




































American International Journal of Social Science Research; Vol. 2, No. 1; 2018 

ISSN 2576-103X  E-ISSN 2576-1048 

Published by Centre for Research on Islamic Banking & Finance and Business 

 
 

62 

Iran’s Nuclear Decision Making and the Issue of Nuclear Non-

Proliferation in the International System 
 

 

Ibrahim Suleiman
1
, Hamza Shehu Mohammed

1 
& Haruna Mohammed Haruna

1 

 
1
Department of Political Science Bauchi State University,Gadau Nigeria. 

Correspondence: Ibrahim Suleiman, Department of Political Science Bauchi State University, Gadau Nigeria. 

E-mail: isuleiman@basug.edu.ng. Tel: +2348060287718 

 

 

Received:  January 12, 2018                   Accepted: January 18, 2018              Online Published: January 21, 2018   

 

 

 

Abstract 

This paper studies the reason for Iran’s nuclear decisions making by using the realist approach in the 

international politics, also the issue of nuclear non-proliferation in the international system and why the 

international system is totally against the Iran’s nuclear program? The study employs both primary and 

secondary sources as a method of data collection. The study reveals that that national interest should come first 

before any collective ones. The process which decisions are made is only determined by self-serving interests of 

those who possess power in the international system. The realist school of thought provides the critical opinions 

propounded by various political science scholars on power politics and national interest in the international 

system. According to Hans Morgenthau a classical realist scholar, society has to be governed generally by 

objective laws which are rooted in human nature. To him theory is necessary so that to bring order in the 

international politics, he rejected the idea of liberalism and idealism. Theory has to reflect the objective laws 

like power, military, diplomacy and norms of the society. First of all we have to look at the human nature which 

is seen as a rational, we have to examine through individual, group, and societal level because naturally human 

nature is selfish. Morgenthau defined the state as a collection of human beings who are self-interested, thus the 

state will have to deal with order interested states in the world politics. The aim of state in the international 

politics is pursuing national interest which is basically about power. He viewed international politics as a 

struggle for power.Thus, the realist scholars maintained that in the international politics, states happened to be 

the key actors and that politics is a conflictual, a struggle for anarchical environment in which nation-states 

defend on their own capabilities to survive. 

 

Keywords: Iran’s nuclear, Realist theory, Non-proliferation & International System. 

 

1. Introduction 

International relations can be defined as the interaction between two or more countries in the international 

system. In the international system no country can exist in isolation hence, countries must interact with each 

other in order to satisfy their needs in terms of interest which include economic, political, military and 

diplomatic issues. International relations are the process whereby different sovereign nation-states will interact 

and transact with each other in many issues. Thus, this paper is going to examine the reason for Iran nuclear 

decisions making by using the realist approach in the international politics, also the effects of this weapon to 

international system and why the international system is totally against the Iran’s nuclear program? Morgenthau 

opines that national interest should come first before any collective ones. The process which decisions are made 

is only determined by self-serving interests of those who possess power in the international system. The realist 

school of thought provides the criticalopinions propounded by various political science scholars on power 

politics and national interest in the international system (Art, and Jervis, 2005). 

2. Objectives of the Paper 

 To examine the reasons for developing nuclear weapon by Iran. 

 To examine the issue of nuclear non-proliferationin the international system. 

 To examine the ways of deterring nuclear proliferation in the International System. 

3. Questions of Investigation 

 What are the reasons for developing nuclear weapon by Iran? 

 How does nuclear proliferation will affect the security of International system? 

 What are the possible ways of deterring nuclear proliferation in the International System? 



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4. Research Method 

This study used qualitative approach base on content analysis and data collected from various sources. The 

primary sources include data from media reports, which include radio, newspapers, and magazines. Whereas, 

secondary sources include data collected from text books, journals, and scholars contribution. 

