POLITICAL TIMELINE

NUCLEAR TIMELINE

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
MAY 2018
U.S. leaves JCPOA
MAY 2019
Iran announces plan to incrementally breach JCPOA
MAY  2019
Iran installs a greater number of IR-6 centrifuges than JCPOA permits. IR-6 is one of Iran’s fastest machines
JULY 2019
Iran breaches JCPOA caps on uranium enrichment level & size of enriched uranium stockpile
SEPT 2019
Iran begins enriching uranium using an array of advanced centrifuges at Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP)
NOV 2019
Iran breaches JCPOA heavy-water cap, restarts enrichment at underground Fordow plant. IAEA reports discovery of undeclared uranium at warehouse in Tehran, which Iran apparently sanitized. Total enriched uranium stockpile is >370 kilograms
JAN 2020
Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Qassem Soleimani killed in U.S. drone strike
NOV 2019
IAEA reports Iran blocked access to two suspect sites and apparently sanitized them
NOV. 2020
Joe Biden elected president promising to return to JCPOA
NOV 2019
Iran's enriched uranium stockpile grows to >2,400 kilograms. Iran begins enriching uranium in advanced IR-2m centrifuges at Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP)
DEC 2020
Iran's Guardian Council approves new law calling for major nuclear advances
NOV 2020
At Fordow, Iran starts enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, or 90 percent of the effort necessary to reach weapons-grade uranium (WGU)
JAN 2021
Biden inaugurated
MAY 2018
U.S. leaves JCPOA
MAY 2019
Iran announces plan to incrementally breach JCPOA
MAY  2019
Iran installs a greater number of IR-6 centrifuges than JCPOA permits. IR-6 is one of Iran’s fastest machines
JULY 2019
Iran breaches JCPOA caps on uranium enrichment level & size of enriched uranium stockpile
SEPT 2019
Iran begins enriching uranium using an array of advanced centrifuges at Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP)
NOV 2019
Iran breaches JCPOA heavy-water cap, restarts enrichment at underground Fordow plant. IAEA reports discovery of undeclared uranium at warehouse in Tehran, which Iran apparently sanitized. Total enriched uranium stockpile is >370 kilograms
JAN 2020
Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Qassem Soleimani killed in U.S. drone strike
MAR 2020
IAEA reports Iran blocked access to two suspect sites and apparently sanitized them
NOV 2020
Iran's enriched uranium stockpile grows to >2,400 kilograms. Iran begins enriching uranium in advanced IR-2m centrifuges at Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP)
JAN 2020
Iran's Guardian Council approves new law calling for major nuclear advances
JAN 2021
At Fordow, Iran starts enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, or 90 percent of the effort necessary to reach weapons-grade uranium (WGU)
JAN 2021
Biden inaugurated
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
FEB 2021
Biden rescinds Trump's snapback of UN Iran sanctions under JCPOA implementing resolution 2231
FEB.  2021
Iran stops implementing Additional Protocol & JCPOA monitoring measures, which give the lAEA greater insight into Tehran's nuclear activities. Absent these, IAEA access & monitoring at nuclear sites are restricted. Tehran threatens to destroy IAEA data & makes 3.6 grams of uranium metal (used in nuclear weapon cores). IAEA detects undeclared uranium at two sites
APR. 2021
At Natanz PFEP, Iran begins using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium to 60 percent purity, or 99 percent of the effort necessary to reach WGU. At Natanz FEP, Iran uses 1,044 IR-2m centrifuges and 348 IR-4s to enrich uranium up to 5 percent purity
APR - JUN 2021
P5+1 (US. France, Germany, UK, Russia & China) hold six rounds of indirect nuclear talks with Rouhani government
MAY  2021
Iran's enriched uranium stockpile grows to >3,200 kilograms. IAEA must estimate stockpile due to Tehran's reductions in agency monitoring
JUNE 2021
Ultra-hardiner Ebrahim Raisi selected to be president of Iran; nuclear talks stall
