Iran is a member of the IAEA and is committed to the NPT. Why then are there objections to our legally recognized rights? Some [states] have abused nuclear technology for non-peaceful ends…and some even have a bleak record of using [bombs] against humanity…the abuse of the Security Council is indeed a source of grave concern.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, Speaking at the UN in 2006
A lot has happened involving Iran over the past week – Speeches at the UN, disclosures of hidden nuclear enrichment sites, and tests of long-range missiles. Can you keep track of it all? Could anything worse happen? Come join us on Wednesday at 7:30PM in SMG 304 as we simulate the United Nations Security Council, a key organization in this dilemma as member states try to find a compromise on whether and to what degree new sanctions should be placed on Iran.
BarMUN II is this weekend, October 1-4, 2009, but it’s still not too late to sign up to be a crisis staff member! Check out the BarMUN conference website for exciting information about committees or submit the application form to become a crisis staffer today!
Also, don’t forget about the opportunity to participate as a delegate in other schools’ conferences:
- Applications for Columbia University’s conference, CMUNNY are now open; please apply if you’re interested in going, or email the IAA account at iaa@bu.edu if you filled out a “senior application” earlier this year.
Background
The Secretary-General and the UN General Assembly can take the lead by undertaking necessary measures for the fulfillment of our shared goals on the basis of…reforming the structure of the Security Council, specially by abolishing the discriminatory privilege of veto right…and reforming the international political relations based on the promotion of lasting peace and friendship, eradication of arms race and elimination of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, Speaking at the UN in 2009
Even three years later, Ahmadinejad’s goals still remain changing the United Nations Security Council, in hopes of avoiding more intense sanctions. In Wednesday’s crisis meeting to prepare for BarMUN II, we shall take the role of member states of the UNSC while discussing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and whether to enforce more sanctions… and of course, if more developments in the story occur, then it’s our job to respond!
Controversial Iranian President Ahmadinejad spoke again at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday 23 September, giving a scathing criticism of Israel’s “genocide” of Palestinians that triggered a walkout by many states. Then on Friday, Presidents Obama and Sarkozy and Prime Minister Brown disclosed a memo from Iran acknowledging the presence of a hidden nuclear facility in this city. Finally, on Sunday, Iran tested two long-range missiles that they claimed could fire to distances as far as 2,000km away.
The range of Iran's missiles
Iran’s nuclear program has long been a point of contention among the permanent five members of the Security Council, or the “P-5″ – while the United States has consistently claimed that Iran is enriching uranium and seeking nuclear capabilities to produce warheads, some members such as the Russian Federation and PR China have largely stayed on the side of member states’ sovereignty and the right of Iran to nuclear energy to power its country in an environmentally sustainable way.
The secrecy of Iran’s program has made these claims difficult to support, especially considering developments over the past two weeks. Iranian officials assert that the disclosure of this nuclear facility was made at the correct time, at least six months before the opening of the nuclear facility.
The testing of Iranian long-range missiles on Sunday was not related to the nuclear disclosure; the test had been planned well in advance. However, given the sensitivity of any discussion related to Iran on the international table at this point, such missile firings appeared aggressive and almost mocking to the rest of the world.
Recent News Articles
September 25, 2009 – At U.N., Iranian’s Speech Draws Angry Words From Netanyahu
September 30, 2009 – U.N. Secretary General: Iran Violating Resolutions on Nuclear Activities
September 30, 2009 – Iran Chides U.N.’s Ban over nuclear comments
September 28, 2009 – Western Leaders Condemn Tests
September 28, 2009 – Iran Tests Missiles on Eve of Talks
September 26, 2009 – Israel calls for action on Iran
Focus Questions
1. Does Iran have a right to peaceful nuclear energy?
2. Was Iran trying to hide a “covert nuclear enrichment facility,” or was it within its rights?
3. Does any threat of nuclear weapons supersede Iran’s right to peaceful energy, or should it be considered “innocent until proven guilty”?
4. Is it the responsibility of the UN Security Council to rebuke Iran, or should it leave this decision to the group of six states that will be meeting with Iran about the issue on October 1st?
5. Should the UN Security Council impose new sanctions on Iran?
Presidents Obama and Sarkozy and Prime Minister Brown Accuse Iran of Hiding Nuclear Facility
President Ahmadinejad’s Speech before the UN
