From FCNL - Holiday Conversation Guide about Iran

Nuclear Program

The Myth:

Iran has nuclear weapons, and the U.S. has to act militarily because Iran is threatening the U.S. and Israel.

The Facts:

Iran does not have nuclear weapons, and the assessment of U.S. intelligence in 2012 is that Iran has not made the decision to build them. Iran does have a nuclear energy program that provides electricity for homes and schools and a program for medical research using uranium. International inspectors who regularly monitor Iran’s uranium enrichment program with visits and surveillance cameras have expressed “serious concern” about Iran’s failure to be fully transparent about details of this program.

Israel

The Myth:

The US has to attack Iran to protect Israel.

The Facts:

Many former Israeli military and intelligence officials have stated publically that U.S. attack on Iran would increase violence in the Middle East and could ignite a regional war. This would make Israel less, rather than more, secure. Iran has not yet made the decision to develop a nuclear weapon, but some experts believe a military attack would push Iran into building a bomb.

Diplomacy

The Myth:

Diplomacy is impossible because Iran is bent on U.S. destruction.

The Facts:

Diplomacy isn’t easy, but it is the single most effective way to prevent war and a nuclear-armed Iran. Iran and the U.S. have a long history of miscommunication and conflict. Political statements in Iran and the U.S. often make negotiations difficult. Right now, many members of Congress want Iran to make concessions before talks even happen – if diplomacy was going to be that easy, we wouldn’t need talks in the first place! But many U.S. officials believe diplomacy is the only way to solve the conflict with Iran.

Sanctions

The Myth:

Economic sanctions are the best way to “defeat” Iran.

The Facts:

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Iran for more than 30 years -- yet during that time, conflict has only increased between our two countries. In the last few years, the U.S. has dramatically escalated sanctions on Iran in ways that are having a devastating impact on ordinary Iranians and have gravely undermined diplomatic efforts. Many experts believe more sanctions will pave the path to war. A new report signed by 36 former U.S. military officers and national security experts warns of the severe costs of escalating sanctions against Iran.