Timeline of Iran's nuclear program and disarmament negotiations

Israel’s strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure are a watershed moment in the region’s history. Reports indicate that the Jewish state has killed several senior leaders of Iran’s military and scientific establishment, and damaged airfields, weapons depots and nuclear sites. Iran retaliated by unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel late Friday. The attacks come as nuclear negotiations between Iranian and American representatives were set to be held in Oman this Sunday. A previous deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed in 2015 by then-president Barack Obama, which Donald Trump withdrew from three years later, calling it “a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.” Iran’s nuclear ambitions trace back to the post-Second World War era, a moment when the country boasted strong ties with America and Europe, especially under the leadership of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. After Pahlavi was deposed during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ascended to power, remaking the relatively liberal country into a religious stronghold. The following is a timeline of the major milestones in Iran’s nuclear history. The Shah Years 1957 – President Dwight Eisenhower and Pahlavi sign a civil nuclear cooperation deal. 1958 – Iran joins nuclear regulatory body, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 1967 – The Tehran Nuclear Research Centre, a 5 Megawatt reactor powered by enriched uranium, is established as part of the United State’s “Atoms for Peace Program” for civil nuclear use. 1968 – Iran joins dozens of countries in signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. 1974 – Pahlavi creates the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, outlining the ambitious goal of creating nearly two dozen nuclear power plants across the country over two decades. 1975 – Pahlavi pledges Iran has “no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons,” though warns “if small states began building them, Iran might have to reconsider its policy.” Iranian Revolution and tensions with America 1979 – Pahlavi is deposed, Khomeini assumes power and America imposes a series of orders banning Iranian oil, freezing assets of the new regime. 1980-1988 – The Iran-Iraq War leads to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. 1984 – The American State Department designates Iran a state sponsor of terrorism. 1987 – Iran signs nuclear cooperation deal with Pakistan. 1989 – Khomeini dies and is succeeded by Ali Khamenei. 1990 – Nuclear cooperation pact signed with China. 1992 – Bilateral nuclear deal with Russia signed. 1993 – Collaboration between North Korea and Iran begins, the Islamic Republic gains possession of Shahab-3 ballistic missiles and nuclear expertise from the hermit kingdom. 1995 – Iran signs deal with Russia to build nuclear power plant in Bushehr. 1998 – America warns Iran could be on a path to weaponizing its nuclear program. 2000 – United States imposes first nuclear-related sanctions on the Islamic Republic. International Negotiations, Sanctions, Threats to Destroy Israel 2002 – Iranian group opposed to Islamic regime publicizes uranium enrichment activity at Natanz and heavy water facility in Arak. 2003 – IAEA passes resolution demanding Iran disclose aspects of its nuclear program and suspend enrichment efforts. The international body discovers traces of high enrichment at Natanz nuclear plant. 2004 – Iran agrees to temporarily freeze enrichment as talks unfold in Paris among European powers (known as the “Paris Agreement”); America discovers Iran is modifying existing ballistic missile capabilities to carry nuclear warheads. 2005 – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declares “Israel must be wiped off the map.” President George W. Bush imposes sanctions on Iran due to continued pursuit of nuclear program. 2006 – United Nations Security Council imposes sanctions on Iran for continued pursuit of enrichment. 2008 – Barack Obama elected president of United States. 2009 –   “Green Movement” protests ripple across Iran as public grows frustrated with political corruption; America joins Iran negotiation efforts alongside United Kingdom, France, China and Russia to form “P5+1” 2011 – European powers and the U.S. sanction Iranian banking sector and access to international financial markets 2012 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls Iranian nuclear weapons a “red line.” 2015 – JCPOA deal signed providing sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for restricting nuclear advancements, but critics say so-called “ sunset provisions, ” which only temporarily restrict uranium stockpiles and the number of centrifuges, are problematic. Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei vows Israel will not exist in “25 years” during speech in Tehran. Trump Years and Latest Escalation 2016 – Donald Trump defeats Hillary Clinton in presidential race; Congress passes extension of the Iran Sanctions Act. 2017 – Iran conducts ballistic missile test in violation of United Nations resolution and displays a new weapon, the Khoramshahr , during a public military parade. 2018 – Trump unilaterally withdraws America from JCPOA, denounces it as “worst deal ever” and begins reimposing sanctions on Iranian economy. 2019 – Iran vows to walk away from JCPOA unless remaining parties pledge compensation. Islamic Republic activates sophisticated centrifuges outlawed in 2015 deal; Trump imposes sanctions on Khamenei and other leaders, designates Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terror group. 2020 – IRGC leader Qasem Soleimani is killed in an American drone strike. Iran targets U.S. military bases throughout the region and downs a Ukrainian civilian plane carrying nearly 200 passengers. Iran announces intention to no longer uphold JCPOA as European nations seek resolution to ongoing violations. Trump loses presidential election to Joe Biden. 2021 – Iran begins enriching uranium to 20 per cent level at Fordow facility, the threshold beyond which civilian use is limited; Ayatollah Khameini threatens weapons-grade enrichment levels as high as 60 per cent; Biden administration announces willingness to rejoin JCPOA if Iran meets obligations. 2022 – Iran and United States meet indirectly for ongoing talks in Doha. Nuclear talks in Vienna break down. Biden maintains military option to prevent a nuclear Iran as a “last resort” 2023 – Iran acknowledges it has reached enrichment level of 84 per cent. Hamas invades Israel on October 7. Iranian proxies, including the Yemen-based Houthis rebels and Hezbollah, attack Jewish state following the terrorist attack. 2024 – Israel believed to be behind targeting of Iranian consular building in Syria, which killed generals and Hezbollah militants. Iran responds with hundreds of missiles and drone strikes at Israel. IAEA notes Iran is ramping up centrifuge production. 2025 – Trump administration restarts talks with Iran, begins holding negotiations in Oman. IAEA reports widespread Iranian non-compliance, warns country has capacity to make several nuclear bombs. Israel carries out hundreds of air strikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure. National Post, with additional reporting from The Associated Press

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