The Secret History of Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program

This background report provides an overview of Iran ' s nuclear history including past weaponization efforts, its nuclear-related infrastructure, key institutions and personnel, foreign assistance, and sanctions and export controls targeting the nuclear program . 3 days ago · Explore Iran's nuclear weapons program , its history , uranium enrichment, global reactions, and what it means for the Middle East and world security. Dating back to Cold War-era cooperation with the West, Iran’s nuclear program found its origin with U.S. Support for nuclear energy proliferation, taking a drastic turn following the 1979 Islamic Revolution—one driven by regional conflicts and shifting security imperatives. Despite this obligation, after the 1979 revolution that deposed Iran’s Western-allied leader, the country secretly worked to develop nuclear weapons, including by initiating a uranium enrichment program and crafting a plan to make and test weapons. Iran's nuclear program began in the 1950s with the support of the United States under the Atoms for Peace program . In 1970, Iran ratified the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), subjecting its nuclear activities to IAEA inspections. By 2003 , responding to growing pressure from European powers to freeze its publicly known nuclear programs and fearing a possible U.S. Military attack, Iran’s leaders decided to downsize, but not stop, their secret nuclear weapons effort. Iran does not yet have a nuclear weapon, but it has a long history of engaging in secret nuclear weapons research in violation of its international commitments. Western analysts say the. 1967 — Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under America’s “Atoms for Peace” program . 1979 — Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fatally ill, flees Iran as popular protests against.