International Relations GS 2 In the news 6 times

Iran's Nuclear Program

Key Technical Facts

Iran's nuclear program has been at the centre of global non-proliferation concerns since the early 2000s. Iran operates uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz (main enrichment site) and Fordow (buried underground). The key proliferation concern is the enrichment level: civilian nuclear power requires approximately 3–5% enriched uranium (low-enriched uranium, LEU); weapons-grade uranium is enriched to 90% or above (highly enriched uranium, HEU).

Key details

Weapons-grade uranium (HEU): ≥90% enrichment of U-235
Civilian power reactor grade: 3.5–5% enrichment
Research reactor fuel: ~20% enrichment
Under JCPOA (2015): Iran agreed to limit enrichment to 3.67% and reduce stockpile to 300 kg of LEU
Iran's enrichment escalation post-JCPOA exit: to 5% (2019), 20% (January 2021), and 60% (April 2021) — all at Fordow
Current status (as of 2024–26): Iran can produce enough weapons-grade uranium for 5–6 bombs in under two weeks
Breakout time (time to produce enough HEU for one weapon): under 2 weeks, compared to 12 months under JCPOA constraints

In the news

● Tracked since February 26, 2026 · last seen May 21, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

21 May '26

Iran Bans Export of Enriched Uranium: Nuclear Talks at Crossroads

International Relations

13 Apr '26

Collapse of US-Iran Peace Talks: Nuclear Red Lines, Negotiation Dynamics, and Regional Consequences

International Relations

08 Apr '26

Iran's 10-Point Ceasefire Plan: Uranium Enrichment, Sanctions, and Hormuz Control

International Relations

03 Mar '26