The Proliferation Crisis in the Middle East - A View from Iran

Nakhavali, Miad and Kostić Šulejić, Marina (2026) The Proliferation Crisis in the Middle East - A View from Iran. Romanian Review of Political Sciences and International Relations, 23 (1). pp. 190-210. ISSN 2285-2107

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Abstract

Although significantly slowed by the Israel-US military attacks, the Iranian nuclear program is not completely eliminated. The paper examines the nature of the international crisis related to the Iranian nuclear energy development and the main variables that might further drive this development, including in the military domain by developing nuclear weapons. Following a constructivist approach to international relations, the authors identify four main ideational variables that determine the possible development of Iranian nuclear weapons: External actors’ interest and policies in the Middle East till 1970s, including the introduction of nuclear energy in the Middle East; Regime type or the character of political system, including the decision-making on nuclear energy and weapons; Relation of the power-holders toward the Iranian past, and Nuclear energy policies of other actors in a region that are perceived as enemies of the Iranian regime, in particular the Israel policy of nuclear ambiguity. The authors conclude that, from Tehran’s perspective, nuclear development is not solely a security strategy aimed at deterrence but also a powerful symbol of national pride, defiance against foreign intervention, and a testament to the country’s resilience in the face of external pressure. They suggest that the efficient non-proliferation policy toward Iran would have to address all four variables, and that the instruments designed so far to address these issues lacked comprehensiveness that would include all four aspects of Iranian relation toward nuclear issues.

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