Long, fraught timeline of tensions between Iran and the US
Iran and the United States held a fifth round of talks in Rome on Friday over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.
The negotiations represent a milestone in the fraught relations between the two nations over Iran's program, which is enriching uranium close to weapons-grade levels. Officials are now focused on the details that could make or break any accord.
Here's a timeline of the tensions between the two countries over Iran's atomic program.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Early days
1967 — Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under America's 'Atoms for Peace' program.
1979 — Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fatally ill, flees Iran as popular protests against him surge. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the United States Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Iran's nuclear program goes fallow under international pressure.
August 2002 — Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Iran's secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility.
June 2003 — Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations.
October 2003 — Iran suspends uranium enrichment.
February 2006 — Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations.
June 2009 — Iran's disputed presidential election sees Ahmadinejad re-elected despite fraud allegations, sparking Green Movement protests and violent government crackdown.
October 2009 — Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. and Iran open a secret backchannel for messages in the sultanate of Oman.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
July 2012 — U.S. and Iranian officials hold face-to-face secret talks in Oman.
July 14, 2015 — World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limits Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
The nuclear deal collapses
May 2018 — Trump unilaterally withdraws the U.S. from the nuclear agreement, calling it the 'worst deal ever.' He says he'll get better terms in new negotiations to stop Iran's missile development and support for regional militias. Those talks don't happen in his first term.
May 8, 2019 — Iran announces it will begin backing away from the accord. A series of regional attacks on land and at sea blamed on Tehran follow.
Jan. 3, 2020 — A U.S. drone strike in Baghdad kills Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the architect of Tehran's proxy wars in the Middle East.
Jan. 8, 2020 — In retaliation for Soleimani's killing, Iran launches a barrage of missiles at military bases in Iraq that are home to thousands of American and Iraqi troops. More than 100 U.S. service members suffer traumatic brain injuries. As Iran braces for a counterattack, the Revolutionary Guard shoots down a Ukrainian passenger plane shortly after takeoff from Tehran's international airport, reportedly mistaking it for a U.S. cruise missile. All 176 people on board are killed.
July 2020 — A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on archenemy Israel.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
April 6, 2021 — Iran and the U.S. under President Joe Biden begin indirect negotiations in Vienna over how to restore the nuclear deal. Those talks, and others between Tehran and European nations, fail to reach any agreement.
April 11, 2021 — A second attack within a year targets Iran's Natanz nuclear site, again likely carried out by Israel.
April 16, 2021 — Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60% — its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.
Feb. 24, 2022 – Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow ultimately will come to rely on Iranian bomb-carrying drones in the conflict, as well as missiles.
July 17, 2022 — An adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Kamal Kharrazi, says that Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb, but has not decided whether to build one. His remarks will be repeated by others in the coming years as tensions grow.
Mideast wars rage
Oct. 7, 2023 — Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. This begins the most intense war ever between Israel and Hamas. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants. Regional tensions spike.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Nov. 19, 2023 — Yemen's Houthi rebels, long supported by Iran, seize the ship Galaxy Leader, beginning a monthslong campaign of attacks on shipping through the Red Sea corridor that the U.S. Navy describes as the most intense combat it has seen since World War II. The attacks mirror tactics earlier used by Iran.
April 14, 2024 — Iran launches an unprecedented direct attack on Israel, firing over 300 missiles and attack drones. Israel, working with a U.S.-led international coalition, intercepts much of the incoming fire.
April 19, 2024 — A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defense system by an airport in Isfahan, Iran.
July 31, 2024 – Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, is assassinated apparently by Israel during a visit to Tehran after the inauguration of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Sept. 27, 2024 — Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Oct. 1, 2024 — Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a U.S.-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles.
Oct. 16, 2024 — Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.
Oct. 26, 2024 — Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defense systems and sites associated with its missile program.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Trump returns — and reaches out
Jan. 20, 2025 — Trump is inaugurated for his second term as president.
Feb. 7, 2025 – Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says proposed talks with the U.S. are 'not intelligent, wise or honorable.'
March 7, 2025 – Trump says he sent a letter to Khamenei seeking a new nuclear deal with Tehran.
March 15, 2025 — Trump launches intense airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, the last members of Iran's self-described 'Axis of Resistance' capable of daily attacks.
April 7, 2025 — Trump announces the U.S. and Iran will hold direct talks in Oman. Iran says they'll be indirect talks, but confirms the meeting.
April 12, 2025 — First round of talks between Iran and the U.S. take place in Oman, ending with a promise to hold more talks after U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi 'briefly spoke' together.
April 19, 2025 — Second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran are held in Rome.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
April 26, 2025 — Iran and the U.S. meet in Oman a third time, but the negotiations include talks at the expert level for the first time.
