The definition of the ethical issue
The world is in its doubts concerning Iran’s nuclear program. The representatives of the world’s community are divided into two groups, those who support the position that Iran must stop its nuclear program, and those who oppose such a position explaining that as a sovereign country Iran has the right to choose what to do next. The opponents of Iran’s nuclear program explain that the country’s nuclear power is a threat for the peace in the world especially with regards to the fact that Iran is a Muslim country, and its laws assume murdering “unfaithful” as an act of righteousness in god’s eye (Stephens 2012). The ethical issue in this situation is rather complicated on the reason of its duplicity. On one side, Iran with its Islamic politics may present a very serious threat for the peace in the world, on the other side, Iran is an independent state having the right to make its own decisions (Rorrison 2012).
The facts relevant to the analysis of the ethical issue
The ethical issue concerning Iran’s intentions to develop a nuclear bomb is related to a number of facts helping see particular details relevant to the argument. First of all, Iran does not act in accordance with the international agreements concerning the safety of its military programs which was many times registered by the specialists from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (Kerr 2006, Sokolski 2004). Thus, the country is already on the list of dangerous members of the world’s community because its actions contravene its international obligations. This proves that Iran may well continue walking the dangerous past of offending its international promises which may be of great danger to the world. In addition, Iran does not open its nuclear facilities to the specialists of IAEA as it is agreed in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty which also suggests that the country’s leaders are not to be trusted (Ghafouri 2007, Quester 2006). Besides, the political situation in the country and in the countries of its neighbors is unstable which also adds to the problem.
The assumptions that are needed to fill the gaps in the available facts
To fill the gaps in the available facts, assumptions concerning the country’s real intentions are needed. It is important to understand the motivation behind the nuclear program of Iran.
The analysis of the ethical issue on the basis of act utilitarianism
According to the theory of act utilitarianism, before making certain conclusions concerning any particular decision it is important to understand the consequences of this decision. In the case of Iran’s nuclear program, the possible consequence of a wrong decision is a global threat to the peace and safety of the entire planet. Through the whole course of human history, Islamic countries, in general, proved their aggressive intentions concerning the rest of the nations of the planet. This fact is a strong reason for making an assumption that when an Islamic country possesses nuclear power it is a serious hazard for the world’s community.
Conclusion
Iran’s nuclear program is connected to a row of serious ethical issues. Iran is a sovereign country with the rights and freedoms the rest of the sovereign countries have. Judging from this point of view, interfering in the country’s domestic affairs is inappropriate and even illegal. However, from the other point of view, Iran willingly signed a number of important international agreements in the area of nuclear weapons, but its actions violate some of the resolutions which suggest that the country’s nuclear program may present a serious threat to the safety in the world.
References
Ghafouri, M 2007, ‘Iran and the West: Confrontation or Accommodation? Mahmoud Ghafouri Provides an Iranian Perspective on the Issue of Iran’s Nuclear Programme’, New Zealand International Review, vol. 32 no.6, pp.27-58.
Kerr, P 2006, ‘Questions Surround Iran’s Nuclear Program’, Arms Control Today, pp. 30-36.
Quester, G 2006, ‘Iran’s Nuclear Option: Tehran’s Quest for the Atom Bomb’, Parameters, vol. 36 no.1, pp.125-139.
Rorrison, D 2012, Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions, Web.
Sokolski, H & Clawson, P 2004, Checking Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions, Strategic Studies Institute, PA.
Stephens, B 2012, The Bogus Iran Intelligence Debate, Web.