Key Facts

Key non-proliferation details regarding Iran's nuclear program:

• The Stockpile: Iran possesses an estimated 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60% U-235 purity.
• Breakout Time: Nuclear physicists estimate that if further enriched to weapons-grade (90%), this quantity is technically sufficient to produce nuclear fissile cores for multiple nuclear warheads.
• Civilian vs Weapons Grade: Commercial nuclear power reactors typically require low-enriched uranium (LEU) of 3% to 5% purity; research reactors use up to 20%; 60% to 90% constitutes highly enriched uranium (HEU).
• Inspection Standoff: Tehran has restricted IAEA surveillance cameras and revoked accreditation for several veteran UN nuclear inspectors since the collapse of the 2015 JCPOA accord.

GK Context

• The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed in July 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China + Germany).
• Under the pact, Iran capped enrichment at 3.67% in exchange for lifting international sanctions.
• In May 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord under the Trump administration.

Static GK

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established in July 1957 as an autonomous organization under the aegis of the United Nations, stemming from US President Dwight D.
• Eisenhower's famous 'Atoms for Peace' address in 1953.
• Headquartered at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria, the IAEA was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.

UPSC Mains Framework

GS Paper II (International Relations & Nuclear Non-Proliferation / West Asia Geopolitics): Discuss the implications of the collapse of the JCPOA on West Asian regional security. How does nuclear proliferation in the Persian Gulf threaten India's energy and diaspora security?