BOTTOM LINES:
- Ultimately, we have three options on Iran: (1) Acquiesce to its
nuclear program and try to contain it, (2) Negotiate a deal, or (3)
Launch military strikes. - Both acquiescence and military strikes would pose major risks to U.S. and international security.
- Zero centrifuges in Iran would be the best outcome for the U.S. and
international security. But there is virtually no chance that Iran will
agree to zero enrichment in response to any set of sanctions and
inducements the United States can plausibly put together. Insisting on
zero will mean no agreement, leaving the world with the risks of
acquiescence or military strikes. - It is time to begin thinking about what the least bad options might
look like. Allowing some enrichment on Iranian soil may offer the
lowest risks to U.S. security of the many bad options now available.