5. Theoretical Perspectives 

Realismis one of the dominant theories of international relations after the end of the Second World War. Hans 

Morgenthau one of the classical realist scholar posit that society has to be governed generally by objective laws 

which is rooted in human nature. To him theory is necessary so that to bring order in the international politics, 

he rejected the idea of liberalism and idealism. He argued that theory has to reflect the objective laws like 

power, military, diplomacy and norms of the society. According to him first of all we have to look at the human 

nature which he sees as a rational, we have to examine through individual, group, and societal level because 

naturally human nature is selfish. Morgenthau defined the state as a collection of human beings who are self-

interested, thus the state will have to deal with order interested states in the world politics.Theaim of state in the 

international politics is pursuinga national interest which is basically about power. He viewed international 

politics as a struggle for power(Morgenthau, 1954). 

The realist scholars maintained that in the international politics states happened to be the key actors and that 

politics is a conflictual, a struggle for anarchical environment in which nation-states defend on their own 

capabilities to survive. Nation-states exist in a condition of legal sovereignty in which there are degrees of 

capabilities with greater or lesser states as actors; states can be seen as unitary actors in the international system 

and there is diversity between domestic policyand foreign policy. As rational actor state characterised by a 

decision-making process leading to choice based on national interest; and power is consider the most important 

concept in explaining state behaviour.The concept of balance of power can be seen by the realist scholars as the 

mechanism of regulating the behaviour of nation-states in the international system, also as a tool of mitigating 

the anarchical structure of the world politics.  

Hans Morgenthau observed that aspirations for power among several nations where by each state is trying to 

maximise its own power in order to maintain or to attain the hegemonic status leads to configuration which is 

called balance of power.Balance of power is necessary for the existence of society in order to reduce the 

competition and brings harmony in the international system. Without balance of power in international politics, 

one element or state may gain ascendency over the other nations encroach their interests and rights, and may 

ultimately destroy them. Thus, it became necessary for the nation-states to have a kind of mechanism or tool that 

can stabilize the system without destroying the multiplicity of nation-states in the international arena 

(Morgenthau, 1954). 

Balance of power can be seen by reducing the capability of states who are trying to get more power by 

possessing nuclear weapon and military strength in order to compete with the hegemons in the international 

system. Iran is an example, whereby she is trying to acquire nuclear weapon for self-defence and dominate the 

Middle East region. Balance of power can also be consider by increasing the military strength of nation-state in 

order to balance its power or to possess the same capability with its rival, during the period of cold war both the 

United States and Russia possess nuclear capability, and the US strength is more than the Soviet Union but they 

agree to manage their rivalry not to engage themselves into war.There are different ways of applying balance of 

power such as divide and rule, compensations, disarmament and alliance. 

Therefore, for the purpose of this paper, disarmament method can be use in order to analyse the issue of Iran 

nuclear weapon, and to explain how the major powers are trying to stop Iran especially the United States of 

America (Ibid).Armament is the process or mechanism used by the major powers in order to reduce the military 

capability of the nation-states under the leadership of united nation. The issue of armament became necessary as 

a result of fear, suspicious and insecurity in the international politics. The techniques of stabilizing balance of 

power through the means of reduction of armaments require a quantitative evaluation and influence of the other 

major powers which is mostly cannot be realised. The issue of Iran can only be challenge by the United States 

and the other major powers. 

6. Reasons Foriran’s Nuclear Programme 

The nuclear programme according to the Iranian perspective was peaceful in order to generate energy for its 

domestic usage and not for building or enriching nuclear weapon. In many occasion, Tehran government insist 

on that decision. Since 1970 at that time the relationship between Iran and United States was peaceful, the 

United States secretary of state Henry Kissinger alleged that the planning to acquire nuclear power would 

contribute to economyof Iran also help the remaining oil reserves to petrochemicals.However, after the Iranian 

revolution, the American perception on Iran is totally changed. The US assert that there is no needfor a state that 

have oil and gas like Iran to build or generate nuclear fuel cycle facilities, Iran was accused of pursuing nuclear 

weapon program secretly since it has no need for nuclear energy because of its oil resources. In 1970s, 

government of Iran under President Shah Reza regimes were allowed to pursue its nuclear programme 

peacefully under NPT’s provisions. However, after the revolution and consequently in this millenniumduring 



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the radical regime of PresidentAhmadinejad,Iran were notgiven the chance to pursue the nuclear program as 

greed in 1970s (Wohlforth, 1999). 

