Iran: more than twelve years of crisis

Doubts about the nature of Iran's nuclear program appear in 2002, when satellite images reveal the existence of two non-declared nuclear installations: an underground uranium enrichment site at Natanz, left of the screen, and heavy water reactor at Arak, likely to produce significant quantities of plutonium. Clandestine activities, which lasted since 1984 and it is feared a military purpose.

After announcing that Iran produced enriched uranium which can be used as civilian and military, the IAEA signed an agreement with Tehran in December 2003, allowing the UN agency to make inspections.

In 2004, an agreement was reached with France, Germany and the United Kingdom on a suspension of uranium enrichment activities, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami sign a road map with the head of the IAEA out Litigation.

But in August 2005, Tehran breaks the agreement with the three EU powers and resumes uranium conversion plant in Isfahan. Europeans are threatening to carry the case to the Security Council of the UN.

The election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as President of Iran in August 2005 opened a new era of disagreements. In April 2006, it solemnly announces that Iran has joined the nuclear club, and is able to produce enriched uranium to fuel nuclear power plants. The Security Council requests the enrichment stop no later than April 28th. Iran refuses.

In December 2006, the Security Council unanimously approved a first package of sanctions prohibiting the sale in Tehran technologies that can be used in its nuclear and missile programs.

After five years of stalemate, with more sanctions against Tehran. In 2010, Ahmadinejad ordered to enrich uranium to 20%. And in 2012, according to the IAEA, Iran has 110 pounds of gear, half needed to make a nuclear bomb.

But the election of the moderate Hassan Rouhani the 2013 presidential will open a window to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. November 24, 2013 in Geneva, Iran and the Group 5 + 1 (USA, Russia, China, France, UK and Germany) sign historic interim agreement that allows to resume negotiations.