Iran Flag for Iran

Country Spotlight

Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been a focus of international diplomacy for decades. Faced with accusations of nuclear weapons pursuits in violation of its NPT commitments, Iran concluded a 2015 agreement, the JCPOA, to restrict its nuclear program. However, the 2018 U.S. withdrawal from the deal and subsequent Iranian violations cast doubt on the deal’s future.

See Iran's performance in

Region   Middle East and North Africa

142.1 kg Uranium enriched to 60% as of May 2024

4,486.8 kg Total stockpile of enriched uranium as of October 2023

2,000 km Self-imposed range limit on ballistic missiles


Nuclear

  • In February 2024, Iran announced the start of construction of four new nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts; Iran plans to produce 20,000 megawatts of nuclear energy by 2041
  • Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) concluded in 2015 to restrict Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief
  • Possesses complete uranium fuel cycle capabilities
  • Nuclear program and personnel have been targets of sabotage and assassinations

Iran Nuclear Overview


Biological

  • Denies acquisition or production of biological weapons
  • Has sophisticated biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
  • Engages in dual-use activities which "raise concern" with U.S. government

Iran Biological Overview


Missile

  • Large, increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile and space launch programs
  • Initially received foreign assistance, particularly from North Korea, but today possesses indigenous capabilities
  • Supplies missiles and rockets to partner and proxy groups in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen

Iran Missile Overview


Chemical

  • Suffered severe losses from Iraqi chemical weapons use during the Iran-Iraq War
  • Acknowledges development of limited chemical weapons capability in 1980s but denies ever weaponizing or using chemical weapons
  • Rejects U.S. claims that Iran supplied Libya with chemical munitions in 1980s

Iran Chemical Overview

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

See all Treaties & Regimes

NPT

The NPT is a treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons through the three pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Learn More

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The BTWC mandates the elimination of existing biological weapons and prohibits developing, stockpiling, or using biological and toxin weapons.

Learn More

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) requires countries to destroy all chemical weapons and prohibits developing, stockpiling, or using chemical weapons.

Learn More

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans all nuclear explosion tests on Earth. It needs eight key countries to ratify before entry into force.

Learn More

Facilities

See All Facilities

Close

Flag for Iran Iran


Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP)

  • Location Natanz Enrichment Plant
  • Type Nuclear-Enrichment
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Parchin Military Complex (Nuclear)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Nuclear-Weaponization
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Tehran Research Reactor (TRR)

  • Location Tehran Nuclear Research Center
  • Type Nuclear-Research Reactors
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Zirconium Production Plant (ZPP)

  • Location Isfahan (Esfahan)
  • Type Nuclear-Fuel Fabrication
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Natanz Enrichment Complex

  • Location Natanz, Iran
  • Type Nuclear-Enrichment
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Imam Hussein University (IHU)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Nuclear-Education and Training
  • Facility Status Open

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Fuel Fabrication Laboratory (FFL)

  • Location Isfahan (Esfahan)
  • Type Nuclear-Fuel Fabrication
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Isfahan (Esfahan) Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Center (NFRPC)

  • Location Reshandasht, south east of Isfahan (Esfahan)
  • Type Nuclear-Research and Development
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Isfahan (Esfahan) Nuclear Technology Center (INTC)

  • Location University of Isfahan
  • Type Nuclear-Research and Development
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP)

  • Location Halileh, 12km south of Bushehr
  • Type Nuclear-Power Reactors
  • Facility Status 1 reactor operational, 2 new reactors planned

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Bandar Abbas Uranium Production Plant (BUP)

  • Location Bandar Abbas
  • Type Nuclear-Mining and Milling
  • Facility Status Non-Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant

  • Location Qom, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Base
  • Type Nuclear-Enrichment
  • Facility Status Operational as nuclear, physics and technology center under IAEA safeguards

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP)

  • Location Natanz Enrichment Plant
  • Type Nuclear-Enrichment
  • Facility Status Partially operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Arak Nuclear Complex

  • Location Arak, Iran
  • Type Nuclear-Research Reactors
  • Facility Status Ongoing redesign to meet JCPOA and IAEA requirements

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Nuclear-Regulatory
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Ardakan Yellowcake Production Plant

