Iran’s Nuclear Program Sparks Nuclear Arms Race Throughout Arab, Muslim WorldArab Leaders Voice Concerns about Iran and its Nuclear Program
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived in Riyadh Nov. 17 for talks with Saudi King Abdullah.[1] Among other topics, the two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on halting Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons,[2] a prospect that Saudi Arabia and France alike consider a major threat.[3] They will also discuss a French-Saudi agreement on Saudi Arabia’s nascent nuclear energy program; Saudi Arabia is planning construction of its first nuclear reactor.[4] Please see below for more about how Iran’s nuclear program has sparked a nuclear arms race in the Muslim world.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Sparks Nuclear Arms Race Throughout Arab, Muslim World
Iran’s continued defiance of the international community's efforts to halt its nuclear program has sparked Arab and Muslim countries to develop their own nuclear programs.[5]
For almost 20 years, Iran hid its nuclear weapons development program from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and denied its existence.[6] Then, in August 2002, the program’s existence was exposed by an exiled opposition group, the People’s Mujaheddin Organization of Iran.[7] Only then did Iran inform the IAEA of its plans to pursue its nuclear energy program, specifically that it was "embarking on a long-term plan….to construct nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 6,000 MW (megawatts) within two decades."[8]
Following (in alphabetical order) is a list of Arab and Muslim countries developing nuclear programs in the wake of Iran’s continued push to enrich enough uranium to produce a nuclear weapon.
Algeria
February 2009: Algerian Energy and Mines Minister Chakib Khelil announces Algeria will establish a nuclear power plant by 2020.[9] In addition, Algeria plans on building a new reactor "every five years."[10]
November 2008: Argentina signs a deal with Algeria to cooperate on nuclear energy development.[11]
June 2008: France signs a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Algeria, its former colony.[12]
June 2007: Algeria signs a nuclear cooperation pact with the United States that permits cooperation between Algeria and U.S. laboratories and researchers.[13]
January 2007: Algeria and Russia strike a deal on future cooperation in nuclear energy technology.[14]
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived in Riyadh Nov. 17 for talks with Saudi King Abdullah.[1] Among other topics, the two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on halting Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons,[2] a prospect that Saudi Arabia and France alike consider a major threat.[3] They will also discuss a French-Saudi agreement on Saudi Arabia’s nascent nuclear energy program; Saudi Arabia is planning construction of its first nuclear reactor.[4] Please see below for more about how Iran’s nuclear program has sparked a nuclear arms race in the Muslim world.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Sparks Nuclear Arms Race Throughout Arab, Muslim World
Iran’s continued defiance of the international community's efforts to halt its nuclear program has sparked Arab and Muslim countries to develop their own nuclear programs.[5]
For almost 20 years, Iran hid its nuclear weapons development program from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and denied its existence.[6] Then, in August 2002, the program’s existence was exposed by an exiled opposition group, the People’s Mujaheddin Organization of Iran.[7] Only then did Iran inform the IAEA of its plans to pursue its nuclear energy program, specifically that it was "embarking on a long-term plan….to construct nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 6,000 MW (megawatts) within two decades."[8]
Following (in alphabetical order) is a list of Arab and Muslim countries developing nuclear programs in the wake of Iran’s continued push to enrich enough uranium to produce a nuclear weapon.
Algeria
February 2009: Algerian Energy and Mines Minister Chakib Khelil announces Algeria will establish a nuclear power plant by 2020.[9] In addition, Algeria plans on building a new reactor "every five years."[10]
November 2008: Argentina signs a deal with Algeria to cooperate on nuclear energy development.[11]
June 2008: France signs a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Algeria, its former colony.[12]
June 2007: Algeria signs a nuclear cooperation pact with the United States that permits cooperation between Algeria and U.S. laboratories and researchers.[13]
January 2007: Algeria and Russia strike a deal on future cooperation in nuclear energy technology.[14]
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