Iran-North Korea Nuclear Timeline (Update)

Iran & North Korea Economic Sanctions Timeline

Dear Policymaker/ Iran and North Korea Observer:

Since the announcement that China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (known under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the E3/EU+3) had reach an agreement with the Iranian regime over its nuclear activities, expert comparisons have been made between this approach to Iran and the Six-Party Agreement on North Korea. These parallels are not unfounded.

On October 18, 1994 when President Bill Clinton announced the agreement with North Korea, he argued it represented the first step on the road to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and that the agreement would make the United States, the Korean Peninsula, and the world safer. President Clinton emphasized that the agreement did not rely on trust. Compliance will be certified by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Similarly on Iran, President Barack Obama said on July 14, 2015: the comprehensive long-term deal would prevent [Iran] from obtaining a nuclear weapon. It

marks a change that makes our country and the world safer and more secure, he added. This deal is not built on trust. It is built on verification. Two years ago, it appeared the Obama Administration was focused on avoiding mistakes made by its predecessors. In February 2013, Secretary of State Kerry

underscored the need for a swift, clear, strong and credible response" to Pyongyang's third nuclear test and the authoritarian regime's "continued flaunting of its obligations or risk emboldening Iran. He added: "Just as it's impermissible for North Korea to pursue this kind of reckless effort, so we have said it's impermissible with respect to Iran. What our response is with respect to this will have an impact on all other nonproliferation efforts." It would appear the response to North Korean aggression was prologue to the JCPOA with Iran.

To provide context for, and to assist policymakers in their oversight responsibilities and in developing a response to, the multiparty agreement with Iran that avoids

repeating the mistakes that led to a nuclear North Korea as well as a weakened global nonproliferation structure, the independent analysts at Poblete Analysis Group have developed the following timeline. It summarizes and juxtaposes developments on Iran and North Koreas nuclear paths for quick reference. Also included, is a December 26, 2014 summary document on the U.S. approach to Pyongyang.

We hope you find this useful.

2015 Poblete Analysis Group LLC

www.pobleteanalysisgroup.com

This product is for informational purposes only. It was not petitioned or funded by any third parties.

Alexandria, Virginia

North Korea Iran2015

Technical - NuclearApril 29 - A report from David Albright and Serena Kelleher-Vergantini at Washington's Institute for Science and International Security analyzed satellite imagry taken from January through the beginning of April 2015. The imagry suggests that a centrifuge plant at the Yongbyon nuclear complex is operational, and a plutonium-fueled reactor at the site may be operating again at low power or intermittently. April 22 -In a closed-door meeting with U.S. nuclear specialists, the Wall Street Journal reports that China's top nuclear experts have increased their estimates of North Korea's nuclear arsenal, revising their estimate to 20 warheads, with the capability of producing enough weapons-grade uranium to double that number by 2016.April 16 - Before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Army General Curtis "Mike" Scaparotti, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said he believes that North Korea has the ability to arm a KN-08 ICBM with a miniaturized nuclear device.

April 14 - A Wall Street Journal editorial notes that Behrouz Kamalvandi, deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said, "we have inked an agreement with the Russians to construct two new nuclear power plants for the generation of electricity, while the Chinese will also enter this arena soon," in remarks published in Iranian state media.

April 13 - South Korean Vice Defense Minister Baek Seung-joo dismissed U.S. Admiral Bill Gortney's assessment of North Korea's ability to mount a nuclear warhead on a KN-08 ICBM, saying that Adm. Gortney's remarks were "not made with a thorough assessment of North Korea's capabilities."April 8 - The head of NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command, Admiral Bill Gortney, told reporters that "our assessment is that they [North Korean leadership] have the ability to put a nuclear weapon on a KN-08 and shoot it at the homeland."March 20 - In an interview with Sky News, North Korea's ambassador to the UK, Hyuan Hak-bong, when asked "So can I just be clear: you are telling me that the North Korea [sic] has the ability now to fire a nuclear missile?", Ambassador Hyun responded: "Any time, any time, yes."March 19 - The commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, Admiral Cecil Haney, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in a hearing that "we think [North Korea] already miniaturized some of this capability," referring to the DPRK's nuclear weapons program.March 18 - Citing growing missile threats from North Korea and Iran, U.S. Missile Defense Agency Director Navy Vice Admiral James Syring said that the U.S. was carrying out increasingly realistic tests of missile defenses and improving cyber security. Vice Admiral Syring also stated that North Korea has fielded hundreds of missiles capable of reaching U.S. forces based in South Korea and Japan, according to Reuters.

