There is no larger issue currently threatening world order, including the standing of the United States, than that of Iran. The Iranian regime has been developing nuclear weapons for upward of 10 years, and is now on the verge of successfully creating its first nuke. Having enriched uranium to levels beyond those needed for what they call “medical purposes,” it is only a matter of time before the Iranian government attains weapons-grade enrichment levels.
Iran’s quest to become a nuclear power gravely threatens citizens of the United States, both at home and abroad. While the United States currently has numerous strategic allies in the region, these allies would be coerced by a nuclear Iran into working against the United States, ceding our regional influence to Iran.
Should Iran become a nuclear power, a nuclear arms race would ensue, further destabilizing the already volatile Middle East. Not only would a throng of countries seek to develop nuclear weapons as a result, Iran would give nuclear materials to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Do you want known terror organizations harboring similar grade weapons to those of the United States Army? Iran could also pass nuclear information to their South American allies, bringing the threat even closer to our home.
Even day-to-day lives of Americans would be impacted due to the price of oil. Should Iran attain a nuclear weapon, the price of oil will skyrocket to many times the already high price of today as a result of fear instilled by the Iranian regime on OPEC nations, leading them to reduce oil production.
Even during its recent talks with the P5+1 nations, Iran continues to flout international regulations and hide progress from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors in order to buy time. President Barack Obama, the entirety of the United States Senate, and members of both parties in the United States House of Representatives have agreed on the magnitude and urgency of the situation. The threat is real to us at home. We must speak out.
– Noah Goldstein is a freshman electrical engineering major. Evan Szymkowicz is a freshman journalism major.
