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 (IRGC) 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.
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, which is 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 Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, Iran begins using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium to 60 percent purity, or 99 percent of the effort necessary to reach WGU. At Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, 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 IRGC.
MAR. 2022
IAEA and Iran agree to a timetable for Iranian cooperation with IAEA investigation into undeclared nuclear material and activities
JUNE 2022
International Atomic Energy Agency (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 Board of Governors of the IAEA 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 and kidnapping 250. 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.
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
DEC 2023
Independent estimates find Iran could construct crude nuclear devices in under six months, in fashion that provides only two months’ notice for world powers to intervene
FEB 2024
Former Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Ali Akbar Salehi claims Iran has everything it needs to build nuclear weapons but in a disassembled fashion.
FEB 2024
Iran installs six new advanced centrifuge cascades, bringing total of installed advanced machines to nearly 7,400, and total of installed early-model centrifuges to about 14,600, in reversal of Nov.-Feb. slowdown. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi decries comment by former AEOI chief Salehi about Tehran’s nuclear weapons capabilities, noting this augments agency concerns about correctness and completeness of Iran’s IAEA safeguards declarations
APR 2024
Iran launches first direct attack on Israel in regime’s history. Ahmad Haghtalab, commander in charge of nuclear security for the IRGC, claims Iran could “review [its] nuclear doctrine and deviate from [previous] considerations”.
MAY 2024
Kamal Kharrazi, adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, claims, “should Iran’s existence be threatened, the regime may reevaluate its nuclear doctrine”.
MAY 2024
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 13 atomic
weapons within four months. Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile grows to >6,200 kilograms.
IAEA reports Iran is failing to disclose plans to build new nuclear sites, reports no progress on implementing March 2023 joint statement with Iran
JUN 2024
Despite initial Biden administration opposition, the U.S. and Europe lead passage of IAEA board censure against Iran.
JUN 2024
Media reports U.S. and Israeli intelligence observed Iranian scientists working on computer modeling and metallurgy relevant to nuclear weapons development. IAEA reports Iran installing nearly 1,400 advanced centrifuges at Fordow, tripling plant’s capacity to make 60 percent HEU and enhancing breakout capabilities
JUL 2024
AEOI chief Mohammad Eslami claims Iran exporting key nuclear commodities on global market. Washington asks for clarifications from Iran regarding nuclear weaponization activities and accepts Tehran’s denials and explanations.
JUL 2024
U.S. Office of Director of National Intelligence omits usual phrase in report to Congress that
Iran is not working on nuclear-weapons activities. Independent estimates find Iran progressing construction at deeply buried nuclear site near Natanz that could house secret enrichment plant
AUG 2024
U.S. officials claim Iran’s breakout time is only 1-2 weeks. Chairman of U.S. House Intelligence Committee announces Iran could declare itself a nuclear weapon state by year’s end.
AUG 2024
IAEA reports Iran has installed more than 10,000 advanced centrifuges across its three enrichment plants.
SEP 2024
Independent analyses of satellite imagery find Iran is conducting work at two former nuclear weaponization facilities.
OCT 2024
In response to Iran’s ballistic missile barrage, Israel strikes alleged Iranian nuclear weaponization facility, Taleghan 2, located within the Parchin military complex. Strike reportedly destroyed equipment Iran was using to carry out nuclear weaponization experiments.
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 Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, Iran begins using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium to 60 percent purity, or 99 percent of the effort necessary to reach WGU. At Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, Iran uses 1,044 IR-2m centrifuges and 348 IR-4s to enrich uranium up to 5 percent purity.
APR - JUN.
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 Iran to cooperate with IAEA investigation into undeclared nuclear material and activities.
JUNE 2022
   International Atomic Energy Agency (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-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 Board of Governors of the IAEA 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
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
Independent estimates find Iran could construct crude nuclear devices in under six months in manner that provides only two months’ notice for world powers to intervene.
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 2024
Former Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Ali Akbar Salehi claims Iran has everything it needs to build nuclear weapons, but in a disassembled fashion
FEB 2024
Iran installs six new advanced centrifuge cascades, bringing total of installed advanced machines to nearly 7,400, and total of installed early-model centrifuges to about 14,600, in reversal of Nov.-Feb. slowdown. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi decries comment by former AEOI chief Salehi about Tehran’s nuclear weapons capabilities, noting this augments agency concerns about correctness and completeness of Iran’s IAEA safeguards declarations.
APR 2024
Iran launches first direct attack on Israel in regime’s history. Ahmad Haghtalab, commander in charge of nuclear security for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claims Iran could “review [its] nuclear doctrine and deviate from [previous] considerations”
MAY 2024
Kamal Kharrazi, adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, claims, “should Iran’s existence be threatened, the regime may reevaluate its nuclear doctrine”
MAY 2024
Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 13 atomic
weapons within four months. Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile grows to >6,200 kilograms.
IAEA reports Iran is failing to disclose plans to build new nuclear sites, reports no progress on implementing March 2023 joint statement with Iran.
MAY 2024
Despite initial Biden administration opposition, the U.S. and Europe lead passage of IAEA board censure against Iran
JUN 2024
Media reports U.S. and Israeli intelligence observed Iranian scientists working on computer modeling and metallurgy relevant to nuclear weapons development. IAEA reports Iran installing nearly 1,400 advanced centrifuges at Fordow, tripling plant’s capacity to make 60 percent HEU and enhancing breakout capabilities.
