The International Atomic Energy Agency discusses the Iranian nuclear issue in 2019

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 completely changed Iran's nuclear development trajectory. Western companies have withdrawn one after another, and the Bushehr nuclear power plant project has come to a standstill. followingthe Iran-Iraq warFrom 1980 to 1988, Iran's nuclear facilities became targets of Iraqi airstrikes, and key facilities such as Natanz were destroyed. In the dilemma of isolation and helplessness, Iran secretly restarted its nuclear program in 1980 and turned to seek technical cooperation from Russia, China, and Pakistan. In 1995, Iran reached an agreement with Russia to continue building the Bushehr nuclear power plant, while accelerating independent research and development of uranium enrichment technology domestically, gradually establishing a complete nuclear fuel cycle capability.

In 2002, Iranian exile organizations exposed the Natanz uranium enrichment facility and the Arak heavy water reactor, causing a shock to the international community. In 2003, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the existence of undeclared nuclear activities in Iran. Iran subsequently signed the Additional Protocol to the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and announced a suspension of uranium enrichment in 2004. However, after Ahmadinejad was elected president in 2005, Iran resumed uranium enrichment activities and made technological breakthroughs - resuming uranium conversion in 2006, producing 20% enriched uranium in 2010, and deploying a new generation of centrifuges.  

Iran's nuclear facilities

Faced with Iran's nuclear progress, the United Nations Security CouncilBetween 2006 and 2010, six sanctions resolutions were passed, and the United States and Europe also implemented severe unilateral sanctions, covering areas such as finance, energy, and trade. Israel has repeatedly threatened military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, while Iran has imposed a blockadeThe lifeline of national oil trade——As a countermeasure, the situation in the Middle East was once tense in the Strait of Hormuz.  

In 2013, moderate President Rouhani came to power, bringing a turning point to the Iranian nuclear issue. After two years of negotiations, Iran reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in 2015. According to the agreement, Iran has agreed to limit its uranium enrichment to 3.67%, limit its stockpile to no more than 300 kilograms, and dismantle two-thirds of its centrifuges in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. In 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran's compliance, and the United Nations subsequently lifted relevant sanctions.  

Iran's Dimona nuclear facility

However, this easing situation came to a sudden end in 2018. The Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and restarted its policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran, citing the agreement's failure to restrict Iran's ballistic missile program and regional behavior. This decision not only tore apart the consensus of the international community, but also put US Iran relations back on a confrontational track. Faced with US sanctions, Iran has gradually broken through the restrictions of the Iran nuclear agreement since 2019, continuously increasing its uranium enrichment and inventory levels. By 2025, Iran's enriched uranium reserves have reached 4744.5 kilograms, of which approximately 408 kilograms are 60% enriched uranium, theoretically capable of refining to weapon grade levels within two weeks.

The Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue was held

In 2024, the Iranian economy is on the brink of collapse under long-term sanctions, with inflation exceeding 50% and the currency depreciating by 80%. In this context, from April to May 2025, the United States and Iran held four rounds of indirect negotiations through Oman, but remained deadlocked on core issues: Iran insisted on lifting all sanctions first and ensuring permanent legal safeguards, while the United States demanded that Iran first restore compliance, fully cease 60% enrichment activities, and accept stricter verification mechanisms.  

International Atomic Energy Agency The June 2025 report serves as a warning bell, confirming that Iran has the technological capability to break through the nuclear threshold in the short term. The 70 year history of the Iran nuclear game proves that unilateral pressure and escalation of confrontation will only lead to“sanction-Breakthrough”The vicious cycle. In the current critical state, diplomatic resolution remains the only feasible way out. History has proven that only through negotiations and finding a balance between security concerns and technological rights can the Middle East avoid sliding into the abyss of nuclear conflict. Just like Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie·As Vissel said:“When the situation is critical, what we need is not a perfect solution, but a feasible path to avoid the worst outcome.”