"The introduction of nuclear power will both provide for the growing needs of Iran's economy and free remaining oil reserves for export or conversion to petrochemicals." -- Henry Kissinger, 1976
What if, as part of an effort to combat oil shortages in the seventies, the US and Iranian governments set up a joint program to build nuclear power plants across the country? In addition to just building them, the US would also provide training so that the plants could be run by Iranians, in addition to selling the Iranian government stockpiles of Uranium and Plutonium. The ultimate goal would, obviously, be to make as much of Iran's oil exportable as possible.
The first question seems to be: How does this affect the 1979 Revolution?
Does it happen at all? Is it sooner? Later? Is it still religious in nature? If there is still an anti-Shah, anti-US revolution, then what are the effects of a nuclear-powered, independent Iran?
Even if the revolution (or one like it) doesn't happen; what do the Soviets think about this? How does it affect life for the average Iranian? Of course the Iranian government will be spending a lot of money on this program -- what effect will that have? The inverse question to that is -- what effect will increased exportation have on the Iranian oil industry?
Would the Iranians attempt to develop nuclear weapons with or without the US's blessing? What would America's position be on an Iran with nuclear bombs or even ICBMs?
What if, as part of an effort to combat oil shortages in the seventies, the US and Iranian governments set up a joint program to build nuclear power plants across the country? In addition to just building them, the US would also provide training so that the plants could be run by Iranians, in addition to selling the Iranian government stockpiles of Uranium and Plutonium. The ultimate goal would, obviously, be to make as much of Iran's oil exportable as possible.
The first question seems to be: How does this affect the 1979 Revolution?
Does it happen at all? Is it sooner? Later? Is it still religious in nature? If there is still an anti-Shah, anti-US revolution, then what are the effects of a nuclear-powered, independent Iran?
Even if the revolution (or one like it) doesn't happen; what do the Soviets think about this? How does it affect life for the average Iranian? Of course the Iranian government will be spending a lot of money on this program -- what effect will that have? The inverse question to that is -- what effect will increased exportation have on the Iranian oil industry?
Would the Iranians attempt to develop nuclear weapons with or without the US's blessing? What would America's position be on an Iran with nuclear bombs or even ICBMs?