JUN 2021
Despite a temporary political arrangement it reached with the IAEA in February, Iran refuses to confirm that it continues to collect and hold in its custody IAEA monitoring and surveillance data at sites Tehran has barred the agency from visiting
AUG 2021
Raisi inaugurated
AUG. 2021
Iran produces 200 grams of uranium metal enriched up to 20 percent
NOV - DEC 2021
P5+1 & Raisi government
restart nuclear talks
DEC.  2021
Iran starts enriching 20 percent uranium using a cascade of IR-6 centrifuges at Fordow plant, providing fast route to WGU production at a highly fortified facility
DEC 2021 - JAN 2022
Iran relocates advanced centrifuge manufacturing and assembly capabilities to underground sites at Natanz and Esfahan
MAR 2022
Nuclear talks stall, apparently due to Iran’s demand that the U.S. lift terrorism designation of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
MAR. 2022
IAEA and Iran agree to a timetable for Iranian cooperation with IAEA investigation into undeclared nuclear material and activities
JUNE 2022
IAEA Board of Governors passes censure resolution against Iran
JUNE 2022
Tehran reduces IAEA monitoring and announces plans to install hundreds more IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz FEP
NOV 2022
IAEA Board of Governors passes new censure resolution
NOV 2022
Iran produces 60 percent enriched uranium at Fordow and plans to install some 2,600 IR-6 centrifuges there
JAN 2023
Iran violates IAEA safeguards agreement by not declaring change to enrichment configuration at Fordow; IAEA detects presence of uranium particles enriched to 83.7 percent, near weapons grade or 90 percent
MAR 2023
IAEA Board fails to pass new censure of Iran
MAR 2023
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for seven atomic weapons within three months. Iran's enriched uranium stockpile grows to >3700 kilograms. IAEA reports no progress regarding investigation into undeclared nuclear material and activities; Iran and IAEA reach Joint Statement regarding Tehran's cooperation into IAEA investigation and improved monitoring
MAY 2023
U.S. and Iran reportedly discuss informal nuclear limits on Tehran in exchange for unfreezing of Iranian oil assets in foreign countries
JUN-JUL 2023
U.S. authorizes Iraq to release $10 billion in previously frozen Iranian assets
AUG 2023
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 10 atomic weapons within four months. Iran’s 5, 20, and 60 percent enriched uranium stockpiles grow despite reported informal arrangement with the U.S. to limit 60 percent stockpile. IAEA reports no progress on investigation or monitoring issues despite Joint Statement from March 2023
AUG-SEPT 2023
U.S. and Iran announce swap of five U.S. hostages for five Iranians convicted of or being held on charges, plus unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian assets
SEP 2023
For a third consecutive meeting, the IAEA Board fails to pass new censure resolution. Sixty-three countries, including the U.S., and the EU release joint statement calling for Iran's cooperation with IAEA investigation. U.S., France, Germany, and UK release separate statement indicating the IAEA Board may act failing Iran's compliance
SEP 2023
Iran reportedly ejects French and German IAEA inspectors from the country
OCT 2023
Hamas, an Iran-backed terror group, launches war on Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 Israelis. Israel responds by launching ground war in Gaza with goal of destroying Hamas and freeing hostages
NOV 2023
For a fourth consecutive meeting, IAEA Board fails to pass new censure resolution despite Tehran ejecting inspectors in September; Iran-backed militias launch numerous attacks against U.S. positions in Iraq and Syria and against global maritime shipping, with limited U.S. kinetic responses
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 12 atomic weapons within five months.
NOV 2023
DEC 2023
IAEA reports Iran has tripled production of 60 percent enriched uranium, reversing June-Nov slowdown.