March 18 - Bloomberg News reports that U.S. officials claim Iran did not technically violate the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) in feeding UF6 into an IR-5 centrifuge because some research and development related to centrifuges is permitted (see Nov. 8, 2014 entry under Technical-Nuclear). Additionally, the U.S. officials claim that the person who fed the UF6 into the centrifuge was likely a low- or mid-level employee who was not acting on orders from above.

February 25 - Joel Wit of the 38 North blog says that Pyongyang is currently believed to have 10 to 16 nuclear weapons, has achieved miniaturization for the plutonium-based weapons, and projects to have as many as 100 nuclear weapons by 2020.

February 11 - The Institute for Science and International Security analyzes activity at Parchin, where Iran is alleged to have conducted work related to nuclear weapons development. Satellite imagery from October showed construction material and debris visible at the site. Imagery from January 2015 show the absence of these materials, while showing gravel or recycled asphalt consistent with resurfacing prior to laying new asphalt.

January 28 - Satellite images suggest North Korea may be about to restart the nuclear reactor seen as its main source of weapons grade plutonium, according to the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University. January 7 - A 2014 South Korean Defense White Paper claims that North Korea has "reached a significant level of technology to miniaturize nuclear weapons."

Technical - MissileApril 15 - The Washington Free Beacon reports that, since September 2014, more than two shipments of missile parts have been monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies as they transited from North Korea to Iran. Unnamed sources said the transfers included goods covered by the Missile Technology Control Regime, including large diameter engines that could be used for a future Iranian long-range missile system.

April 15 - The Washington Free Beacon reports that, since September 2014, more than two shipments of missile parts have been monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies as they transited from North Korea to Iran. Unnamed sources said the transfers included goods covered by the Missile Technology Control Regime, including large diameter engines that could be used for a future Iranian long-range missile system.April 13 - Russia announces that it has lifted its ban on the sale of the sophisticated S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to Iran. Iranian state media reports that the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council stated that his country will receive delivery of the air-defense system by the end of the year.

April 11 - Speaking with reporters in Seoul, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter condemns recent North Korean missile launches, saying the launches "puts the security of the Korean peninsula and the entire region in danger."April 8 - North Korea fired two surface-to-air missiles off its west coast before U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter was to visit Seoul.April 7 - The head of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, Admiral Bill Gortney, confirmed to reporters that the road-mobile KN-08 ICBM, first paraded in North Korea in 2012, is operational.April 4 - North Korea test-fired 4 short-range missiles into the West (Yellow) Sea to protest the ongonig Seoul-Washington military exercises, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.March 25 - At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, the Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, Admiral Cecil D. Haney, confirmed that North Korea is in the process of developing a submarine-launched ballistic missile.March 18 - The Director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency testifies in a Senate hearing that both Iran and North Korea could achieve the ability to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile as early as this year.

March 18 - The Director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency testifies in a Senate hearing that both Iran and North Korea could achieve the ability to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile as early as this year.

March 13 - North Korea fires seven surface-to-air missiles off its east coast, including the first test of a SA-5 system, again in response to the ongoing U.S.-South Korea military drills.

March 8 - Iranian officials unveil the Soumar cruise missile. March 5- IHS Janes 360 reports the IRGC's naval wing implied it is working on a missile that can be launched from a submarine.

