Political Science

Political Science

Introduction

Nuclear program of Iran began during the 1950s. Since mid 1970s, USA has been expressing concerns over Iran's potential of nuclear enrichment. Currently the main source of concern for the world is Iran's construction of centrifuge based uranium enrichment. Centrifuges which have been using to create uranium 235 isotope are able to produce both low enriched uranium (LEU) and high enriched uranium (HEU). LEU can be used in power reactors where as HEU is one of the fissile materials used in nuclear weapons .

Attainment of fissile material is considered as the most difficult task in building nuclear weapons. According to the sources Iran has produced enough amounts of LEU and HEU that can help its nuclear plant to flourish. Iran's nuclear program has created considerable concerns that it is pursuing a nuclear weapons program although Iran says that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. United Nation's Security Council tried to force Iran to back out of its nuclear program, but Iran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment made U.N to impose sanctions on Tehran It has still continued to work on heavy water reactor, which is of deep concern because spent fuel on it contains plutonium which is another type of fissile material and helps in development of nuclear weapons

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continuously monitoring Iran's nuclear program so that it can verify that Iran's declared nuclear facilities have not been turned towards the military purposes. But the agency still has some concerns regarding Iran's nuclear program because it may have induced in activities which is directly applicable to the development of nuclear weapons. According to the assessment of U.S, Tehran possesses the capability to produce nuclear weapons, but it still has some technological lapses to build them. There are various kinds of intelligence disciplines use to collect information. Major five types are discussed below.

Human Intelligence (HUMINT)

It is the collection of information from human sources. This information can be collected openly such as intelligence agents' interview suspects or witnesses or it may be done through secret or hidden means (espionage). Collecting HUMINT within USA is the responsibility of FBI where as collecting information beyond USA is the responsibility of CIA or other U.S. components abroad.

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)

SIGINT refers to electronic transmission. It can be collected planes, ships, ground sites or satellites. SIGINT has another type, COMINT which refers to the communication interception between two parties. Primarily gathering the signal intelligence activities is the responsibility of the National Security Agency.

Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT)

It is also known as photo intelligence (PHOTOINT). It was earliest adopted during the civil war when soldiers were sent up in the balloons to gather the information of their surroundings. It was practiced a lot in World War I and II when both sides captured photographs from plane. Today, the National Reconnaissance Office builds, operates and designs imagery satellites.

Measurement and Signatures Intelligence (MASINT)

It concerns with the industrial activities and weapon capabilities. MASINT processes the data collected from airborne and overhead IMINT and SIGINT collection ...