Iran's nuclear activity began in the 1950s, coincidentally with American help, and within the framework of the "Atoms for Peace" programme which the US now wants to end. In 1967, Tehran installed a 5-megawatt research reactor at the University of Tehran and received 93% enriched uranium fuel from the United States.
In the 1970s, it turned to European countries to further develop its nuclear programme and signed a contract with the West German company Siemens to build the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a project that was completed by Russia after the 1979 revolution. With the disclosure of the Natanz and Arak facilities in 2002, the West increased the severity of its sanctions and pressure on Iran.