March 2 - South Korea's Defense Ministry reports that North Korea fired two short-range missiles off its eastern coast hours before the annual U.S.-South Korean military exercises were scheduled to begin. North Korea fired the missiles without designating any no-sail zones, which the Defense Ministry took as a provocation.

February 27 - Iran test fires a new "strategic weapon", which the IRGC's naval chief says would be critical in a war with the U.S. February 25 - Iran's Navy destroys a model U.S. aircraft carrier in a simulation exercise.

February 8 - North Korea fires five short-range missiles off its eastern coast, flying about 125 miles northeast before crashing into the sea. February 7 - North Korea's Rodong Sinmun publishes an article describing Kim Jong-un's recent trip to inspect the Korean People's Navy East Sea Fleet, during which he observed the test of a new anti-ship missile.

February 2 - Al-Alam, an Arabic news channel owned by Iran's state-owned media corporation, announces that Iran launched its first satellite since 2012. Western countries are concerned this technology could be applied to long-range ballistic missiles.

United NationsApril 30 - At an event highlighting human rights conditions in North Korea featuring several North Korean defectors, North Korean diplomats interrupted by insisting to read a statement in protest of the event amid shouts from the defectors.

April 15 - Iran and the IAEA hold talks in Tehran. The IAEA issues a statement saying that the two sides "had a constructive exchange on the two practice measures under discussion," referencing the outstanding issues related to the nature of neutron calculations and alleged experiments on explosives that could be used to develop an atomic device, both of which have possible military dimensions (PMD). The IAEA's statement does not mention any major developments in its negotiations with Iran, despite having said in March that it expected progress with Iran in April on the outstanding issues.

April 9 - North Korea accused Mexico of illegally holding a cargo ship, the Mu Du Bong, after it ran aground off the coast of Mexico in July. The Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN said that the owner of the ship, North Korea's Ocean Maritime Management Company, "has avoided the sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council."

March 24 - The Washington Post reports that IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano stated that progress on IAEA inquiries related to PMD to Iran's nuclear program is "very limited". According to the Washington Post, Amano said that the P5+1 should insist that Iran implement the additional protocol that would allow IAEA inspectors to go anywhere at any time to examine sites suspected of harboring weapons development. Amano stated that the IAEA believes it has identified "the right places to visit" within the Parchin site to investigate allegations of weapons related research, but that access to the site has been blocked by Iran.

March 23 - IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano states that "we are still not in a position to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is [for a] peaceful purpose."March 20 - The IAEA reports that Iran is continuing to meet its commitments under the JPOA. March 9 - Iran and the IAEA hold talks. The IAEA says that Iran has still not addressed the practical measures related to the initiation of high explosives and neutron transport calculations, which both have PMD.March 2 - IAEA chief Yukiya Amano says Iran is being slow to cooperate with the IAEA investigation, noting that Iran has yet to provide explanations to clarify practical measures related to activities that have PMD.

February 25 - A UN panel reports that a North Korean company subject to sanctions is renaming ships to disguise their origins and continue arms shipments, violating sanctions. February 23 - A UN report of the Panel of Experts (PoE), established pursuant to UN Resolution 1874, is released, citing proliferation trends and manners in which North Korea has skirted UN Resolutions. Some of the potential violations include: DPRK officials who were caught travelling back to North Korea via Southeast Asia with suitcases containing $450,000 in cash payment for an arms deal; France obtaining evidence of Reconnaissance General Bureau, one of four DPRK clandestine services, operatives stationed in UNESCO and the World Food Programme working in activities relevant to sanctions; and North Korean scientists' participation in the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research as a potential violation of sanctions.

February 19 - An IAEA report notes that Iran still has not provided information related to two outstanding practical measures with PMD (the initiation of high explosives and neutron transport calculation), nor has Iran proposed new practical measures. Activities at Parchin that undermine verification continue. The IR-5 centrifuge is disconnected and not being fed UF6. Institute for Science and International Security analysis notes that Iran's average daily production of 3.5 percent low enriched uranium (LEU) has decreased significantly, raising the possibility that Iran could be lowering the output of the centrifuges in order to argue to keep more centrifuges. The Institute notes that Iran is moving to institute a scrap recovery capability. Iran agreed under the JPOA extension not to process certain portions of the scrap.February 7 - IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano holds talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif.

