Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2010

Geopolitics of the Iranian Nuclear Energy Program: But Oil and Gas Still Matter

Robert E. Ebel

March 2010

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Abstract

“The policies of Iran constitute perhaps the single greatest challenge for American security interests in the Middle East, and possibly around the world. . . .” So said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on October 24, 2007. What policies did Secretary Rice have in mind? The combination of terrorism, repression at home, and the pursuit of nuclear weapons technology. Opposition comes from former administration officials as well, who are equally convinced that Iran’s desire for nuclear weapons is one of the most urgent issues facing the United States today. And in a report released by the U.S. Department of State on April 30, 2009, Iran was characterized as the “most active state sponsor of terrorism” in the world.