The Effects of Nuclear Proliferation in the International System 

The US strongly believed that the uranium enrichment program by Iran is aimed at producing materials for 

nuclear weapons.Hence, American government calls for international attention and hash policies of sanctions 

against Iran in order to suspend its nuclear programme. Since 2003 the IAEA is investigating Iran up to 2011, 

with the aim of verifying the Iran’s nuclear programme and its intention. The United Nations supervisory panel 

up to now can’t judge the intention of Iran nuclear programme which the US sees as an intention of producing 

nuclear weapon and threatening the peaceful coexistence of Middle East and international system. 

Thecall for strikes against Iran by the US became necessary due to the threat of Iran’s actions in challenging 

American interests particularly in Middle Eastern region.The United States maintained that developing nuclear 

weapon by Iran will threating the peace and tranquillity of the middle East and serve as a tools for fuelling the 

conflict within the region, also threatening the peace and harmony of the international system because Iran has 

been accusedof sponsoring terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. America being a friend to Israel 

doesn’t want Iran to become regional hegemons and threating the security of Israel. They US always want to 

protect the interest of Israelian states against the Palestinian government especially in the United Nations 

Security Council. 

7. The Possible Ways of Deterring Nuclear Proliferation  

The nuclear proliferationis premised upon the realist approach to the international system. Realism evaluates the 

consequences of political actions in order to have benefit of politics. John Mearsheimer provides an explanation 

about the behaviour of nation-state in the international system, he opined that the international politics is an 

anarchy; where by the great powers possess some offensive military strength; and states can never trust each 

other’s intentions. Moreover, survival of the states in the international politics is one of the primary goals of any 

great power thus great powers consider themselves as rational actors by studying the external environment and 

think strategically in order to survive  (Mearsheimer,2001). 

Kenneth Waltz sees self-help as the only mechanism that will help the states to survive and fulfill its national 

interest and also provides for their own security in an anarchic order of the world politics. The only way that can 

achieve security is through defensive position or deterrence. The model calls for building defences in order to 

become strong enough with the view of preventing anyone from even trying to overcome your military 

capability. However, in this nuclear era it seems to be very difficult since no regulations can limit the influence 

of a nuclear offensive. Therefore, the only solution to state is to build counterstrike retaliatory forces to any 

danger of attacks or threat to their own security especially from external environment. Deterrence mechanism 

can only be achieved through two ways, the ability of state to defend also its ability to punish in the international 

system (Waltz, 1979). 

Therefore, based on the above notion, also in thisunequal balance of nuclear power, the state that doesn’t have 

nuclear capability lacks the defensive ability to prevent any nuclear attackwhereas; the state that owns nuclear 

capability has the ultimate preventive means against conventional threats. Hence, with regard to the argument of 

realist scholars, the United States and other major powers they should play a role in tackling the Iran nuclear 

decision and other nation-states like North Korea and the like. The US being a hegemonic power has the 

capability to deter the actions of Iran with the cooperation of the other major powers.The threats of nuclear 

weapon today are not from the major powers as like during the cold war rather from the emerging powers. 

Furthermore, in this era of suicide bombing where by non-states actors are struggling to have nuclear weapon, 

they should be deterred from getting it and the US has the capacity to deter any states that provides weapons or 

financial support to terrorist groups. The U.S. means of tackling problemsof nuclear proliferation and terrorism 

focused on denial,such as securing moveableweapons, materials,and deny any access to it, also by making it 

very difficult for terrorist’s to succeedin their actions.Stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, particularly to 

states such as Iran willbrings peace, harmony and regional non-proliferation. As a result of increased in the 

number of nuclear powers, the potentiality for spreading the weapon to non-state actors as well as the danger of 

using it, is a threat to international harmony.The Iran use of uranium in order to have nuclear energybrings about 

risk in the fuel cycles and nuclear weapons programs in the long-run. 

