Fact Check: "Iran ramped up nuclear work only after Trump canceled the deal."
What We Know
The claim that "Iran ramped up nuclear work only after Trump canceled the deal" suggests a direct correlation between the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018 and Iran's subsequent nuclear activities. Following the U.S. exit from the JCPOA, Iran began to gradually abandon its commitments under the agreement. By May 2019, Iran announced it would start to back away from the accord, which included increasing uranium enrichment beyond the limits set by the deal (NPR, AP News).
Iran's nuclear program had already been a point of contention prior to the U.S. withdrawal, with various phases of enrichment occurring since the early 2000s. However, the reimposition of U.S. sanctions led to a significant shift in Iran's approach to its nuclear activities, prompting them to accelerate enrichment efforts (Good Morning America, USA Today).
Analysis
The assertion that Iran only ramped up its nuclear work post-Trump's withdrawal is partially true. While it is accurate that Iran increased its nuclear activities following the U.S. exit from the JCPOA, the groundwork for its nuclear program was laid long before this event. Iran had been enriching uranium since at least 2006, and its nuclear ambitions were a source of international concern for years (AP News, Politifact).
The timeline of events indicates that Iran's nuclear program was already progressing, but the U.S. withdrawal and the subsequent sanctions created an environment where Iran felt compelled to enhance its nuclear capabilities as a form of retaliation and to regain leverage in negotiations (NPR, Good Morning America).
Furthermore, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that as of early 2023, Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons, indicating a significant escalation in their nuclear capabilities since the U.S. withdrawal (NPR). This suggests that while the U.S. exit was a catalyst for increased activity, it was not the sole reason for Iran's nuclear advancements.
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. While it is correct that Iran ramped up its nuclear work after the U.S. canceled the nuclear deal, it is essential to recognize that Iran's nuclear program was already in motion prior to this event. The U.S. withdrawal and the reimposition of sanctions acted as significant factors that accelerated Iran's nuclear activities, but they were not the sole initiators of these efforts.
Sources
- 5 years after U.S. left Iran nuclear deal, more enriched Uranium and ... NPR
- Timeline of tensions between Iran and US over Tehran's nuclear program ... AP News
- What was in the Iran nuclear deal and why did Trump withdraw the US ... Good Morning America
- Trump pulled out of Iran nuclear deal in 2018: What to know - USA TODAY USA Today
