Pressure, sanctions loom over Iran's nuclear program

Iran has faced increasing international pressure over its uranium enrichment program in an underground bunker at a Fodor Plant near Qom. The U.S. and many other countries are pushing for increased sanctions, including a possible sanction against oil.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is enriching uranium up to levels of 20 percent. Iran has to enrich uranium over 90 percent purity to get weaponsgrade material to build nuclear weapons.

Uranium is a heavy metal that can be used as a source of concentrated energy. It is a radioactive element that can also be used in nuclear weapons.

According to the World Nuclear Association, over 14 percent of the world's electricity is generated from uranium in nuclear reactors.

IAEA is the world's center of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the world's "Atoms for Peace" organization, better known as the "watch dog" of the world's nuclear material and practices. Recently, the organization disclosed that all nuclear material in the Fodor Plant remains under the agency's containment and surveillance.

"Environmental problems that could occur are nuclear reactors that have been seen in the past with Japan after the Tsunami hit," said Mark Potosnak, assistant professor of environmental sciences and studies. "Mining uranium could cause health impacts on humans and animals."

According to a statement by the White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, the United States was not surprised by the size and scope of Iran's nuclear program. President Barack Obama has stated that he is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as this would pose a threat not only to peace in the Middle East but also internationally, including Israel.

Kaveh Ehsani, assistant professor of international studies at DePaul said, "The attempt is to create an energy program, but it could potentially become more than that. The military confrontation is not the danger… the danger is the U.S. is carrying on a war with the economy, and it is hurting the private sector."

That is one of many problems Ehsani believes is causing friction between the U.S. and Iran.

The Obama administration contends that enriching uranium at these high levels will aid Iran in producing nuclear weapons quickly. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton repeatedly demanded that Iran stop with the program and come together to create negotiation strategies. She called for an open dialogue, although the White House has not ruled out military action.

Last Thursday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran was willing to restart talks on the issue, although Iran has repeatedly said that it would not end the country's nuclear enrichment program.

Iran continues to express that the program is not a threat to anyone, and the government has stated it is pursuing nuclear technology for peaceful civilian purposes only, such as generating electricity and creating medical isotopes for cancer patients.

The U.S. and others have pointed to the previous denial of Iran's nuclear program and resistance to international oversight as signs that it seeks to become a nuclear power.

Yet amidst growing tensions in the Middle East, the fear of a nuclear arms race in the region remains an international concern.

Jason Vaughn, a former United States Marine and employee of Transportation Security Administration, sees a fine line between the proper action and inaction.

"At this point I don't know if the American public is ready to support another war, but we also need to be prepared because we don't want another 9/11 to take place either," Vaughn said.