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Al J. Venter
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Iran's Nuclear Option: Tehran's Quest for the Atom Bomb Kindle Edition

by Al J. Venter (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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“The most systematic exposition to date about Iran’s nuclear program and its role in world affairs” (Middle East Quarterly).

Since the Islamic Republic of Iran admitted that it was secretly producing highly enriched, weapons-grade uranium, nations have struggled to react appropriately. For the first time, and in full detail, this book explains exactly what the Europeans and United Nations have been trying to forestall.

Iran could shortly have the ability to strike its immediate Middle Eastern neighbors—and more distant nations—with nuclear weapons. With the size to dominate its region, Iran also has an avowed mission to export its theocratic principles, and in recent decades, has been a notorious supporter of terrorist organizations. Its parallel development of atomic bombs represents the greatest threat to the balance of world power we’ve seen in the new millennium.

Here, defense expert Al Venter reveals the extent to which Iran’s weapons program has developed and the clandestine manner in which its nuclear technology has been acquired. He demonstrates how Tehran has violated the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and details the involvement of several countries shown by the IAEA to have trafficked in illegal nuclear materials. He proves, for the first time, a direct link between the now-defunct South African apartheid regime’s nuclear program and Tehran’s current nuclear ambitions.

Venter digs deep into subjects such as Iran’s fervor on behalf of Shiite Islam, its missile program—developed alongside its nuclear one—and the role of the Pasdaran, the Revolutionary Guards, whose tentacles have spread throughout the Middle East and increasingly farther afield. While noting Tehran’s support of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Venter follows closely how the Persian homeland itself has progressed toward a strategic nuclear capability that would make recent terrorist attacks look obsolete. Iran’s Nuclear Option is essential reading for anyone with an interest in global security, the perilous volatility of the Middle East, and America’s options, should it be willing and able to counter the threat while time remains.
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  1. Print length
    647 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Casemate
  5. Publication date
    January 19, 2005
  6. File size
    6250 KB
  7. Page Flip
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“…a chilling insight into the scope and sophistication of Iran’s concerted, multi-decade quest for the atomic bomb… a sobering blow by blow account of how Tehran managed diplomatically to stall, mislead and confound the IAEA…”
The National Interest

“the place to turn for technical details and footNoted references…offers the most systematic exposition to date about Iran’s nuclear program and its role in world affairs…”
Middle East Quarterly

“…of great interest to anyone watching the current nuclear proliferation problem…”
Parameters

“an outstanding survey of the threats the present Iranian regime poses to the world. One of this books great strengths is how carefully Venter documents Iran’s efforts to obtain parts and personnel for weapons building….shows clearly and convincingly why stopping Iran’s nuclear program is a cardinal interest not only for any particular state, but for humanity as a whole.”
Jerusalem Political Studies Review

About the Author

Al J. Venter is a specialist military writer and has had 50 books published. He started his career with Geneva’s Interavia Group, then owners of International Defence Review, to cover military developments in the Middle East and Africa. Venter has been writing on these and related issues such as guerrilla warfare, insurgency, the Middle East and conflict in general for half a century. He was involved with Jane’s Information Group for more than 30 years and was a stringer for the BBC, NBC News (New York) as well as London’s Daily Express and Sunday Express. He branched into television work in the early 1980s and produced more than 100 documentaries, many of which were internationally flighted. His one-hour film, 'Africa’s Killing Fields' (on the Ugandan civil war), was shown nationwide in the United States on the PBS network. Other films include an hour-long program on the fifth anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, as well as 'AIDS: The African Connection', nominated for China’s Pink Magnolia Award. His last major book was 'Portugal’s Guerrilla Wars in Africa', nominated in 2013 for New York’s Arthur Goodzeit military history book award. It has gone into three editions, including translation into Portuguese.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004K1ETJS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Casemate (January 19, 2005)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 19, 2005
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6250 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 647 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

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Al J. Venter

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Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
15 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

BernardZ
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting view on Iran's atomic bomb
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2006
Verified Purchase
Recent events since the book has been released show that Iran wants a bomb but probably is further away then this book suggests. As most of the other reviews have covered the book, well enough as I will just add that I found the large section that the writer discusses on South Africa annoying as I thought it was off topic and yet an interesting one as he states that South Africa in actively spreading helping the spreading of nuclear and advanced conventional weapons. I am not totally convinced on the nuclear weapons. I hope the writer will in future, supply more information on this subject.
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Peter Uys
5.0 out of 5 stars The world on the brink
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2006
The reality of the nuclear threat from Iran is gaining prominence in the media with the belligerent utterances of its unstable president. So in a way this book has been prophetic; it remains a must-read, along with Atomic Iran by Jerome Corsi. Venter deals with more than just nukes by investigating the ayatollocracy and its power structures, the country's missile programme, its other dangerous weapons and its terrorist network.

