Our Publications
Weapon Program Background Report
March 30, 2022
Iran possesses thousands of gas centrifuges that are the mainstay of its nuclear program. Gas centrifuges spin uranium hexafluoride gas (UF6) to separate uranium isotopes suitable for nuclear fuel, a process known as uranium enrichment.[1] The number and capacity of these machines determine Iran’s "breakout" time: how long it would take Iran—i
Weapon Program Background Report
July 29, 2021
Since February 2021, Iran has enriched uranium above 60 percent purity, expanded its overall stockpile of enriched uranium, and failed to answer questions from the International Atomic Energy Agency about undeclared nuclear sites.
Weapon Program Background Report
July 29, 2021
Since March 2020, Iran has successfully launched two new, multi-stage space launch vehicles, announced the development of new ballistic and cruise missiles, unveiled underground missile launch facilities, and tested its missiles in a series of military exercises.
Weapon Program Background Report
April 30, 2021
Iran’s missile arsenal is the largest in the Middle East. Despite concerns voiced by the international community, Tehran has persisted in developing a wide array of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Weapon Program Background Report
March 31, 2021
Iran operates a number of nuclear facilities. This infrastructure includes locations where Iran mines natural uranium, plants that process uranium ore into a concentrate, and plants that convert it into uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas. This table lists Iran’s known and alleged nuclear sites and their purpose, location, and operating status.
Weapon Program Background Report
June 29, 2020
Iran's arsenal of guided missiles is the largest and most diverse in the Middle East. The essay provides an overview of Iran's current capabilities, identifies key entities supporting the effort, explains where Iran has found foreign help, and reviews efforts to hinder Tehran’s progress.
Weapon Program Background Report
December 13, 2019
This chronology tracks chemical weapon-related developments involving Iran, from its accession to the Geneva Protocol in 1929, through the use of chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq War, Iran's CW-related procurement from foreign suppliers, and U.S. sanctions targeting entities involved in these procurement efforts.
Weapon Program Background Report
November 26, 2019
This essay describes the origins of Iran's chemical weapon (CW) program during the Iran-Iraq war, Iran's efforts to establish an indigenous CW production capability through foreign procurement, its CW-related transfers, and its adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
Weapon Program Background Report
August 9, 2016
This is a brief history of Iran's progress toward the ability to build a nuclear weapon. The emphasis is on achievements, rather than motives. The achievements presented here have been cataloged primarily by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).