The Hidden Costs of Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program

The Federation of American Scientists and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace have released a new report, “ Iran’s Nuclear Odyssey: Costs and Risks” which analyzes the economic effects of Iran’s nuclear program , and policy implications of sanctions and other actions by the United States and other allies. The program 's cost —measured in lost foreign investment and oil revenue—has been well over $100 billion. The Bushehr nuclear reactor took nearly four decades to complete and cost almost $11 billion (measured in today's dollars), making it one of the most expensive reactors in the world. Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons carries various risks, but inaction has its costs , too -- especially to the price of oil and, in turn, to the U.S. International sanctions against Iran have already restricted its oil exports, reducing global supply and putting upward pressure on oil prices. Iran’s nuclear program has spanned half a century, marked by its enormous financial cost , the unpredictable risks associated with it and unclear motivations. The program ’s covert history, and the Iranian government’s prohibition of open media coverage of the nuclear issue, have prevented a much-needed internal debate about its cost. Joined that attack on Sunday, dropping 14 bunker-buster bombs on two sites. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israeli and American targets. Israel and Iran have since agreed to a ceasefire. Here’s what we know — and don’t know — about the state of Iran’s nuclear program . 1 day ago · Pervasive uncertainty But even in that case, it will still be difficult to estimate the broader effects on Iran’s nuclear program . President Donald Trump is insisting the U.S. Bombs that struck Iran's nuclear sites set the country's weapon program back decades — but Defense Department experts disagree. Here's what to know. Although Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, experts have long assessed that Iran was close to having the capability of building nuclear weapons , if it chose to do so. The public debate in Iran over the value of a nuclear deterrent intensified in 2024, when senior Iranian officials suggested that Iran may rethink Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s fatwa prohibiting nuclear weapons if security conditions warranted it.