What is usually argued with respect to Iran’s goal in the pursuit of the nuclear program is either Iran seeks nuclear capability only for scientific, medical and energy purposes or Iran intends to achieve nuclear weapons. The former argument is made by Iran while the latter is done by the Western countries. This article proposes to explain two other goals i.e., nuclear “lawful capability” and “full capability” as well. Our main question is that “What factors necessitate that the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to achieve nuclear “lawful capability”? The main hypothesis is posed in this paper is that the national security, mid-term foreign policy goals and the objectives of the Iranian nuclear program, require the achievement of nuclear “lawful capability”. “Preserving the status quo”, is considered among Iran’s foreign policy objectives. Deterrence, enhancement of regional and foreign dignity and altitude, improvement of the level of development, role play in the form of an active regional and international actor and reaching a proper status and increase in the power of the Islamic world, are considered as objectives of Iranian nuclear program. This paper will also answer this question that “which strategy will provide these objectives?” and it will be argued that the strategy of “comprehensive engagement” is the option taken by Iran against the West. In such strategy, all important bilateral and comprehensive issues are on the table for negotiation.
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