May 11, 2025 — Iran and the U.S. meet in Oman for a fourth round of negotiations ahead of Trump's trip to the Mideast.
May 23, 2025 — Iran and the U.S. meet in Rome for a fifth round of talks, with Oman saying the negotiations made 'some but not conclusive progress.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
What to know about Karol Nawrocki, Poland's newly elected conservative president
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The final result of Poland's presidential election only became clear after a long, nail-gripping night of counting as both candidates were locked in a near dead heat in the first exit polls after voting ended. Poles awakened Monday to a clear albeit close result that returns a nationalist politician to the presidency who has pledged to hinder the centrist, pro-EU government for the remainder of its term. Here's what to know about Karol Nawrocki, Poland's newly elected conservative president: Trump backed him Nawrocki is a 42-year-old historian who had no political experience prior to the campaign and who was not even a party member until he was tapped by the conservative Law and Justice party that governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. Nawrocki heads the Institute of National Remembrance, which embraces nationalist historical narratives. He led efforts to topple monuments to the Soviet Red Army in Poland. Russia responded by putting him on a wanted list, according to Polish media reports. Nawrocki's supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Many of them oppose abortion and LGBTQ+ visibility and say Nawrocki reflects the traditional values they grew up with. He was also the preferred favorite of U.S. President Donald Trump, with the American conservative group CPAC holding its first meeting in Poland last week during the campaign to give him a boost. Kristi Noem, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and a prominent Trump ally, strongly praised him and urged Poles to vote for him. His campaign echoed themes popular on the American right. A common refrain from his supporters is that Nawrocki will restore 'normality,' as they believe Trump has done. U.S. flags appeared at his rallies. Nawrocki performed better in the first round than expected, an indication he was underestimated in the polling. Nawrocki was linked to scandals Nawrocki's quick political rise has not been without controversy, with reports linking him to underworld figures whom he met while boxing or working as a hotel security guard in the past. Nawrocki has also been linked to a scandal involving the acquisition of a Gdansk apartment from an elderly pensioner named Jerzy. Allegations suggest Nawrocki promised to care for Jerzy in return but failed to fulfill the commitment, leading the man to end up in a publicly funded retirement home. His shifting explanations raised questions about his transparency and credibility. After the scandal erupted he donated the apartment to a charity. It recently emerged that Nawrocki took part in a 2009 Gdansk brawl involving about 140 rival soccer fans, some later convicted of crimes. Nawrocki described the fight as a form of 'noble' combat. Polish media have also reported on his connections to gangsters and the world of prostitution. His critics say all of these things make him unfit to represent Poland as the head of state but many right-wing voters don't believe the allegations and accuse the media of using its power to hurt him, creating what appears to be a rallying effect around him. It's unclear what effect, if any, these scandals had on the outcome of Sunday's result.
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Serbia's protesting students rally across the country to mark 7 months since train station tragedy
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of people on Sunday vowed to keep on fighting for justice and rule of law in Serbia as they demanded that President Aleksandar Vucic call a snap parliamentary election following months of persistent demonstrations that have challenged his firm grip on power in the Balkan country. Protesters led by university students blocked bridges in the capital Belgrade and rallied in 30 other Serbian cities and towns as they also marked exactly seven months since a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in the north, killing 16 people and sparking the massive wave of anti-corruption protests. 'The whole of Serbia has risen,' protesting students said in a speech that was read at all the rallies at the same time. 'There will be no more silence, there will be no more surrender!' Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly Nov. 1 canopy collapse in Novi Sad was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Vucic, whom critics have accused of imposing authoritarian rule in Serbia since coming to power over a decade ago, initially dismissed the possibility of holding early elections but on Friday suggested they could take place, though without saying exactly when. Sunday's protests included commemoration ceremonies for the victims of the Novi Sad crash and student marches and blockades. In Belgrade, crowds halted traffic at two key bridges over the Sava River for three hours, while protesters in Novi Sad carried a white wreath for the canopy collapse victims as they walked toward the crash site. Mina Miletic, from Belgrade, said she is encouraged by so many people fighting together for the same goal: 'The rule of law and life in a decent country.' Vucic has accused the protesters of working for unspecified Western powers to 'destroy Serbia.' Pro-government media on Sunday described the blockades in Belgrade as 'terror' and alleged falsely that 'only a handful' of people joined the rallies. Most media in Serbia are controlled by the ruling populists, often lashing out at government opponents and accusing them of anti-state activities. The student movement is seeking a snap vote, arguing that the current government cannot meet their demands for justice for the crash victims. Presidential and parliamentary elections are otherwise due some time in 2027. No one has been sentenced in connection with the tragedy in Novi Sad and doubts prevail that ongoing legal proceedings will uncover the alleged corruption behind the crash. Serbia is formally seeking European Union entry but the ruling populists have been accused of clamping down on democratic freedoms, including free media. Vucic's authorities have stepped up pressure on protesters, including police detentions, intimidation and physical attacks.
