Inside Iran's Nuclear Ambitions: From Origins to Tensions Today
A Programme Decades in the Making
Iran's nuclear ambitions trace back to the late 1950s, when it began receiving technical assistance from the United States under a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement signed by then-Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Iran became a signatory of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1970, committing to peaceful nuclear development under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
But by the early 2000s, revelations about undeclared nuclear sites raised international suspicion. A 2011 IAEA report found that Iran had conducted activities 'relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device' at least until 2003.
Hope in Vienna, Fallout in Washington
After suspending parts of its enrichment activities, Iran entered negotiations with world powers. These culminated in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in Vienna with the five permanent UN Security Council members (US, UK, France, China, and Russia) plus Germany. The deal imposed strict limits on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
That diplomatic breakthrough unraveled in May 2018, when then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions. Tehran responded with what analysts call a 'strategy of escalation.'
Escalation and Enrichment
In defiance of the JCPOA, Iran raised its uranium enrichment levels:
From 3.67% (the JCPOA cap)
To 5%, then 20%, and eventually 60% in 2021 — alarmingly close to the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material.
As of May 17, 2025, Iran possesses 408.6 kg of uranium enriched to 60% — a 50% increase since February. Given that around 42 kg at this level is enough for one bomb if further enriched, Iran now theoretically holds enough material for more than nine nuclear weapons.
Iran has also exceeded limits on the number and type of centrifuges in operation, using advanced models to accelerate production.
No Evidence of a Weapon — Yet
Despite the quantity of enriched material, the IAEA has stated it has 'no indication' that Iran currently has a systematic programme to build a nuclear weapon. Nuclear arms require more than enriched uranium: precise engineering, ballistic delivery systems, and warhead miniaturisation are all essential steps — none of which are confirmed.
In March, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified that Iran is not actively building a nuclear bomb.
Iran continues to deny all nuclear weapons ambitions, citing a religious edict (fatwa) issued by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banning the development and use of atomic arms.
Diplomacy Under Fire
Recent Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, coupled with the latest US bombings, have further damaged hopes for reviving the JCPOA. Talks mediated by Oman had resumed in April 2025, but the attacks have prompted Iran's Foreign Ministry to accuse Washington of committing 'illegality and crimes' to aid Israel.
While US officials express confidence that a renewed nuclear deal is still possible, Tehran maintains that recent aggression has dealt a 'serious blow' to diplomacy.
Why It Matters
Iran is now the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to 60%, a position that drastically reduces its 'breakout time' — the time it would need to produce a nuclear weapon if it chooses to. With over 400 kg of near-weapons-grade uranium, the stakes have never been higher.
The world watches as Iran walks the fine line between legal enrichment and potential weaponisation — a line that could redefine security in the Middle East and beyond.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
6 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Iran Reportedly Made Plans To Litter Strait Of Hormuz
The U.S. launched 'Operation Midnight Hammer' on June 22, deploying stealth bombers to strike Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs. President Trump declared the sites were 'totally obliterated.' In retaliation, Iran's parliament voted to authorize the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime chokepoint through which 20% of the world's oil flows—sparking renewed anxiety among global energy traders over the threat to vital tanker lanes. As readers understand, any move by Iran to close the critical waterway would instantly disrupt nearly one-fifth of the world's oil shipments and trigger substantial—and potentially cascading—economic harm (energy inflation) worldwide. However, those threats ultimately fell short in the days that followed, and Brent crude futures have since returned to the $67-a-barrel level, effectively roundtripping the entire move. Iran has several military and asymmetric tools at its disposal to disrupt or close the Strait of Hormuz, including: Naval Mines Fast Attack Boats & Swarm Tactics Anti-Ship Missiles Submarine Operations Seizing or Boarding Tankers Shore-Based Artillery or Rocket Attacks or Drone Strikes GPS Scrambling Cyberattacks on Port Infrastructure Coordinated Proxy Attacks In the lead-up to and during Operation Midnight Hammer, widespread GPS interference was reported across the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple sources we highlighted indicated a noticeable slowdown in tanker traffic, as navigation systems were degraded and insurance premiums for vessels surged. A new Reuters report, citing anonymous U.S. officials, reveals that intelligence indicated Tehran was preparing to blockade the Strait of Hormuz using one of its most effective and low-cost tactics: littering the narrow shipping corridor with naval mines. More color on the report: The previously unreported preparations, which were detected by U.S. intelligence, occurred some time after Israel launched its initial missile attack against Iran on June 13, said the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters. The