Iran's nuclear ambitions are likely driven by multiple factors, from security concerns to domestic polices. However, political competition within Iran, rather than Israel's nuclear capabilities, plays a more significant role in driving Iran's nuclear ambition.

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The United States tried to convince Israel to join the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the treaty was first introduced and before it was widely believed that Israel had nuclear weapons. The NPT's objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology and further the goal of universal disarmament.

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Since the discovery of illicit Iranian nuclear facilities in 2002, the United States has sought to mobilize an international coalition to address the Iranian nuclear challenge through various coercions and incentives. UN member states agree that Iran is entitled to a civilian nuclear program for purposes of energy generation, but they require assurances that such a program is not going to be misused for military purposes.

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People love to talk about "red lines" for all sorts of challenges, and the Iranian nuclear program is no exception. The United States can, in principle, threaten stronger sanctions if Iran crosses certain red lines. It can threaten military action if Iran crosses others. But it's not clear that setting red lines—particularly in public, where failing to follow through on threats can be costly—is a productive course.

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A panel of experts discuss Iran's nuclear program.

Reza Aslan, CFR's adjunct senior fellow, leads a conversation on Iran and its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Matthew H. Kroenig and Trita Parsi debate whether an outside power should strike Iran to stop its nuclear program, as part of CFR's Third Annual Back-to-School Event.

Learn more about CFR's resources for the classroom at Educators Home.

Iranian minister of foreign affairs Ali Akbar Salehi discusses Iran's nuclear program, sanctions, and the country's relationship with the United States.

Robert D. Blackwill, CFR's Henry A. Kissinger senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy, discusses the issues and contingencies surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

A panel discussion marking the release of CFR's new ebook, Iran: The Nuclear Challenge. The essays in this volume, all authored by fellows in CFR's David Rockefeller Studies Program and edited by Robert Blackwill, inform readers on how, not what, to think about Iran's nuclear activities.

Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council, discusses the course of U.S.-Iran relations and escalating tensions surrounding the nuclear question.

Elliott Abrams and Dwight Bashir lead a conversation on the Iranian regime's persecution of members of the Baha'i faith.

Experts join college and graduate students for an interactive discussion on Iran during the unveiling of CFR's Crisis Guide: Iran, as part of the annual Back-to-School Event.

For historical context, speakers above are listed with their titles at the time of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Twenty years after Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, a panel of former administration officials discuss both their roles in and lessons learned from the Gulf War.

Filmmakers and experts discuss the HBO documentary For Neda, which illuminates the larger story of political struggle in Iran by focusing on the life of Neda Agha-Soltan, the woman whose death during last year’s protests drew international attention.

Listen to CFR's James M. Lindsay and Ray Takeyh discuss with students the complications of deterring a nuclear Iran, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Academic Initiative.

Listen to Ray Takeyh, CFR's senior fellow for middle eastern studies, and James Lindsay, CFR's director of studies, discuss nuclear proliferation and Iran's nuclear program in advance of high-level talks at the United Nations.