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All the things that make up a world power are available in Iran: an abundance of good land, an educated population, a strong manufacturing output, and an experienced military. However, Iran is a country with a foot in two different worlds. It wants to be a major player in the world economy. But many of its leaders put a centuries-old interpretation of Islamic law before the country’s economic interests.This slows economic progress andmakes some social progress near impossible, which has made Iran isolated and perplexing to other nations. TheUnited States,Russia,China, the EuropeanUnion, and India look at Iran as a potential problem. Certainly, the country’s unclear policy on nuclear weapons has made it second only to North Korea on the worry list. North Korea and Iran are two nations that cause sleepless nights for many world leaders. The thinking in the United States is that if Iran produces nuclear weapons, nuclear war is more likely.The United States gives many reasons for this. One is that other countries in the region would be pressured to make their own bombs. Saudi Arabia would be an example of a country tempted to go the nuclear route if Iran does. With more nuclear weapons around, accidents will be more likely. A nuclear explosion can destroy an entire city, and nuclear war could destroy the entire planet. For this reason the United States

Boxes of missiles and other weapons from Iran aboard a cargo ship intended for the Hezbollah terror organization.

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