ABSTRACT
In 2002, an Iranian exile opposition group revealed the existence of nuclear facilities in Iran that had been undeclared to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). When Iran was found in non-compliance of first UN resolutions and exhibiting insufficient transparency with the IAEA, international sanctions were imposed soon after. Years of missed opportunities, stonewalling, and tactical deceptions on different sides followed (Porter 2014). As a reflection of the fruitlessness of diplomatic engagements, the UN Security Council adopted six resolutions on Iran's nuclear programme between 2006 and 2010, of which four imposed international sanctions that included trade and financial restrictions, travel bans and asset freezes against Iranian individuals, as well as arms embargoes. The final contours of Iran's nuclear status will have far-reaching implications for the future of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), global security governance and the regional security architecture. This introduction also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book.
