CASE STUDY 2: IRANS NUCLEAR PROGRAM

1957
The United States and Iran sign a civil nuclear cooperation agreement as part of the
US Atoms for Peace program. The agreement, which provides for technical assistance
and the lease of several kilograms of enriched uranium, also calls for cooperation on
research on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
US Department of State, "Atoms for Peace Agreement with Iran," Department of
State Bulletin 36 (15 April
1957), p. 629; in Daniel Poneman, Nuclear Power in the Developing World (London:
George Allen & Unwin, 1982), p. 84.

1 July 1968
Iran signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) on the day it is opened for
signature. Anne Hessing Cahn, "Determinants of the Nuclear Option: The Case of
Iran," Nuclear Proliferation in the Near- Nuclear Countries (Cambridge: Ballinger
Publishing Co., 1975), Onkar Marwah and Ann Shulz, eds., p. 186.

December 1972
The Iranian government announces that it intends to obtain nuclear power plants
within the next ten years, and Iran's Ministry of Water and Power begins to study the
possibility of constructing a nuclear power plant in southern Iran. "Nuclear Plant
Study Started," Kayhan International, 19 December 1972; in Anne Hessing Cahn,
"Determinants of the Nuclear Option: The Case of Iran," Nuclear Proliferation in the
Near-Nuclear Countries (Cambridge: Ballinger Publishing Co., 1975), Onkar Marwah
and Ann Shulz, eds., p. 189.

7 November 1974
A US State Department document says nuclear cooperation between Iran and the
United States is the centerpiece of the US-Iran Commission, per the wishes of the
Shah. The document suggests that the efforts for nuclear energy should be headed by
the US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), whose head
should be an unofficial member of the Joint Commission.
Robert S. Ingersoll, "US-Iran Joint Commission," Secret Briefing Memorandum, 7
November 1974, in Digital National Security Archive, nsarchive.chadwyck.com.

October 1974
Several sources report that Iran has expressed interest in purchasing uranium from
Australia on a regular basis. "Iran is Interested in UraniumWhitlam," Kayhan
International, 5 October 1974; in Anne Hessing Cahn, "Determinants of the Nuclear
Option: The Case of Iran," Nuclear Proliferation in the Near-Nuclear Countries
(Cambridge: Ballinger Publishing Co., 1975), Onkar Marwah and Ann Shulz, eds., p.
190.


15 May 1974
Iran's safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
enters into force. The Annual Report for 1992, International Atomic Energy
Agency, Document GC(XXXVII)1060, July 1993, p. 140; Anne Hessing Cahn,
"Determinants of the Nuclear Option: The Case of Iran," Nuclear Proliferation in the
Near- Nuclear Countries (Cambridge: Ballinger Publishing Co., 1975), Onkar
Marwah and Ann Shulz, eds., p. 187.
Mid-1970s
Denmark supplies Iran with 10kg of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and 25kg of
natural uranium for research reactor fuel. [Note: After Iraqi bomb attacks on Iran's
Bushehr reactors in November 1987, the International Atomic Energy Agency
confirms that Iran had moved a small amount of research reactor fuel to the site in
hopes of heading off an attack. One source indicates the fuel was supplied by
Denmark.]
Mark Hibbs, "Bushehr Construction Now Remote After Three Iraqi Air Strikes,"
Nucleonics Week, 26 November 1987, pp. 5-6.
January 1979
The Shah of Iran is deposed in the Islamic Revolution and Iran's Prime Minister
"annuls" its reactor contract with France. [Note: See October 1977 entry on the
signing of the contracts.] Daniel Poneman, Nuclear Power in the Developing World
(London: George Allen & Unwin, 1982), p. 96.

1979
Because of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the United States stops its supply of highly
enriched uranium (HEU) to Iran. Iran cancels its agreement with the Eurodif
consortium, demanding full repayment of the $1 billion loan it provided for the
construction of the Tricastin plan. Iran halts payments begun in 1977 for future
enrichment services.
Richard Kessler, "Argentina's Invap To Supply Iran Fuel For Research Reactor,"
Nucleonics Week, 14 May 1987, Vol. 28, No. 20, p. 2; Gamini Seneviratne, Nuclear
Fuel, 3 October 1988, p. 6; Nuclear Engineering International, August 1990, p. 4;
Nuclear News, February 1991, p. 48; Nucleonics Week, 28 February 1991, p. 15;
Nuclear Engineering International, April 1991, p. 8; Ann Maclachlan, "Eurodif's
Balance Sheet Threatened By Iranian Problem," Nuclear Fuel, 10 June 1991, Vol. 16,
No. 12, pp. 4-5; in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.