JUL 2024
AEOI chief Mohammad Eslami claims Iran exporting key nuclear commodities on global market. Washington asks for clarifications from Iran regarding nuclear weaponization activities and accepts Tehran’s denials and explanations
JUL 2024
U.S. Office of Director of National Intelligence omits usual phrase in report to Congress that
Iran is not working on nuclear-weapons activities. Independent estimates find Iran progressing construction at deeply buried nuclear site near Natanz that could house secret enrichment plant.
AUG 2024
U.S. officials claim Iran’s breakout time is only 1-2 weeks. Chairman of U.S. House Intelligence Committee announces Iran could declare itself a nuclear weapon state by year’s end
AUG 2024
IAEA reports Iran has installed more than 10,000 advanced centrifuges across its three enrichment plants.
SEP 2024
Independent analyses of satellite imagery find Iran is conducting work at two former nuclear weaponization facilities.
OCT 2024
In response to Iran’s ballistic missile barrage, Israel strikes alleged Iranian nuclear weaponization facility, Taleghan 2, located within the Parchin military complex. Strike reportedly destroyed equipment Iran was using to carry out nuclear weaponization experiments.
SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
NOV 2024
Donald Trump elected to second term as U.S. President.
IAEA board censures Iran for noncompliance with nonproliferation obligations. Resolution requires comprehensive IAEA report on Iran's safeguards violations by the spring of 2025.
MAY  2019
Axios report reveals President Biden considered military strikes against Iran late in his term if it moved to acquire nuclear weapons.
FEB 2025
President Trump signs National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 (NSPM-2), restoring U.S. maximum pressure sanctions against the Islamic Republic. In the U.S. Congress, senators and representatives from the Republican Party introduce bicameral legislation calling on the E3 to “snap back” UN sanctions on Iran.
NOV 2019
New York Times report indicates Iran has a team actively looking to shortcut Tehran’s route to nuclear weapons by making “crude” nuclear explosives. Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 17 atomic weapons within four months. IAEA reporting indicates Iran can make enough 60 percent highly enriched uranium for nearly one nuclear weapon per month. Per the IAEA, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium grew by nearly 90 kg, and its stockpile of low-enriched uranium increased by just over 1,000 kg.
MAR 2025
IAEA board declines to censure Iran for noncompliance with its nonproliferation obligations. President Trump reveals that he sent a letter to Iranian officials demanding they negotiate over their nuclear program or face military action.
NOV 2019
IAEA Director General Grossi warns publicly that Iran is “very close to the nuclear threshold—meaning it could potentially acquire atomic weapons.”
APR 2025
U.S. and Iran hold three rounds of indirect nuclear talks at the political level, mediated by Oman. The third round featured a U.S. technical delegation.
NOV 2020
Commercial satellite imagery first published by the Institute for Science and International Security reveals that Iran has established a new security perimeter at the base of Mt. Kolang Gaz La, near the Natanz enrichment facility. Western intelligence agencies fear the site may house a secret enrichment plant.
MAY 2025
U.S. and Iran hold fourth round of indirect nuclear talks mediated by Oman. More than 200 U.S. Republicans in the House and Senate sign a letter to President Trump expressing support for a deal that prohibits domestic uranium enrichment in Iran.
MAY 2018
Donald Trump elected to second term as U.S. President.
IAEA board censures Iran for noncompliance with nonproliferation obligations. Resolution requires comprehensive IAEA report on Iran's safeguards violations by the spring of 2025.
JAN 2025
Axios report reveals President Biden considered military strikes against Iran late in his term if it moved to acquire nuclear weapons.
JAN 2020
President Trump signs National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 (NSPM-2), restoring U.S. maximum pressure sanctions against the Islamic Republic. In the U.S. Congress, senators and representatives from the Republican Party introduce bicameral legislation calling on the E3 to “snap back” UN sanctions on Iran.
FEB 2025
New York Times report indicates Iran has a team actively looking to shortcut Tehran’s route to nuclear weapons by making “crude” nuclear explosives. Independent estimates find Iran has enough enriched uranium to make WGU for 17 atomic weapons within four months. IAEA reporting indicates Iran can make enough 60 percent highly enriched uranium for nearly one nuclear weapon per month. Per the IAEA, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium grew by nearly 90 kg, and its stockpile of low-enriched uranium increased by just over 1,000 kg.
MAR 2025
IAEA board declines to censure Iran for noncompliance with its nonproliferation obligations. President Trump reveals that he sent a letter to Iranian officials demanding they negotiate over their nuclear program or face military action.
MAR 2025
IAEA Director General Grossi warns publicly that Iran is “very close to the nuclear threshold—meaning it could potentially acquire atomic weapons.”
JAN 2020
U.S. and Iran hold three rounds of indirect nuclear talks at the political level, mediated by Oman. The third round featured a U.S. technical delegation.
APR 2025
Commercial satellite imagery first published by the Institute for Science and International Security reveals that Iran has established a new security perimeter at the base of Mt. Kolang Gaz La, near the Natanz enrichment facility. Western intelligence agencies fear the site may house a secret enrichment plant.
JAN 2021
U.S. and Iran holdfourth round of indirect nuclear talks mediated by Oman. More than 200 U.S.Republicans in the House and Senate sign a letter to President Trump expressingsupport for a deal that prohibits domestic uranium enrichment in Iran.