We have often heard the world voicing its concern about Iran’s nuclear program. And the reason for the global concern is genuine. Given the country’s precarious location and a history of non-compliance with international agreements, there remains a grave danger of a nuclear war. Moreover, Iran’s already strained relations with Israel add more woes to the existing issue.

Also, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suspects that the country stores undeclared and unreported nuclear material, which further aggravates the problem. However, over the years, through various conferences, agreements, and cooperation of different countries, Iran has not fired nuclear missiles at its enemies. But the question remains of

History of Iran’s Nuclear Program

The roots of Iran’s nuclear power were sown way back in the 1950s, with the assistance of the USA. Under the USA’s then initiative titled “Atoms for Peace”, Iran received support from the West to develop their own nuclear energy sector. However, this cooperation was short-lived as after the 1979 Islamic revolution, the relations between the once good allies soured, and the nuclear operations ceased.

Undeterred by the fallen support, Iran continued to build its nuclear capabilities, along with the growing apprehension of the international community. Nonetheless, the country has rejected the “West’s fear” by stating that nuclear activities are solely undertaken for generating electricity and for conducting medical research. But Iran’s actions do not resemble their statement. Suspicions regarding the secrecy surrounding the country’s prominent nuclear facilities – Natanz and Fordow are heavy as Iran is tight-lipped about their functions.

Iran is one of the signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), meaning that it has the freedom to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes but under the watchful eye of the IAEA. As mentioned earlier, the IAEA’s skepticism about the country holding unaccounted nuclear materials is also quite high. This mistrust, along with the geopolitical tension that the country has surrounded itself with, makes Iran’s nuclear project one of the most pressing issues in the world.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a.k.a The 2015 Nuclear Deal

In July 2015, with the efforts of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, Iran reached an agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The aim was to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and in return, economic regulations were relaxed. Some of the major pointers of the 2015 Plan included the following:

• To reduce the enriched uranium stockpile by 98%, not extending more than 300 kg.
• To convert the Arak heavy water reactor, which had the potential to produce the radioactive element Plutonium, into a non-weapons facility.
• To allow the IAEA to conduct routine inspections.
• To cut the installed number of centrifuges from 19,000 to just 6,000.
• Limiting uranium enrichment to 3.67% purity, a major drop from the 90% amount which is required to produce a nuclear weapon.

Iran was rewarded with several grants by Western agencies for its acceptance of the treaty. The United Nations and the European Union lifted sanctions from Iran, resulting in the unfreezing of billions of dollars as well as reopening the doors to international trade and agreements. Barack Obama, the then US President, strongly supported the JCPOA through his words, “This deal is not built on trust. It is built on verification.”

Even though the 2015 Plan faced its own share of criticisms, it was largely successful and hailed as a remarkable achievement by the people. It was one of the rare moments when the diplomatic world had gathered together and was able to find an effective resolution. But as all good things come to an end, the fragile mission also saw its end in 2018, with the election of the US President, Donald Trump.

The Withdrawal of the US and Its Consequences

Donald Trump is renowned for making controversial statements as well as judgments. During his first term, he pulled the USA out of the JCPOA, labelling the important treaty as a “disastrous deal” that failed to fulfill its objective of curbing Iran’s long-term nuclear activities. This decision halted the progress achieved by the 2015 plan and had damaging consequences.

The USA brought out its big guns and re-imposed the sanctions on the oil nation, leaving Iran’s economy crippled. The sanctions affected the country’s financial sector and, mainly, its oil exports, which are the main source of income for Iran. In addition to this, the Iranian took a deep plunge with a rising situation of inflation and unemployment.

Iran retaliated back with breaching the norms of the agreement, spreading an air of anxiousness in the international community. The country began increasing its uranium enrichment level above the agreed 3.67% cap along with installing advanced centrifuges, which were otherwise banned in the agreement. By 2021, Iran had successfully enriched its uranium up to 60% purity, which is quite an alarming rate, given the fact that 90% purity is needed to manufacture a nuclear weapon.

Europe wasn’t the only region that suffered the consequences of the retraction of the agreement; the Middle East, too, was a part of it. Frequent naval conflicts in the Persian Gulf, an increased animosity between the already bitter rivals – Iran and Israel were at an all-time high, and attacks on Saudi oil facilities had also been blamed on Iran and its allies.

2025 – Where do the Iran Nuclear Talks Currently Stand?

As of 2025, the negotiations between the USA and Iran are ongoing. Both countries have already completed five rounds of indirect talks mediated by Oman. Currently, Iran has finally shown a willingness to the USA by allowing the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear facilities if an agreement is reached.

However, Iran has already indicated that acceptance of the agreement would not mean suspending its uranium-enriching activity. On the contrary, the USA wants Iran to stop its uranium-enriching activity. A decade has passed since the creation of the JCPOA, yet Iran still insists that the development of its nuclear facilities is purely for peaceful purposes, a statement that Washington refuses to believe.

Meanwhile, President Trump is fulfilling his duties as a friend. He has already alerted Prime Minister Netanyahu against the actions that could undermine the deal. Despite these conflicts, it seems that both the USA and Iran are keen to find a resolution to this growing conflict.

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