DiplomaticApril 28 - Iran's Revolutionary Guard patrol boats fire shots and then intercept a Marshall Islands-flagged commercial cargo ship. The U.S. Navy reveals that a U.S. flagged ship was intercepted by the Revolutionary Guard naval patrol on April 24. April 27 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meet in New York to continue discussions related to the nuclear agreement. It is their first meeting since April 2.

April 10 - A Chinese state-run newspaper, The Global Times, warned that bilateral ties between Beijing and Seoul would be "shattered" if South Korea deployed the advanced U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.April 4 - U.S. State Department says that the nuclear deal with Iran has no bearing on North Korea's nuclear program.

April 2 - Iran, the U.S., and the P5+1 reach a preliminary framework for a deal. Key elements of the agreement include: Iran will reduce by approximately two-thirds its installed centrifuges (from about 19,000 to about 6,100); Iran will not enrich uranium above 3.67 percent for at least 15 years; Iran will reduce its stockpile of low-enriched uranium from 10,000 kg to 300 kg for 15 years; Iran will continue to operate Fordow as a research facility, but will not enrich uranium there; Iran will continue to operate centrifuges at Natanz, but will only use its first generation centrifuges; and the IAEA will have regular access to Iran's nuclear facilities. The agreement allows Iran relief from U.S., EU, and UN sanctions if Iran verifiably abides by the terms of the deal. March 29 - P5+1 negotiations with Iran continue, with top officials involved, such as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the German and French foreign ministers, cancelling their travel plans for the next several days so as to remain available for continued negotiations. March 26 - The Associated Press reports that the U.S. is considering letting Iran run hundreds of centrifuges at the underground Fordo site in exchange for limits on centrifuge work and research and development at other sites.March 26 - Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif meet for negotiations, which continue for the next two days. Iranian President Rouhani speaks with the leaders of France, Britain, China, and Russia. A U.S. spokesperson acknowledges that a letter from Rouhani to President Barack Obama was given to the U.S. negotiating team.March 20 - Talks between Iran and the P5+1 recess without an agreement. Negotiations are set to reconvene the following week. France takes the hardest line with Iran, insisting on a longer period of restrictions on Iran's nuclear work and also opposing the idea of suspending some U.N. sanctions relatively quickly if a deal is struck. March 19 - President Obama issues a Nowruz statement saying that this is "an historic opportunity to resolve this [nuclear] issue peacefully."March 19 - The Associated Press reports that the U.S. and Iran are drafting elements of a nuclear deal that commits Iran to a 40 percent cut in the number of centrifuges Iran can operate (down to 6,000 from 10,000 currently operating), and in return, Iran would get quick relief from economic sanctions and a partial lift on the UN arms embargo.

March 17 - A South Korea Ministry of Unification statement accuses the North of a cyberattack on its nuclear power plant operator in December 2014.

March 15-18 - Bilateral talks continue between the U.S. and Iran, with meetings taking place over the course of several days between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif, and between Iran's nuclear chief and U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. Meetings involving other P5+1 powers also take place during this period. Iran's nuclear chief states that there is "agreement on 90 percent of technical issues," while White House spokesman Josh Earnest says, "Reaching an agreement is at best 50-50."March 12 - Reuters reports that the P5+1 have begun talks with Iran regarding a UN Security Council resolution to lift UN sanctions on Iran if a nuclear agreement is reached.

March 11 - The Washington Times cites a U.S. government source saying that there are signs the Obama Administration is quietly working to open secret talks with Pyongyang to eventually normalize relations in a similar manner to the secret negotiations that led to the December 2014 announcement which began normalizing relations with Cuba.March 6 - A South Korean man who had previously made seven visits to the North between 1999 and 2007 was detained after slashing U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert with a knife in the face while shouting "the South Korea-U.S. military drills must stop" at an event in Seoul. North Korea called the stabbing a "knife attack of justice" and that it reflected "anti-U.S. sentiment" in South Korea.

