S. itself has taken a "pick and choose" approach to the articles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which it abides by. Article VI of the NPT reads:.

             Each of the Parties to the Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a Treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. (NPT, at www.un.org).

             This requirement of "negotiations in good faith" was directly disobeyed by the U.S. in very recent history, with the information that North Korea was pursuing a nuclear program. In the interest of reaching a compromise, North Korea offered to negotiate with the U.S. in bilateral discussion, which the U.S. has rejected. (Chinadaily.com 2005 online cite) .

             Although other nations may well be in violation of other articles in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, by refusing North Korea's offer to negotiate, the U.S. joins their ranks as being noncompliant with part of the NPT. In choosing not to "pursue negotiations in good faith," the U.S. essentially gave up any moral high ground it had in demanding that other nations abide by the treaty. This violation is easily spotted by Iran and proponents of a nuclear Iran; when disputing the rationale that the United States gives for disarming Iran, these proponents are quick to note that the U.S. itself is in violation of the NPT, and as such, is in a poor position to be hurling accusations of noncompliance.

             Iran has several reasons for desiring nuclear capabilities. Aside from the hypocrisy of the U.S. position, there is a very real threat to developing nations by the U.S. which was demonstrated with the Iraq war. In 2002, the Bush administration issued the "National Security Strategy of the United States of America," which stated that "preemptive" force could be used against a government which was trying to acquire nuclear weapons.