Chapters 1 to 3 provide an overview of the country, the people and recent history like the Iran-Iraq War. There is also a discussion of the differences between the Sunni and Shia varieties of Islam, the role of the 12 imams and the Mahdi, the 12th. This is very relevant in the light of Ahmadinejad's apocalyptical mysticism and provides insight into the regime's ambitions to become a regional super power.

How close Iran is to having a nuclear weapon? Despite Steven Tanner's doubts expressed in the foreword, it might already have one, according to the evidence in chapters 4 to 6, which also look at technical aspects like centrifuges and the enrichment of uranium. The horrifying effect of detonating a nuclear bomb in Manhattan is discussed here.

The co-operation or involvement of primarily South Africa, Russia, China, Pakistan (the Khan network) and North Korea with Iran's nuclear and missile programmes is explored in chapters 9 and 10. But France, Germany and India have also contributed to the current situation. The next chapter details Iran's history of support for terrorists and the brutal oppression of its own people.

Chapter 11 discusses Iran's attempts to obtain other weapons of mass destruction; the next one seeks to determine the mindset of the Pasdaran and the revolutionary guards, the pillars of the regime. It is imperative to halt the country's nuclear programme but the author does not offer any suggestions as to how to go about it. The book concludes with detailed appendices and an index.

Iran has been expert at deceiving the world about the progress and purpose of its nuclear programme for more than two decades. Thanks to Ahmadinejad, it is no secret anymore that Israel is Iran's prime target. This holocaust denier has said so. But of course the regime also wants to dominate the entire region and control its oil reserves. Whatever happens, forget about cheap oil for the foreseeable future. The world is on the brink, as this book made clear months ago.
6 people found this helpful
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X. Z.
1.0 out of 5 stars Another drummer for war with Iran
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2008
Verified Purchase
If you want to understand Iran's true reasons for hating American foreign policy you have to say something at least about CIA's overthraw of the democratically elected Mossadegh and imposition of puppet shah. This book does not say a single word about that coup. But that is the root of American hostage crisis and following US-Iran tensions. Without mentioning that the book look just like another piece of propoganda and drumming for war with Iran. Isn't it enough of that?
2 people found this helpful
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J. G Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly important work
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2005
Mr. Venter has again capitalized upon his tremendous links within the military/industrial world to bring a truly frightening book to print. He has strung together multiple sources to attempt to capture the full story as we, outside of the ruling elite in Iran, know the state of affairs to be. This read is a great follow-up to "The Iraqi War Debrief" and should be in every free person's library.

The authors preface about "events" directly related to his writing of the book occurring in his native South Africa gets he reader rolling on this subject. Stephen Tanners foreword and the introduction by Mr. Venter summarize where his book is leading and lead the reader into the more in-depth coverage in the coming pages. The potential retaliation by Israel if struck by nukes from Iran is almost biblical in its connotations.

Part I deals with the background of the current Iranian government and gives enough detail of the brutal Iran-Iraq war to provide insight to why Iran is developing WMD. The links with religion and a drive to create an Islamic world, as viewed by Iran, tie in neatly to a program of frightening weapons and attempts at regional, if not world domination.

Part II opens the door on other nations that are helping the Iranians on their programs. The scenario presented for use of nuclear weapons in downtown Manhattan is scary - and unthinkable for any American president to allow to happen. This portion of the book also begins to explore other countries aid to Iran and the shadowy link between South Africa and Iran. If such countries as South Africa, Pakistan, and Israel can create nuclear weapons without knowledge of the IAEA where do we as the world go from here with "sanctions" and negotiations with any rouge nations? The set-up looks exactly like Iraq and how the international community was strung along by the UN in really facing up to the issue.

Part III links together the Iranian terror links from sources all through the world and ties up the packages presented in earlier sections with a global plan from the 1979 revolution. Frightening stuff from a western point of view. It finishes with "What Next" - the informed reader can decide.

The Appendices are a good source of were Mr. Venter gets is information. Appendix B gives the reader a glimpse as why international inspections do not work - they make the community feel good because they think they are doing something - all that is really happening is a paper shuffle - no instant verification. Appendix E deals with South Africa's nuclear program, good bit of information in there (does anyone else remember "superbursts" of lightning in the Indian Ocean in the late 70's?).

Overall -

Excellent study, buy two copies; read one and send the other to your congressman or senator.
11 people found this helpful
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