loading of the mines – which have not been deployed in the strait – suggests that Tehran may have been serious about closing one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, a move that would have escalated an already-spiraling conflict and severely hobbled global commerce. Reuters was not able to determine precisely when during the Israel-Iran air war Tehran loaded the mines, which – if deployed – would have effectively stopped ships from moving through the key thoroughfare. It is also unclear if the mines have since been unloaded. The sources did not disclose how the United States determined that the mines had been put on the Iranian vessels, but such intelligence is typically gathered through satellite imagery, clandestine human sources or a combination of both methods. . . . The two officials said the U.S. government has not ruled out the possibility that loading the mines was a ruse. The Iranians could have prepared the mines to convince Washington that Tehran was serious about closing the strait, but without intending to do so, the officials said. Israel's 12-day war with Iran and Tehran's ultimately hollow threat (so far) to close the Strait of Hormuz appear to have had limited lasting impact on global oil markets, reflected in Brent crude trading around $68 on Wednesday afternoon. Also read: 'Unacceptable' – US Officials Slam Iran's Suspending Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog
Gulf Insider
6 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
US Officials Slam Iran's Suspending Cooperation
US State Department officials have reportedly said that Iran's suspension of cooperation with IAEA is 'unacceptable', adding that Iran must cooperate fully without further delay. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also chimed in, saying that Iran's suspension of its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is 'obviously concerning' 'We've seen the official decision, which is obviously concerning. I think the Secretary-General has been very consistent in his call for Iran to cooperate with the IAEA, and, frankly, for all countries to work closely with the IAEA on nuclear issues,' he told reporters. In an official move which could bring Tehran into further conflict with the United States, Israel, and the West, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has signed a law which breaks all cooperation with the the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following Israeli and US large-scale strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last month. 'Masoud Pezeshkian promulgated the law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,' Iranian state TV confirmed announcement comes on the heels of Iranian parliament's initial decision last week to halt cooperation with the nuclear watchdog and monitoring body, a move triggered by Israel's surprise attack on the Islamic Republic which began on June 13. Nearly two weeks of war followed, capped by the Trump-ordered B-2 bomber raids and huge attacks on the three key nuclear facilities of Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. Under the new parliamentary resolution, IAEA inspectors will need approval from Iran's Supreme National Security Council before any access to nuclear facilities is given. The IAEA merely said in response that it was 'aware of these reports' of Tehran suspending cooperation and is waiting for formal communication from Iranian leaders. Earlier this week, Iran's foreign minister declared that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, whom Iranian officials have fiercely criticized for not condemning the Israeli and US attacks, as Persona non grata . There was also this recent alarming diplomatic fiasco centered on Grossi and threats by an Iranian newspaper: Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday that Tehran poses no threat to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog nor its inspectors, after an Iranian newspaper claimed that Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi was an Israeli spy and called for him to be executed. Iran's ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper recently alleged that unspecified documents showed Grossi to be an Israeli spy. 'It should therefore be officially announced that he will be tried and executed upon arrival in Iran for spying for the Mossad and participating in the murder of the oppressed people of our country,' the newspaper said. 'No, there is not any threat' against the inspectors or the director general, Iran's Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said in an interview with US broadcaster CBS. The ambassador said inspectors in Iran were 'in safe conditions.' Just the day prior to Israel's surprise assault on Iran using dozens of warplanes, Tehran officials were outraged with a rejected a June 12 resolution from the IAEA board that accused Iran of failing to meet its nuclear obligations. Iranian authorities then alleged this resolution served as one of the 'pretexts' used to justify the Israeli and later US attacks on its nuclear facilities, which Tehran has maintained is solely for nuclear energy purposes. Also read: Iraq Claims Top Spot Among OPEC Crude Suppliers To The US
Daily Tribune
17 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Israel FM says world 'must act decisively' to stop Iran nuclear drive
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on Wednesday for global action against Iran's nuclear programme, after Tehran suspended its cooperation with UN watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency. Saar in a post on X called on Germany, France and Britain "to reinstate all sanctions against Iran" under a mechanism in a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, adding that "the international community must act decisively now and utilise all means at its disposal to stop Iranian nuclear ambitions."
