top of page

Iran Accelerates Nuclear Program Development

Nov 20, 2020
1 min read

Updated: Mar 9, 2025

By Nicholas Carl | Co-Author: Kyra Rauschenbach | Contributors: Omer Niazi, Jacob Jones, and Ali Mackie.


The Iranian regime has escalated its nuclear program, further violating the 2015 nuclear deal, to increase pressure on the US and Europe. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran has constructed new underground nuclear infrastructure, where it has begun installing and operating advanced centrifuges in recent weeks. This infrastructure, which is designed to withstand airstrikes, replaces the centrifuge assembly facility allegedly sabotaged in July. Tehran has also accumulated 12 times more low-enriched uranium than permitted by the nuclear deal after beginning to gradually stockpile last year. Iran likely does not seek a nuclear weapon at this time but will use its nuclear progress as a bargaining chip during potential negotiations with the next US administration. Continue reading the full article at the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute.


For citation, use the following reference: Nicholas Carl, "Iran File: Iran Accelerates Nuclear Program Development," Critical Threats Project (AEI), November 20, 2023, Co-Author: Kyra Rauschenbach, Contributors: Omer Niazi, Jacob Jones, and Ali Mackie.


Property of the American Enterprise Institutes' (AEI) Critial Threats Project





 
 

Join the Council's Network

Sign up to receive the Council's latest research, analysis, and commentary, and to stay informed about its work.

By signing up, you agree to receive email updates from the Council on International Law, Order, and Security and to our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Council on International Law, Order, and Security (CILOS) is an independent, nonpartisan policy research institution based in Washington, DC, working at the intersection of international law, international order, and international security. It brings together senior leaders, scholars, and practitioners to inform policy and strategic thinking and to contribute to debate on global order and security.

Council on International Law Order and Security CILOS Logo

Washington, D.C. Office

New York Office

Media Inquiries

General Inquiries

Telephone

20 F Street NW

Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20001

260 Madison Avenue

8th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Council on International Law Order and Security (CILOS) is a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia and determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as a public charity under Section 509(a)(2). Employer Identification Number: 99-4053953. Contributions to the Council are deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent permitted by law.

© 2026 Council on International Law, Order, and Security. All rights reserved.

bottom of page