March 1980
A US report quotes an intelligence source who says that Iran's interest in new smaller
reactors leads him to believe that it wants to develop nuclear weapons. Leonard S.
Spector with Jacqueline R. Smith, Nuclear Ambitions: The Spread of Nuclear
Weapons, 1989-1990 (Boulder: Westview Press, 1990), p. 208.
5 March 1985
Iraq attacks the Bushehr nuclear power plant. "Iran Atomic Energy Agency Head
Goes to Bushehr," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 June 1989, www.lexis-
nexis.com.

26 February 1986
Iran and Iraq say to both the International Atomic Energy Agency and the press that
an attack by Iraq against an Iranian nuclear facility is possible. Gamini Seneviratne,
"USSR Says IAEA Can Hold Safeguards Inspections At Bn-600 Breeder,"
Nucleonics Week, 26 February 1987, p. 13.


14 September 1995
In a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev in Moscow, Israeli Prime
Minister Yitzhak Rabin criticizes the sale of Russian reactors to Iran. In response,
Kozyrev explains that the "peaceful" Russian-Iranian agreement complies with
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) requirements, and pointed out that, unlike
Israel, Iran has signed the NPT. Consequently, Russian-Iranian cooperation poses no
threat to Israeli security. "We have reliable information that Iran is not planning to
make nuclear weapons," a Russian Atomic Energy Ministry senior official says in an
interview with Interfax. After meeting with Russian Prime Minister Viktor
Chernomyrdin, Rabin says if the United States could not convince Russia to drop the
deal with Iran, Israel had very little chance to do so. Israel is ready to make economic
concessions if Russia cancels its nuclear contract with Iran, but Russian officials
rejected this possibility. "Reactor Is For Peaceful Use By Iran, Russians Tell
Rabin," International Herald Tribune, 15 September 1995; "Rabin Fails To Sway
Russia On Reactors For Iran," Financial Times, 15 September 1995; "Moscow Bridles
Against Accusations," Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 16 September 1995, p. 1; "Rabin Has Not
Closed Nuclear Plant In Bushehr," Aleksei Chukurov, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 16
September 1995, p. 1.

5 December 2005
Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani says his country plans to "construct two
more nuclear power plants." In a separate broadcast Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad announced the new reactor would be built in the Khuzestan province,
the site of an unfinished power plant built by France, where construction was halted
following the Islamic revolution of 1979.
Nassir Karimi, "Iran to Build at Least One More Atom Plant," Boston Globe, 5
December 2005; "Iran Announces Plan to Construct Second Nuclear Power Plant,"
Associated Press, 5 December 2005.

24 November 2005
The International Atomic Energy Agency postpones referring Iran to the UN Security
Council after the European Union asks for additional time to negotiate a joint
Russian-Iranian uranium enrichment proposal. In addition, the EU says it will call an
emergency board meeting before the next scheduled IAEA meeting in March "if
Iranian behavior makes it necessary."
Richard Bernstein, "Atomic Agency Delays Action on Iran," New York Times, 24
November 2005; "Roundup: IAEA Postpones Referral of Iran's Nuclear Issue to UN,"
Xinhua, 25 November 2005; George Jahn, "EU Says Iran Possessed Documents
Solely for Making Nuclear Arms," Associated Press, 24 November 2005.
23 November 2005
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Motaki says Iran has not received a joint
uranium enrichment venture proposal from Russia. "Iran Denies Receiving Russian
Uranium Enrichment Proposal," RIA-Novosti, 23 November 2005.

21 November 2005
United States and European officials agree to not refer Iran to the UN Security
Council. Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, say they want to give
Russia more time to convince Tehran to move the nuclear enrichment stage to Russia.
U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack says Washington is
"encouraging Iran to get back to the negotiating table with the EU-3 at this point."
George Jahn, "U.S., Europe Won't Push for Move on Iran," Associated Press, 20
November 2005.

