite the West's warnings and concerns over the Iranian nuclear program, Turkey has supported Iran's right to have a peaceful nuclear program as suggested in the Nonproliferation Treaty. It also opposed to further economic sanctions and military intervention against Iran and endorsed diplomatic solution as the only viable option for convincing Iran to respond fully to the concerns of the international community. Therefore, Turkey welcomed the Geneva Agreement reached by Iran and P5+1. This article argues that the current uncertainties about the Geneva Accord and the comprehensive treaty necessitates Turkey to revise its nonproliferation policies, which should be based on the norm of nonproliferation, rather than the non-use and deterrence norms, in order to suggest long-term and permanent solution to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Undoubtedly, the Iran’s nuclear program has progressed significantly in the past decade, in line with Iran’s 2006 announcement that it would, in addition to the conclusion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, begin enriching uranium. Currently, Iran has a robust nuclear infrastructure, including uranium mining, milling, conversion, and enrichment capabilities. Iran is also thinking to construct more nuclear power plant in order to reduce the consumption of oil and gas for electricity generation. However, the most controversial dimension of its nuclear program has been Iran’s effort to build up its enrichment capabilities, which could be used to produce highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon, without informing in advance to the IAEA, in accordance with its obligations as a state party to the NPT. This includes developing, constructing and implementing an extensive enrichment program comprising nearly 20,000 gas centrifuges at three major facilities. The adoption of a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will provide to the international community that the whole Iranian nuclear program is for peaceful purpose only.