In one occasion, President Barrack Obama maintained that the US must retain a sound nuclear preventive major 

in order to curtail the intension of nation-state.Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is useful in gaining the support 

domestically for theirIslamic regime. Thoughthe government of Iran are notresponsible to the people effectively, 

nevertheless, the government usecleric’s popularity and support in order to reduce the tensions against their 

regime. They use religion as a tool in order to overcome economic, political, and social problems, the Islamic 

elites look for opportunities to changethe minds of Iranian people. They successfully construct that nuclear issue 

in terms of nationalism, enlightens their citizen about any opposition against the Iran nuclear weapons will be 

consider an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Iran by the west especially the United Statesof America 

(CNN, 2014). 



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Moreover, Iran’s continue increasing its military capability and consider any international efforts to enforce the 

requirements of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as western discrimination 

against them.Therefore, the United States insisted that Iran has the capability of producing nuclear weapon as a 

result of assessment conducted by the United Intelligent Council which concludes that Tehran tried to develop 

nuclear weapon by using the tactic negotiations delay in order to reach its target. Despite many negotiation talks 

with regard to the Iran nuclear weapon, up to now agreement cannot be reached about its programme. 

Sometimes the leaders of Iran provoked the Westerns countries with the statement about the calling for the 

elimination of Israel, and in many occasion this will become a stumbling block to the negotiation talks. In the 

last sitting of the five major powers such as Russia, China, Britain, France, US, and Germany with Iran on 24
th

 

November, in Vienna they all agreed that the discussion will be extend for seven more months in order to give 

chance for comprehensive agreement that will end up a 12 years dispute on Iran nuclear programme. They 

looked at the deal which they have signed in Geneva last year November and it will remain in place during the 

course of negotiations until July 1, 2015  (BBC, 2014).  

8. Conclusion 

The issue of nuclear weapon became a debatable topic of discussion in the international world politics. Even last 

week, negotiation talks took place in Vienna which comprises the representatives of the five major powers plus 

Germany together with Iran representative. The major powers demanded Iran to suspend its nuclear programme 

in order to give room for lifting its economic sanctions by the UN. The Iran representative argued that Iran 

doesn’t have any intention to acquire nuclear weapon rather its programme is purely energy related. Therefore, 

the issue of deterring country from acquiring nuclear weapon is verysignificant in order not toallow the 

proliferation of weapons not only tostate actors but to non-state actors such as terrorist organisation like ISIS, 

AL Qaeda and Boko Haram in Nigeria. 

References 

Art, J. R. & Jervis, R. (2005) International Politics: Enduring concepts and contemporary issues, seven edition; 

New York. 

BBC Iran nuclear talks: http//www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30149325  (Accessed 25
th

11 2014). 

CNN Iran nuclear deal limits ability to create nuclear weapons: http//www.cnn.com/2014/11/12/politics/iran-

congress, (Accessed 20
th

 11 2014). 

Mearsheimer, J. (2001) World offensive realism and the struggle for security; A Review Essay: The tragedy of 

great power politics. New York. 

Morgenthau, H.J. (1948) Politics among Nations: The struggle for power and peace, 2
nd

eds, New York: Alfred 

A. Knopf. 

Morgenthau, H.J. (2005) “Six principles of political realism”: in Art & Jervis op. cit. p 7-13. 

International Politics: Enduring concepts and contemporary issues, seventh edition:New York. 

Waltz, K.N. (1979) Theory of International Politics; Reading mass: Addison Wesley. 

Wohlforth, W. C.(1999) The stability of a Unipolar World; International Security: 21, 1:1. 

 

 

 

 

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Copyright for this article is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal.  

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 

license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 
 

 