20 November 2005
The Iranian parliament approves a bill requiring the government to prevent
international inspections of all nuclear facilities, in the event the International Atomic
Energy Agency refers Iran to the Security Council. The bill is now headed to the
Guardian Council where it must be ratified in order to become law. "Iran Votes to
Block Nuclear Inspections" Associated Press, 20 November 2005.


11 November 2005
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice denies that the United States had any part in
a recent EU proposal that would allow Iran to continue limited nuclear work.
Indicating that the US is intently interested in the problem but not an author of the
proposed EU solution, Secretary Rice adds that, the U.S. is not a "party to these
negotiations...there is no U.S.-European proposal to the Iranians."
"Rice Denies U.S. Is Leading Nuclear Talks With Tehran," New York Times, 11
November 2005



3 November 2005
UN nuclear inspectors are granted access to Iran's sensitive Parchin military complex.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has sought to re-inspect the facility,
suspected of nuclear weapons development, but has not been allowed to enter since its
last visit in January of 2005. "UN Inspectors Visit Iran Complex," BBC, 3
November 2005.

9 October 2005
Iran's Secretary of the Supreme Council of National Security, Ali Larijani, reiterates
that if his country is "addressed with a language of menace and force, we shall
continue with the NPT and talking, but will get out of the Additional Protocols."
Safa Haeri, "Iran Confirms Stopping Additional Protocol of the NPT," Iran Press
Service, 9 October 2005.

12 April 2005
Israeli intelligence reports indicate that although Iran has suspended uranium
enrichment, Tehran continues to acquire elements for its nuclear capability. Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon called on U.S. President George Bush "to step up the
diplomatic efforts to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb." Israeli radio
reported Sharon's aides as saying "Israel in not initiating or leading an offensive
against Iran."
Aluf Benn, "PM Calls on Bush for More Pressure Against Iran," Haaretz, 12 April
2005.


23 February 2005
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami reiterates that giving up his country's nuclear
program or technology are not options agreeable to Iran. Indicating deep differences
and mistrust as reasons why the negotiations are going slow, Khatami says he is "not
pessimistic...[but] hopeful" about the talks with European negotiators. Ali Akbar
Careini, "Iran Acknowledges 'Deep Differences' with Europe in Nuclear Talks,"
Associated Press, 23 February 2005.

20 February 2005
During an interview, Hossein Mousavian, senior nuclear negotiator for Iran's Supreme
National Security Council (SNSC) describes the SNSC's three policy goals to control
the nuclear crises as such: 1. Eliminate the immediate threat of referring the case to
the UN Security Council. 2. Preserve the capabilities and fruits of the country's
nuclear activities.
3. Create a situation where our nuclear activities, especially enrichment, would
continue and the rest of our nuclear activities be strengthened, despite nuclear
sanctions. In addition, Mr. Mousavian breaks down the 3rd goal into a seven-part
strategy: 1. Prevent an international front against Iran's nuclear case.
2. Devise a plan and program to gradually alleviate the international community's
suspicions about Iran's nuclear activities, which had been created over the course of
20-some years because of the American and Western propaganda. 3. Correct world
public opinion, because the Americans had portrayed Iran's nuclear activities as a
monster to the world. The polls that were taken worldwide (of course, on a case-by-
case basis in different countries) showed that about 66 to 67 percent of the people
around the world thought Iran's nuclear activities were a serious threat to international
peace. Well, with this kind of public opinion, one cannot pursue nuclear activities
peacefully.
4. Build Iran's good relations with the agency because in those days, relations
between Iran and the agency had been strained. This was on the agenda of the board
of governors, and normalizing these relations again was a very difficult task. We had
to go through three stages to do this: addressing the ambiguities and questions of the
agency, making efforts to remove Iran from the board of governors' agenda, and
going through the stages of rebuilding relations between Iran and the agency.
5. Reach a national consensus on this crisis, because this is not something for only
one agency or one ministry to take full responsibility for. We have to have a national
consensus to manage this crisis. 6. Unify management that could manage this crisis
and coordinate all activities inside the country. "Iran: Negotiator Outlines Strategy,
Success, Failures of Nuclear Talks," E'tedal va Towse'eh, 20 February 2005, in FBIS
Document IAP20050722321001.


16 February 2005
Speaking in London, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom contends that Iran will
have the knowledge to build nuclear weapons within six months. "Israeli Official:
Iran Will Have Knowledge to Build Atomic Bomb in six months," Associated Press,
16 February 2005.



