Anna's Deep Dives

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Deep Dive: Iran’s Nuclear Program—Past, Present, and Future

Iran’s nuclear program has long been a focal point of global security. But how did it begin, where does it stand today, and what happens next?

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In 2015, world powers signed the Iran Nuclear Deal, hoping to curb Iran’s uranium enrichment. In 2018, the U.S. withdrew, reigniting tensions. By 2024, Iran had enriched uranium to 60%, just shy of weapons-grade, while regional conflicts escalated. Today, the world watches as Iran inches closer to a nuclear threshold, with international diplomacy, sanctions, and military threats shaping its next moves.

Despite years of negotiations, the risks have only grown. Israel has launched strikes on Iranian facilities. Saudi Arabia is signaling its own nuclear ambitions. The U.S. is weighing diplomatic versus military options. And behind the scenes, Iran has built alliances with China and Russia to sidestep sanctions and advance its technology.

Yet, many discussions around Iran’s nuclear program remain surface-level, missing the deeper forces at play—historical milestones, technical intricacies, economic consequences, and the real stakes for global stability.

For this deep dive, we sifted through data from 1,800 sources to present the full picture. We break down how uranium enrichment works, the geopolitical chess game surrounding Iran, the impact of cyber warfare (including the infamous Stuxnet attack), and the business of nuclear sanctions. We examine key diplomatic efforts—what succeeded, what failed, and what could come next.

If we’ve done our job right, this 20 page deep dive will leave you with a clearer, more visceral understanding of Iran’s nuclear program—where it’s been, where it’s going, and what it means for the world.

Table of Contents

^{(Click on any section to start reading it)}

Introduction

• Why study Iran’s nuclear program?

• Overview of its significance in geopolitics and global security.

History of Iran’s Nuclear Program 

• From the Atoms for Peace program to the Islamic Revolution.

• Key milestones in Iran’s nuclear development.

Technical Aspects of Iran’s Nuclear Program

• Uranium enrichment: How it works and why it matters.

• Nuclear facilities: Natanz, Fordow, Arak, and Bushehr.

• Dual-use technologies and proliferation risks.

The Role of the International Community

• The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Iran’s compliance.

• Role of the IAEA: Inspections and findings.

• UN sanctions, diplomacy, and the JCPOA (Iran Nuclear Deal).

Geopolitical Implications

• Iran’s nuclear program and regional security: Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States.

• The role of major powers: The U.S., Russia, and China.

• Impact on global non-proliferation efforts.

The Business of Sanctions and Nuclear Development

• Economic impacts of sanctions on Iran and global markets.

• Iran’s response: Domestic innovation and illicit procurement networks.

Iran’s Nuclear Program in the Digital Age

• Cybersecurity challenges: The Stuxnet attack and its aftermath.

• The role of technology in monitoring and counter-proliferation.

Case Studies in Diplomacy

• Negotiations leading to the 2015 JCPOA.

• U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and its consequences.

• Recent diplomatic efforts and future scenarios.

The Future of Iran’s Nuclear Program

• What lies ahead for Iran’s nuclear ambitions?

• Potential paths: Reconciliation, escalation, or stagnation.

• Implications for global security and the balance of power.

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️