  • Location Ardakan
  • Type Nuclear-Mining and Milling
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Amirkabir University of Technology

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Nuclear-Education and Training
  • Facility Status Open

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Missile-Regulatory
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Shahroud Missile Test Site

  • Location Shahroud, Tehran province
  • Type Missile-Testing
  • Facility Status Unknown

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Parchin Military Complex (Missile)

  • Location Parchin
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Fajr Industrial Group

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Imam Ali Missile Base

  • Location Khorramabad, Lorestan
  • Type Missile-Missile Bases
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Bakhtaran Missile Base

  • Location Kermanshah
  • Type Missile-Missile Bases
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Bandar Abbas

  • Location Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan
  • Type Missile-Missile Bases
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Defense Industries Organization (DIO) (Missile)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Missile-Regulatory
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Missile-Regulatory
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Bank Sepah

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Imam Khomeini Space Center

  • Location Semnan, Iran
  • Type Missile-Missile Bases
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Saghand Uranium Mine

  • Location Northeast of Yazd province in central Iran desert, Kavir
  • Type Nuclear-Mining and Milling
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Tehran Nuclear Research Center (TNRC)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Nuclear-Weaponization
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF)

  • Location Isfahan (Esfahan)
  • Type Nuclear-Conversion
  • Facility Status Operational; undergoing maintenance since summer 2009

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Lashkar Ab’ad

  • Location Hashtgerd
  • Type Nuclear-Enrichment
  • Facility Status Possibly operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Heavy Water Production Plant (HWPP)

  • Location Khondab, near Arak
  • Type Nuclear-Heavy Water Production
  • Facility Status Probably Operating

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics (IPM)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Nuclear-Education and Training
  • Facility Status Open

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR)

  • Location Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center
  • Type Nuclear-Research Reactors
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Anarak Waste Storage Facility

  • Location Anarak
  • Type Nuclear-Waste Management
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Qom Waste Disposal Site

  • Location Qom
  • Type Nuclear-Waste Management
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Bonab Atomic Energy Research Center

  • Location Bonab
  • Type Nuclear-Research and Development
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Graphite Sub-Critical Reactor (ENTC GSCR)

  • Location Esfahan (Isfahan) Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC)
  • Type Nuclear-Research and Development
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Heavy Water Zero Power Reactor (ENTC-HWZPR)

  • Location Esfahan (Isfahan) Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC)
  • Type Nuclear-Research and Development
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Defense Industries Organization (DIO) (Nuclear)

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Nuclear-Enrichment
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Light Water Sub-Critical Reactor (ENTC-LWSCR)

  • Location Esfahan (Isfahan) Nuclear Technology Center (INTC)
  • Type Nuclear-Research and Development
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Yazd Radiation Processing Center (YRPC)

  • Location Yazd
  • Type Nuclear-Research and Development
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Tabriz Missile Base

  • Location Tabriz
  • Type Missile-Missile Bases
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Semnan Missile Complex

  • Location Semnan
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Shiraz Missile Plant

  • Location Shiraz, Fars
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group

  • Location Tehran
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for Iran Iran


Isfahan Missile Complex

  • Location Isfahan
  • Type Missile-Production
  • Facility Status Operational

Learn More

Flag for IranIran

Analysis

Iran

Education Center

Extensive resources on nuclear policy, biological threats, radiological security, cyber threats and more.

Explore the Center

Sources

Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), “Iran’s Nuclear Program: 1950s and 60s: Atoms for Peace,” isis-online.org.

Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), “Iran’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle,” isisnucleariran.org.

U.S. Department of State, “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” https://2009-2017.state.gov.

U.S. Department of State, “Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments,” April 2023, www.state.gov.

International Atomic Energy Agency, Board of Governors, “NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” GOV/2023/58, November 15, 2023, www.iaea.org.

Stephanie Liechtenstein, “UN agency report says Iran has further increased it uranium stockpile,” Associated Press, November 15, 2023, www.apnews.com.

“Iran begins building 4 more nuclear power plants,” Associated Press, February 1, 2024, https://apnews.com.

Stephanie Liechtenstein, “Iran further increases its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, watchdog says,” Associated Press, May 27, 2024, https://apnews.com.

Close

My Resources