March 5 - Iran and the P5+1 continue negotiations.March 4 - Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif conclude three days of talks.

February 27 - KCNA releases a statement saying "nuclear weapons are not a monopoly of the U.S. The U.S. is seriously mistaken if it thinks its mainland is safe" in protest of the upcoming military drills between the U.S. and South Korean forces.

February 22 - Bilateral meetings take place between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif. For the first time, the meetings include talks between Iran's nuclear chief and U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. The bilateral meetings are followed by Iran and P5+1 talks.

January 23 - President Obama says in an interview posted on YouTube that he believes that the North Korean regime will ultimately collapse.

January 18 - Iran and the P5+1 hold talks in Geneva. January 14 - Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif hold talks in Geneva. They meet again two days later in Paris.

January 13 - North Korea offers to hold talks with the U.S. on its proposal to suspend nuclear tests, in exchange for a freeze on U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. The U.S. rejects the offer.

April 28 - Iran's Revolutionary Guard patrol boats fire shots and then intercept a Marshall Islands-flagged commercial cargo ship. The U.S. Navy reveals that a U.S. flagged ship was intercepted by the Revolutionary Guard naval patrol on April 24. April 27 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meet in New York to continue discussions related to the nuclear agreement. It is their first meeting since April 2.












April 28 - Iran's Revolutionary Guard patrol boats fire shots and then intercept a Marshall Islands-flagged commercial cargo ship. The U.S. Navy reveals that a U.S. flagged ship was intercepted by the Revolutionary Guard naval patrol on April 24. April 27 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meet in New York to continue discussions related to the nuclear agreement. It is their first meeting since April 2.













Technical - NuclearDecember 10 - The 38 North blog reports that recent activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site are for maintenance purposes and that a nuclear test is "unlikely" in the next two to three months.

December 8 - The Institute for Science and International Security notes that only a portion of the low enriched uranium (LEU) oxide that Iran pledged to convert into fuel assemblies has been converted. The rest is in scrap, in-process material, and waste, and could be recovered for breakout.November 11 - Russia signs a contract to build two nuclear reactors in Iran, with the possibility of six more to follow. Russia will supply uranium fuel and then take it back for reprocessing. November 10 - A U.S. government official states that the U.S. raised the issue of Iran feeding uranium gas into the IR-5 centrifuge (see Nov. 8), and Iran said it would cease to do so.November 9 - Former IAEA deputy chief Olli Heinonen says Iran could have up to 5,000 IR-2m centrifuges rather than the 1,008 it claimed. The IR-2m centrifuges are up to five times more effective in enriching uranium than the IR-1 type.November 8 - The Institute for Science and International Security highlights an IAEA report that Iran fed uranium gas (UF6) into an IR-5 centrifuge, which had not been done before. This could be considered a violation of the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA).October 6 - A fire and explosion at a military explosives facility near Parchin kills two people.

September 4 - The IAEA says it has seen release of steam and water at a North Korean site that is consistent with efforts to restart a reactor.

September 3 - The Institute for Science and International Security publishes satellite images showing new construction materials or debris and new dirt or water runoff at Parchin, where activities related to nuclear weapons development are alleged to have occurred. Previously visible dirt or water runoff and possible construction material are not visible anymore.August 30 - The British Broadcasting Corporation reports that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, speaking on Iranian TV, said, "Of course we bypass sanctions. We are proud that we bypass sanctions because the sanctions are illegal." August 29 - The State Department announces sanctions against four Iranian entities providing support to illicit nuclear activities, including one that sought to acquire 100,000 specialized magnets used in centrifuge machines, enough for 50,000 centrifuges. August 27 - Iran announces a new centrifuge, the IR-8, which it claims is 16 times more powerful than the IR-1. Iran claims it is modifying the Arak reactor due to Western concerns.

