Iran Sanctions
Attempts to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East
Iran has had a nuclear program since the 1960s, when it operated a small research reactor that was fueled with highly enriched uranium provided by the United States. In 1970, Iran ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which requires that signatory nations provide information about the peaceful nature of their nuclear program and allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct regular inspections of their nuclear facilities. Following the Islamic revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraq war, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, Iran did little to advance its nuclear program. By the mid-1990s, Iran began showing renewed interest…
