Implications of Iran’s Nuclear Programmes on Peace and Security of the Middle East

Abstract

This study analyzed the implication of Iran’s nuclear programs on peace and security of
the Middle East from 2002 to 2018 with a view to establishing how the Iranian nuclear
program contravenes the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty; ascertaining whether there is a
nexus between nuclear proliferation and escalation of Terrorism in the Middle East or not;
investigating how the Iran’s nuclear program shapes Balance of power in the Middle East
region. Using the balance of power theory and time series design, documentary method of
data collection and qualitative descriptive method of analysis; this dissertation discovered,
among other things, that Iran’s nuclear program contravened the nuclear non-proliferation
treaty; that there is nexus between nuclear proliferation and escalation of terrorism in the
Middle East; Iran’s nuclear program seems to largely reshape the balance of power in the
Middle East having conducted nuclear tests that proved their capability. Consequently, this
study recommends among other things that the United National Security Council (UNSC)
should allow the International Security institution such as Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty
(NPT) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to function rather than preempt
its actions through the influence of European Union three Countries (EU3) and United
Nations five permanent members plus Germany (P5+ 1) members who felt threatened by
the Iranian nuclear enrichment program.