July 7 - KCNA announces the death of senior official Jon Pyong Ho, who was integral in developing North Korea's nuclear capacity. Jon's death marked a shift to a new generation of North Korean scientists who will play a central role in determining the success of North Korea's nuclear program.

May 8 - The Institute for Science and International Security publishes satellite images showing movement of possible building material or debris at the Parchin. Two trucks or containers have been removed, while a new large object is present. Dirt or water runoff is visible.

April 22 - The South Korean Defence Ministry reports "various types of activities" at Punggye-ri in the days leading up to President Obama's visit to South Korea but that "some of the necessary preparations simply aren't visible yet."

April 15 - Lee Specialties Ltd. (Canada) pleads guilty to unlawful export to Iran of Viton-O rings, which can withstand high temperatures and corrosive chemicals such as uranium hexafluoride, and therefore be used in gas centrifuge facilities.April 8 - Secretary of State John Kerry testifies in a Senate hearing that Iran could produce fissile material for an atomic weapon in two months. April 4 - A U.S. court unseals charges against a Chinese citizen for operating as a middleman seeking American pressure transducers on behalf of Iran's nuclear program. February 25 - The Institute for Science and International Security publishes satellite imagery showing possible building material and debris at Parchin.

February 10 - South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin tells the South Korean National Assembly that Pyongyang has prepared for an underground nuclear test at Punggye-ri but that there are no signs of an imminent test.January 29 - In a statement to a Senate Committee, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper notes that the U.S. believes North Korea has expanded its Yongbyon enrichment facility and restarted its plutonium reactor.

January 29 - In a statement to a Senate Committee, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper notes that Iran installed more centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant, developed advanced centrifuge designs, and stockpiled low-enriched uranium hexafluoride, all better positioning Iran to produce weapons-grade uranium, but that Iran could not do so before being discovered. Iran continues to work on the Arak Reactor.

Technical - MissileNovember 3 - Joseph Bermudez of AllSource Analysis writes on the 38 North blog that "it is likely to take years" to bring a submarine-launched ballistic missile to operational capacity.October 1 - A 38 North blog report cites recent satellite imagery indicating that the Sohae Satellite Launching Station had been upgraded, enabling it to launch rockets larger than the existing Unha-3 space launch vehicle in the future.September 14 - South Korean news service Yonhap reports that South Korea's military has detected signs of North Korea's development of a submarine-based ballistic missile launch system.

September 8 - IHS Janes 360 reports that a Defense Department report states that Irans Khalij Fars anti-ship ballistic missile is being delivered to operational units.September 2 - Iran unveils the Talash-3 surface-to-air missile and two radar systems. Iran claims the missile has been test-fired.August 24 - Iran unveils Ghadir short-range marine missiles.

June 16 - The Chosun Ilbo reports a new North Korean propaganda video shows a new cruise missile, likely of Russian origin.

June 5 - A UN Panel of Experts report reviewing allegations of sanctions violations states that Iran is continuing its ballistic missile program and is reported to have conducted several test launches in the past year. A launch complex for ballistic missiles and satellite launch vehicles is assessed to be near completion at the Imam Khomeini Space Centre. Iran is reportedly seeking metals and components for guidance systems and fuel.May 13 - IHS Janes 360 reports the IRGC has unveiled variants of the Fateh-110 tactical ballistic missile: the Hormuz-1 (anti-radiation variant) and Hormuz-2 (which Iran claims is an anti-ship missile). The IRGC also displayed the Ya Ali cruise missile and a new submunitions warhead. March 5 - The IRGC holds a ceremony to mark delivery of four types of missiles, claiming two have multiple warheads.February 11- Director of National Intelligence James Clapper states during a Senate hearing that he does not believe Iran is currently receiving assistance with its intercontinental ballistic missile program (though he notes its history with North Korea). In testimony for the record, Lt. General Michael Flynn, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, states that Iran is developing an anti-ship ballistic missile and that Iran's Simorgh space launch vehicle shows intent to develop intercontinental ballistic missile technology.February 10 - Iran test-fires two missiles, including one long range ballistic missile with radar-evading capabilities which Iran claims can carry multiple re-entry vehicle (MRV) payloads. Some experts doubt Iran has the technology for MRV payloads. January 29 - In a statement to a Senate Committee, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper notes that Iran's progress on space launch vehicles enables Iran to develop longer range missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.

