The Role of International Law and Politics in Resolving Iran's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Case
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The Role of International Law and Politics in Resolving Iran's Nuclear Non-Proliferation case A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Mahshid Yaraghi Esfahani Department of Politics, History and the Brunel Law School Brunel University London Abstract The international conflict over Iran’s nuclear programme continued for more than two decades before a negotiated settlement was finally reached. This thesis will explain why Iran has proved so resistant to compromise by analysing separate but related factors. Firstly, it will examine the historical roots of today’s nuclear co-operation and non-proliferation regime. It will argue that this regime has serious weaknesses and that a better alternative had been available but was rejected in the immediate post-war period. Secondly, it will look at the origins of Iran’s hostility to America and Israel, which emerged from a separate dispute with Britain, and which was indirectly related to the political decisions that were taken at the end of the World War II. Thirdly, it will analyse the reaction of international community to Iran’s nuclear programme and the rights of states to take unilateral countermeasures under the law of state responsibility. Finally, it will examine the negotiations that have been held between 2002 and 2015 which led to the agreement called the JCPOA. The more general aim of the thesis is to suggest that in conflicts between states which involve their core interests, international law plays a largely instrumental role in helping those states to achieve their political objectives. i Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................. i List of Abbreviations ........................................................................... iv AcKnowledgments .............................................................................. vii Dedication .......................................................................................... viii Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 Research Question, Hypothesis and Perspectives ........................................................... 2 Methodology of the Research .................................................................................................. 3 Limitations of the Research ..................................................................................................... 8 Structure of the Research ...................................................................................................... 10 Chapter One ........................................................................................ 13 The Failure of International Control of Nuclear Weapons .............. 13 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 13 1.2 Atomic Development Authority ................................................................................... 14 1.3 Debates for and Against the Use of Atomic Bombs ................................................ 20 1.4 Atomic Energy Commission ........................................................................................... 26 1.5 The Baruch Plan ................................................................................................................ 32 1.6 “The Man of Peace” ........................................................................................................... 35 1.7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter Two ........................................................................................ 41 How Iran Has Developed into a Threatening State.......................... 41 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 41 2.2 From the Qajar Dynasty to the Pahlavi Era .............................................................. 41 2.3 A Golden era in Persia ..................................................................................................... 45 2.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 52 Chapter Three ..................................................................................... 54 Iran’s Nuclear Issue and the International Community .................. 54 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 54 3.2 Iran’s Nuclear Dispute ..................................................................................................... 55 3.3 Iran’s Nuclear Programme Amongst Others ............................................................ 65 3.4 Intention to Use Nuclear Weapons .............................................................................. 72 3.5 Iran’s Nuclear Issue referred to the Security Council ........................................... 76 3.6 Iran’s Legal Arguments: The Unlawfulness of the Council’s Resolutions ....... 84 3.6.1 Article 39 of the United Nations Charter .......................................................................... 84 3.6.2 Inability to Issue Verification under the Safeguards Agreement and the IAEA Statute ......................................................................................................................................................... 90 3.6.3 The Right to Utilise Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes under the NPT: Article IV .................................................................................................................................................... 94 3.6.4. The Invocation of the Self-Determination Principle under International Law ..................................................................................................................................................................... 101 3.7 Western States’ Legal Arguments: Iran Violated the NPT ................................ 103 3.8 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 109 Chapter Four ..................................................................................... 112 ii The Right of an Injured State to Resort to Non-military Countermeasures ............................................................................. 112 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 112 4.2 The EU Restrictive Measures Against Iran ............................................................ 113 4.3 Legal Identification of EU Measures ........................................................................ 116 4.4 Definition of Countermeasures ................................................................................. 119 4.5 Conditions for the Lawfulness of Countermeasures .......................................... 122 4.6 The Existence of a Wrongful Act ................................................................................ 125 4.7 The Concept of an Injured State and a Non-Injured State ................................ 131 4.7.1 The Concept of a Non-injured State ................................................................................. 136 4.8 The Requirements of Proportionality ..................................................................... 140 4.9 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 144 Chapter Five ...................................................................................... 145 Legal Examination of Iran’s Nuclear Agreement: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ........................................ 145 5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 145 5.2 Understanding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action .................................. 147 5.2.1 The Joint Plan of Action (JPA) ............................................................................................. 147 5.2.2 The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ..................................................... 149 5.3 The Structure of the JCPOA ......................................................................................... 150 5.4 The JCPOA Implementation Timetable ................................................................... 151 5.5 Principal Provisions of the JCPOA ............................................................................ 154 5.5.1 The Enrichment of Uranium ............................................................................................... 155 5.5.2 Producing Plutonium ............................................................................................................. 157 5.5.3 Possible Military Dimensions (PMD) .............................................................................. 159 5.5.4 Joint Commission ..................................................................................................................... 161 5.5.5 Monitoring Process of Iran’s Fulfilled Commitments .............................................. 163 5.5.6 Procurement Channel ...........................................................................................................