Security Guarantees Will Work

Iran, a nation located in the Middle East that is developing its nuclear technology, should be offered a security guarantee from the United States.

Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, claims this technology is entirely peaceful. "We do not believe in nuclear weapons, period. It goes against the whole grain of humanity," he said.

Many are suspicious of Iran's nuclear development, due to its support of terrorism and its threat to wipe the nation of Israel off of the map. "Capability equals threat," said Anthony Saputo, a Piedmont College freshman. "Iran's president has lied before, and I don't think he can be trusted."

According to research done by Andrew Kent, an associate professor of law, the Bush Administration is seriously contemplating attacking Iran if they do not stop proliferating.

An attack against Iran would not be entirely successful. According to Michel Chossudovsky, the Director of the Center for Research on Globalization, if attacked, Iran would retaliate. "Iran has a broad arsenal of weapons," said Chossudovsky. He also believes that attacking Iran could harm United States progress in Iraq.

One of the only ways to solve the current situation in Iran is to offer them a security guarantee.

"The only reason Iran is arming itself is out of a security threat, but we won't offer them a security guarantee; a perception that America is no longer a security risk would remove the nuclear threat," said Professor Sagan of Stanford University.

Offering Iran a security guarantee would mean protecting them from enemy strikes. If they are in fact creating an arsenal of nuclear weapons, they would be doing so for their own security purposes. According to Sagan, Iran sees the United States as a threat. Removing this threat would leave them with no reason to continue their proliferation.

Also, the United States is the world's superpower. The United States is the best choice for security, and according to Jahangir Amuzegar, an economic ambassador to Iran's pre-1979 government, Iran wants a security guarantee. "Doesn't matter who gives them the deal. Iran just wants a deal," said Amuzegar.

If we offer Iran, a country with capability to produce nuclear weapons, this security guarantee, it would remove the United States and its allies as a threat. If Iran takes the offer, they may stop their proliferation.

Diplomatic engagement can truly effect the progress of peace.