Global News
16 hours ago
- Global News
Canadian diplomat says West Africa terror threat has grown since his capture
A Canadian diplomat who was held captive by al-Qaida terrorists in the Sahara Desert for 130 days says Canada's promised boost to defence should include commitments to combatting the growing Islamic terrorism threat in Africa — a threat he says isn't getting the attention it deserves. Robert Fowler says it would take 'a very large and serious effort to eradicate' the groups that have taken root in West Africa's Sahel region — particularly Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali — and that U.S. military officials say are fighting to gain access to the western coast, which would increase their ability to attack North America. 'There's nothing we can say that will dissuade those people from doing what they're doing — I certainly learned that in the sand,' he told Mercedes Stephenson in an interview that aired Sunday on The West Block. 'They are deeply, absolutely committed and are evidently prepared to die in that commitment. So it would take a very large and serious effort to eradicate them, because they won't be convinced not to do it.' Story continues below advertisement Fowler, the longest-serving Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and an adviser to three former prime ministers, was captured by militants with the al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorist group in December 2008 while serving as a UN special envoy to Niger. He was released along with other Western captives the following April. Since then, the presence of AQIM and other Islamic militant groups in the Sahel region has only grown, carrying out attacks against civilians while claiming wide swaths of territory. Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are currently ruled by military juntas who took power through coups in the last two years, with varying degrees of Islamic influence. 4:52 Why jihadist violence is getting worse in West Africa Around 5,000 civilians have been killed in the violence in those three countries in the first five months of this year, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a 25-per cent increase from the previous five months. Story continues below advertisement The loss of the French and American militaries from the region in recent months has further created a power vacuum, experts like Fowler say. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, told reporters last week that the U.S. military's withdrawal from Niger and an important counterterrorism base there last September means it has 'lost our ability to monitor these terrorist groups closely,' as violent attacks in the Sahel continue to rise in both 'frequency and complexity.' He added that U.S. forces are 'standing with' local militaries in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin to prevent those groups from reaching their coasts. 'If they secure access to the coastline, they can finance their operations through smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trading,' Langley said in a media briefing. 'This puts not just African nations at risk, but also increases the chance of threats reaching the U.S. shores.' Fowler said Canada also faces this risk, particularly the threat of individual acts of violence in the name of groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. 'I think it is fair to say that Islamic terrorism has not been beaten,' he said. 'Whatever success we had in Iraq, and the non-success we had in Afghanistan, hasn't in any way blunted the jihadi movement, and so we're going to have to be extremely vigilant.' Story continues below advertisement He added that western governments aren't prepared to commit the investments and military capabilities necessary to eliminate those threats in Africa. 'Whatever they should be doing, they won't be doing for all kinds of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with Africa,' he said. 'There are other issues and other concerns, and everybody needs money for those different things, and that doesn't leave much for Africa. 'The French had 5,000 top-line soldiers there for years, and they couldn't do it. It would take much more than that. But no, I don't think we have the will to do it.' 2:38 France pulls ambassador, troops out of Niger in wake of military coup Canada's new Africa Strategy, released in March, commits over $30 million to 'peace and security' projects in the Sahel and other conflict-affected regions like Sudan, but are focused primarily on humanitarian aid and civilian supports. Story continues below advertisement The Canadian Forces ended its peacekeeping mission in Mali in 2023 and has otherwise drastically reduced its presence on the continent. Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to bolstering border security, building on promises under the previous Liberal government to enhance screening of entry points and crack down on illegal crossings and smuggling. Fowler said the African threat should further inspire the Canadian government to spend 'a whole lot more' on defence, which he said has been 'pitiful' for years. Carney has vowed to get Canada's defence spending to NATO's target level of two per cent of GDP by 2030, and the Liberal platform promised $30 million in new spending over the next four years. The government spent just over 1.3 per cent last year. 'We don't have to think nice things about President Trump, but that doesn't mean he isn't wrong when he criticizes our defence performance,' Fowler said. 'He is right: we have been getting for years a free ride, particularly in continental defence.' While he wouldn't go so far as to recommend Canada sign on to Trump's 'Golden Dome' space-based missile defence concept, Fowler said it's 'illogical' that Canada is not part of the current U.S. ballistic missile defence initiative and similar programs. 'We very much have to convince the Americans that we are doing our bit, that we are sovereign and are committed to remaining so, because I think Canadians deserve that kind of defence of their territory,' he said. Story continues below advertisement Asked what advice he'd give Carney, Fowler said simply: 'Sign on.'