16 February 2005
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani notes Iranian
plans to build seven nuclear power plants in the country, and suggests that IAEA
investigators are now convinced of Iran's peaceful nuclear ambitions. Konstantin
Kazeyev, "Iran to Continue Uranium Enrichment and to Build Seven N-Plants,"
ITAR-TASS, 16 February 2005.

17 January 2005
In an NBC news interview, President Bush states that military action against Iran
remains an option "if it continues to stonewall the international community about the
existence of its nuclear weapons program." "Bush Won't Rule Out Action Against
Iran Over Nukes," Reuters, 17 January 2005.


14 September 2006
The Washington Post claims that Iran may be experimenting with the enrichment of
uranium using laser technology. According to Alireza Jafarzadeh, who heads the
Washington-based Strategic Policy Consulting Inc., an Iranian opposition group, says
that Iran is secretly conducting laser enrichment activities at Lashkar Ab'ad and is
using "every possibility that is available to them to rush to the bomb." Edith M.
Lederer, "Opposition: Iran Using Laser Enrichment," Washington Post, 14 September
2006.

21 August 2006
According to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, "the Islamic republic of
Iran has made its own decisions and in the nuclear case, God willing, with patience
and power, will continue its path." This televised announcement comes on the eve of
Tehran's self-imposed August 22nd deadline to respond to an incentives package
offered by the United Nations (UN) in exchange for Iranian suspension of its
enrichment activities. Consequently, Iran has turned away UN inspectors vying to
observe ongoing efforts in the main nuclear facility in Natanz.
"Iran will continue pursuing nuclear technology, supreme leader says," USA
Today, 21 August 2006.

25 January 2006
Representatives from six key nations, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United
Kingdom, and the United States plan to meet in London on 30 January to discuss
what actions should be taken regarding Iran's nuclear activities. They are considering
a new approach, where they would first urge Iran to suspend enrichment activities and
come back to talks with the EU and secondly, give the IAEA more inspection
authority. Failure to act on the aforementioned would result in sanctions for Iran.
"Key Foreign Ministers to discuss Iran Nuclear Issue," Global Security Newswire,
25 January 2006.





3 January 2006
The U.S. State Department declares that it is going to impose sanctions on nine
companies on the basis of credible information that the companies had transferred
equipment or technology in violation of the Iran Nonproliferation Act. The State
Department list of nine companies includes six in China, two in India, and one in
Austria, all accused for having sold materials to Iran that are included in export
control lists, or can be used in the production of missiles and weapons of mass
destruction.
"USA sanctions 9 firms under Iran Nonproliferation Act," Defense Industry Daily,
3 January 2006; Barry Schweid, "State Dept. sanctions 9 foreign companies for Iran
arms sales," Associated Press, 27 December 2005.

11 January 2009
In an interview on the ABC news program "This Week," President-elect Barack
Obama says that "Iran is going to be one of our biggest challenges," expressing
concern that the Islamic republic's pursuit of nuclear technology may trigger an arms
race in the Middle East. He reiterates his plan to take a "new approach" with Iran,
including a "new emphasis on being willing to talk."
Brian Knowlton, "In Interview, Obama Talks of 'New Approach' to Iran," The New
York Times, 12 January 2009; "Obama to engage with Tehran," The Irish Times, 12
January 2009; Ed Pilkington and Julian Borger, "Obama promises to move swiftly in
adopting new approach to Tehran: Iran offered engagement with 'certain
expectations': Report reveals mission to disrupt atomic ambitions," The Guardian, 12
January 2009; "Door open to talks with Iran," The Australian, 13 January 2009.


9 February 2009
The United States is considering how to overcome decades of tension with Iran in
order to win Tehran's cooperation on its nuclear work. According to President Obama,
" the expectation is that in the coming months we will be looking for an option that
can be created where we can start sitting across the table, face to face; diplomatic
overtures that will allow us to move our policy in a new direction." "U.S. Mulls
Methods of Engaging Iran," Global Security Newswire, 10 February 2009; Thomas
Erdbink, "Iran Signals Opening with the U.S.," The Washington Post, 11 February
2009.

