This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
On July 1, 2019, Iran announced that it had exceeded the limit on low-enriched uranium set by the 2015 nuclear deal, a move that has raised concerns about its nuclear ambitions and potential military action.
The announcement comes as the United States has reimposed sanctions on Iran, which the Iranians claim gave them the grounds to halt their commitments under the deal. The reimposition of sanctions last year by the US has led to a significant increase in tensions between the two countries.
Experts say that if the US targets Iran's uranium enrichment operations, it is likely to take aim at the Natanz site, which was the target of a highly classified cyberattack code-named Olympic Games in 2010. The breach neutralized Iran's centrifuges and destroyed about 1,000 of the 5,000 machines then in operation.
However, Iran appears to be far better prepared this time around, with other major nuclear sites, including the primary production facility for converting raw uranium to a gas form, and factories that produce next-generation centrifuges, also likely targets, according to former officials.
