Many countries in the world use nuclear power, among them are the U.S., France, Russia, China and Iran. All of these countries have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; its objective is to curb the spread nuclear weapons in the world. Iran has recently showed signs of breaking the treaty to build a nuclear weapon.

Evidence indicates that Iran is creating nuclear weapons, and that is frightening. An authoritative country in the Middle East with the power to destroy large areas with one strike is scary to think about. Because of this, many argue that Iran shouldn’t be allowed to have nuclear power at all. Why should Iran be given the short end of the stick?

For years, nations like Belarus and Ukraine have utilized nuclear technology without building nuclear weapons. Couldn’t there be a compromise with Iran having nuclear power and not nuclear weapons?

In 2005, President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, rocked the world with a shocking statement. In it, he called the Holocaust a “myth” and said that Israel should be “wiped off the map.”

These comments put Iran on a global hot seat. Coupled with its push to build nuclear weapons, Iran is targeted as a possible threat. But what are we actually are afraid of? Are we afraid that Iran has nuclear power or that they have nuclear weapons?

Last year there were major debates about how to handle Iran’s plans for nuclear weapons.  The U.N., backed by the U.S. military, stepped in and ordered Iran to shut down their nuclear power plants. I agree with the U.N. stepping in to make sure no weapons were made, but having nuclear power could do wonders for Iran.

Today, the U.S., China, Russia, Britain, France, India, Pakistan and North Korea are the only countries with acknowledged nuclear weapons capabilities. Some have signed an agreement that says that they won’t distribute or use them. The world trusts these superpowers not to use the weapons they have. In Iran’s case, it is different. They too signed the agreement, but as a small country the world can’t trust they won’t use nuclear weapons if they have them.

There are reasons to keep Iran behind the nuclear iron curtain, but Iran is also a nation in which many millions of peaceful people live. Like any other “westernized” nation, its people go to work in the morning and go home to their families in the evening.

Even if it’s merely speculation that Iran is actually planning to create nuclear weapons, we can’t stand around and wait for a disaster. In February, Iran halted their oil export to Britain and France after the EU decided to stop importing after the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.

With further consideration, sure Iran is acting foolish, but it wouldn’t it be worth letting them have nuclear power so we can have lower oil prices?

Sixteen hundred years ago, the Greek author Thucydides said, ”The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.” Hopefully, we have the courage to continue the pursuit of living as one in this world, without the use of force.