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Iran's Nuclear Program: A Timeline
A Long and Winding Road
Iran's nuclear program has been a source of international concern for decades. The country has long maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but many countries believe that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons. In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement with the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The JCPOA placed limits on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, and Iran has since begun to scale back its compliance with the agreement.
Timeline of Iran's Nuclear Program
* 1957: Iran signs a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States.
* 1967: Iran opens its first nuclear research reactor, the Tehran Research Reactor.
* 1979: The Islamic Revolution takes place in Iran.
* 1980-1988: Iran-Iraq War.
* 1984: Iran begins construction of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.
* 1992: Iran signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
* 2002: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) finds evidence of undeclared nuclear activities in Iran.
* 2006: The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 1696, which demands that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment activities.
* 2007: The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 1737, which imposes sanctions on Iran.
* 2009: Iran begins enriching uranium to 20%.
* 2010: The United States and Iran hold talks on Iran's nuclear program.
* 2011: The United States and Iran hold talks on Iran's nuclear program.
* 2012: The United States and Iran hold talks on Iran's nuclear program.
* 2013: Iran and the P5+1 (the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) reach an interim agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
* 2015: Iran and the P5+1 reach the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
* 2018: The United States withdraws from the JCPOA.
* 2019: Iran begins to scale back its compliance with the JCPOA.
* 2020: Iran's nuclear program continues to be a source of international concern.
Conclusion
Iran's nuclear program has been a source of international concern for decades. The country has long maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but many countries believe that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons. The future of Iran's nuclear program is uncertain. The United States has withdrawn from the JCPOA, and Iran has begun to scale back its compliance with the agreement. It is unclear whether Iran will continue to develop its nuclear program or whether it will return to compliance with the JCPOA.