LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND SOVEREIGN RIGHTS: THE CASE OF IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME

Abstract

Introduction: the nature of obligations varies in terms of compliance and liability. This point can be aptly illustrated in the case of Iran’s nuclear programme since Iran opted not to cooperate in presenting guarantees verifying that its nuclear programme would be peaceful. In the case of Iran’s nuclear programme, each significant actor has had its own instrument to deal with the problem of verifying the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities. Purpose: the paper aims to examine the relationship between legal obligations and state rights while studying the relations and cooperation between legal actors of significance contributing to the case of Iran’s nuclear programme. Methods: the author employed descriptive and qualitative analyses to study the content of legal documents and discover the correlations and dependencies. Results: the research has established that the assessments and resolutions on the case of Iran’s nuclear programme have been based on probability and assumptions, not on concrete evidence. The legal actors have failed to achieve a full balance between the rights and obligations. Conclusion: there is a need for new multilateral agreements to introduce legal obligations and commitments compatible with present circumstances and predictably flexible for monitoring of the developing situation while preserving Iran’s sovereign rights.