Notes for World History
IRAN AND ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM
- Iran already had nuclear technology before the 1979 revolution when the Shah was overthrown.
- Shah insisted that the nuclear program was for entirely peaceful purposes and Iran signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
- The govt of the new Islamic republic stopped the nuclear program on the grounds that it was too expensive and required foreign expertise to operate. However , there were serious power shortages and govt revoked its decision and nuclear program resumed.
- In 2002, the West was convinced that Iran was on the verge of producing a nuclear weapon and it demanded Iran to give up nuclear enrichment.
- The request was rejected and since 2005 Iran has refused to negotiate about it.