September 2009
Warning on Nuclear Deception
American, British and French officials declassify some of their most closely held
intelligence and describe a multiyear Iranian effort, tracked by spies and satellites, to
build a secret uranium enrichment plant deep inside a mountain.
The new plant, which Iran strongly denies is intended to be kept secret or used for
making weapons, is months from completion and does nothing to shorten intelligence
estimates of how long it would take Iran to produce a bomb. American intelligence
officials say it will take at least a year, perhaps five, for Iran to develop the full ability
to make a nuclear weapon.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/20/world/middleeast/Iran-nuclear-
timeline.html?_r=0#/#time243_7218



June 2010
U.N. Approves New Sanctions
The United Nations Security Council levels its fourth round of sanctions against
Irans nuclear program. The sanctions curtail military purchases, trade and financial
transactions carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which controls
the nuclear program.
The Security Council also requires countries to inspect ships or planes headed to or
from Iran if they suspect banned cargo. In addition, Iran is barred from investing in
other countries' nuclear enrichment plants, uranium mines and related technologies,
and the Security Council sets up a committee to monitor enforcement.

September 27 2012
Israel's 'Red Line'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel tells the United Nations that Irans
capability to enrich uranium must be stopped before the spring or early summer,
arguing that by that time Iran will be in a position to make a short, perhaps
undetectable, sprint to manufacture its first nuclear weapon.

February 26 2013
Defiant Mood at Talks
Iran meets with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany in
Kazakhstan, but talks end with no specific agreement over a proposal that would
sharply constrain Irans stockpile of the most dangerous enriched uranium, in return
for a modest lifting of some sanctions.
The six powers also agreed that Iran could keep a small amount of 20 percent
enriched uranium which can be converted to bomb grade with modest additional
processing for use in a reactor to produce medical isotopes.
Iranian oil sales have been reduced by half as a result of the international pressure on
the country, and restrictions on financial transactions and transportation have created
many difficulties for its leaders.

April 9 2013
After Talks End, Iran Announces an Expansion of Nuclear
Fuel Production
Irans president announces an expansion of the countrys uranium production and
claims other atomic energy advances, striking a pugnacious tone in the aftermath of
diplomatic talks thatended in an impasse with the big powers on April 6 in
Kazakhstan.

September 27 2013
First Direct US-Iran Talk Since 1979
President Obama says he has spoken by phone with President Hassan Rouhani, the
first direct contact between the leaders of Iran and the United States since 1979. Mr.
Obama, speaking in the White House briefing room, said the two leaders discussed
Irans nuclear program and said he was persuaded there was a basis for an agreement.
Moments before Mr. Obama's announcement, Mr. Rouhani's Twitter account posted
this now-deleted message: "In a phone conversation b/w #Iranian & #US Presidents
just now: @HassanRouhani: "Have a Nice Day!" @BarackObama: "Thank you.
Khodahafez."
October 2013
Iran Talks Called Substantive
Iran and a group of six world powers say that they have engaged in substantive and
forward-looking discussions on the disputed Iranian nuclear program and that they
will reconvene on November 7.
The account of the two days of talks in Geneva came in a rare joint statement from
Irans foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and Catherine Ashton, the foreign
policy chief for the European Union, who is the lead negotiator with Iran.

November 2013
Iran Talks Called Substantive
Iran and a group of six world powers say that they have engaged in substantive and
forward-looking discussions on the disputed Iranian nuclear program and that they
will reconvene on November 7. The account of the two days of talks in Geneva came
in a rare joint statement from Irans foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and
Catherine Ashton, the foreign policy chief for the European Union, who is the lead
negotiator with Iran.

July 2014
Iran Outlines Nuclear Deal; Accepts Limit
As the deadline for the talks approaches on Sunday, Irans foreign minister,
Mohammad Javad Zarif, says the country could accept a freeze on its capacity to
produce nuclear fuel at current levels for several years, provided it could eventually
produce fuel unhindered.
The proposal will effectively extend a limited series of concessions Iran made last
November as part of a temporary deal to get negotiations started on a permanent
accord. In return, Iran wants step-by-step relief from sanctions that have substantially
weakened its economy.


("Iran Nuclear Chronology ", 2011)
(Sinha & Beachy, 2014 )





















Reference List
Iran Nuclear Chronology (2011). from
http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/iran_nuclear.pdf?_=1316542527
Sinha, S., & Beachy, S. C. (2014 ). Timeline on Iran's Nuclear Program from
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/20/world/middleeast/Iran-
nuclear-timeline.html?_r=0 - /#time243_8111