JAN 2024
Iran-backed militias launch 115 attacks between Oct. 17 and Jan. 2 against U.S. positions in Iraq and Syria, with limited U.S. kinetic responses. Iran-backed Houthi rebels launch campaign against Red Sea shipping, with 26 maritime attacks reported between Nov. 1 and Jan 16. The U.S. has since kinetically responded four times in Yemen
FEB.  2021
Biden rescinds Trump's snapback of UN Iran sanctions under JCPOA implementing resolution 2231
FEB 2021
Iran stops implementing Additional Protocol & JCPOA monitoring measures, which give the lAEA greater insight into Tehran's nuclear activities. Absent these, IAEA access & monitoring at nuclear sites are restricted. Tehran threatens to destroy IAEA data & makes 3.6 grams of uranium metal (used in nuclear weapon cores). IAEA detects undeclared uranium at two sites
APR 2021
At Natanz PFEP, Iran begins using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium to 60 percent purity, or 99 percent of the effort necessary to reach WGU. At Natanz FEP, Iran uses 1,044 IR-2m centrifuges and 348 IR-4s to enrich uranium up to 5 percent purity
APR - JUN. 2021
P5+1 (US. France, Germany, UK, Russia & China) hold six rounds of indirect nuclear talks with Rouhani government
MAY  2021
Iran's enriched uranium stockpile grows to >3,200 kilograms. IAEA must estimate stockpile due to Tehran's reductions in agency monitoring
JUNE 2021
Ultra-hardiner Ebrahim Raisi selected to be president of Iran; nuclear talks stall
JUN 2021
Despite a temporary political arrangement it reached with the IAEA in February, Iran refuses to confirm that it continues to collect and hold in its custody IAEA monitoring and surveillance data at sites Tehran has barred the agency from visiting
JUNE 2021
Raisi inaugurated
AUG 2021
Iran produces 200 grams of uranium metal enriched up to 20 percent
NOV - DEC. 2021
P5+1 & Raisi government
restart nuclear talks
DEC  2021
Iran starts enriching 20 percent uranium using a cascade of IR-6 centrifuges at Fordow plant, providing fast route to WGU production at a highly fortified facility
DEC 2021 - JAN 2022
Iran relocates advanced centrifuge manufacturing and assembly capabilities to underground sites at Natanz and Esfahan
MAR. 2022
Nuclear talks stall, apparently due to Iran’s demand that the U.S. lift terrorism designation of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
MAR 2022
IAEA and Iran agree to a timetable for Iranian cooperation with IAEA investigation into undeclared nuclear material and activities
JUNE 2022
IAEA Board of Governors passes first censure resolution against Iran in
JUNE 2022
Tehran reduces IAEA monitoring and announces plans to install hundreds more IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz FEP
NOV 2022
IAEA Board of Governors passes new censure Resolution
NOV 2022
Iran produces 60 percent enriched uranium at Fordow and plans to install some 2,600 IR-6 centrifuges there
JAN 2023
Iran violates IAEA safeguards agreement by not declaring change to enrichment configuration at Fordow; IAEA detects presence of uranium particles enriched to 83.7 percent, near weapons grade or 90 percent
MAR 2023
IAEA Board fails to pass new censure of Iran
MAR 2023
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for seven atomic weapons within three months. Iran's enriched uranium stockpile grows to >3700 kilograms. IAEA reports no progress regarding investigation into undeclared nuclear material and activities; Iran and IAEA reach Joint Statement regarding Tehran's cooperation into IAEA investigation and improved monitoring
MAY 2023
U.S. and Iran reportedly discuss informal nuclear limits on Tehran in exchange for unfreezing of Iranian oil assets in foreign countries
JUN-JUL 2023
U.S. authorizes Iraq to release $10 billion in previously frozen Iranian assets
AUG 2023
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 10 atomic weapons within four months. Iran’s 5, 20, and 60 percent enriched uranium stockpiles grow despite reported informal arrangement with the U.S. to limit 60 percent stockpile. IAEA reports no progress on investigation or monitoring issues despite Joint Statement from March 2023
AUG-SEP 2023
U.S. and Iran announce swap of five U.S. hostages for five Iranians convicted of or being held on charges, plus unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian assets
SEP 2023
For a third consecutive meeting, the IAEA Board fails to pass new censure resolution. Sixty-three countries, including the U.S., and the EU release joint statement calling for Iran's cooperation with IAEA investigation. U.S., France, Germany, and UK release separate statement indicating the IAEA Board may act failing Iran's compliance
SEP 2023
Iran reportedly ejects French and German IAEA inspectors from the country
OCT 2023
Hamas, an Iran-backed terror group in Gaza, launches attacks on Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 Israelis. Israel responds against Hamas in Gaza as part of an ongoing military campaign.
NOV 2023
For a fourth consecutive meeting, IAEA Board fails to pass new censure resolution, despite Tehran ejecting inspectors in September.
NOV 2023
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 12 atomic weapons within five months
DEC 2023
IAEA reports Iran has tripled production of 60 percent enriched uranium, reversing June-Nov slowdown
JAN 2024
Iran-backed militias launch 115 attacks between Oct. 17 and Jan. 2 against U.S. positions in Iraq and Syria, with limited U.S. kinetic responses. Iran-backed Houthi rebels launch campaign against Red Sea shipping, with 26 maritime attacks reported between Nov. 1 and Jan 16. The U.S. has since kinetically responded four times in Yemen.