United NationsDecember 22 - The Security Council holds a briefing focusing on a UN inquiry that found widespread and systematic human rights abuses. While several Security Council members support referring North Korea to the ICC for possible prosecution, any such referral is highly unlikely given China's veto power.

December 19 - The IAEA reports Iran is implementing the JPOA.December 8 - ForeignPolicy.com reports that the U.S. informed a UN Panel monitoring sanctions that Iran has been increasing efforts to illicitly obtain equipment for the Arak reactor. November 20 - IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano states that Iran has not provided explanations to clarify the practical measures related to the initiation of high explosives and neutron transport calculations, which both have possible military dimensions (PMD), nor has Iran proposed new practical measures.

November 18 - The UN General Assembly votes 111 to 19, with 55 members abstaining, to pass a resolution condemning North Korea for human rights abuses and recommending the prosecution of its leaders for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.

November 7 - An IAEA report notes that Iran has not provided information on the practical measures related to initiation of high explosives or neutron transport calculations (which both have PMD), nor has Iran suggested new practical measures. Iran is feeding UF6 into the IR-5 centrifuge (see Nov. 8 entry in Technical-Nuclear). The IAEA staff member previously denied a visa to Iran was denied a visa for the fourth time. Activities at Parchin have undermined JPOA verification.November 2 - Iran and the IAEA discuss the practical measures related to initiation of high explosives and neutron transport calculations (both with PMD).October 16 - The IAEA completes an inspection at the Arak reactor. Iran has not installed major new components.October 7-8 - Iran and the IAEA discuss the practical measures related to initiation of high explosives and neutron transport calculations (both with PMD).September 5 - An IAEA report states that an IAEA team member was denied a visa to Iran three different times. Modifications continue at Parchin. Iran missed a deadline to implement four of the five practical measures agreed to in May (of the four, two were completed after the deadline and two have yet to be completed). The IAEA cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities. The Institute for Science and International Security notes that Iran's stock of near 20 percent LEU hexafluoride is approaching zero, but the LEU is retained in other forms and could produce enough uranium for a weapon if reconverted to hexafluoride.

September 4 - The IAEA reports signs that North Korea may be operating a reactor. September 4 - The IAEA reiterates its invitation to Iran to propose new practical measures in reply to Iran's proposal that a road map be developed before new measures are identified. August 31 - Iran and the IAEA discuss implementing the practical measures related to initiation of high explosives and neutron transport calculations, which both have PMD.August 28 - Iran tells the IAEA that "most of the issues" with PMD are "mere allegations and do not merit consideration."August 23 - Iran states that it will not give inspectors access to Parchin. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano previously stated that access to Parchin was essential for the IAEA to certify Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. August 17 - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tells IAEA chief Yukiya Amano that Iran will not discuss its long range missile program. Amano notes in a press conference that Iran provided information on the Exploding Bridge Wire detonators.July 20 - An IAEA report on implementation of the JPOA states that Iran is complying with the deal.June 27 - A UN Panel determines that a seized shipment of weapons originated in Iran, violating the UN arms embargo. June 5 - A UN Panel of Experts report reviewing sanctions violations states that the Panel investigated 30 alleged violations involving dual-use items believed to be headed to Iran.

June 2 - IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano states that he remains "seriously concerned" about North Korea's nuclear program.

June 2 - IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano states that the IAEA is unable to provide assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and is unable to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities. May 23 - The IAEA reports that it continues to seek answers to questions about Parchin, and to request access to a particular location at Parchin. Since the IAEA's request for access, construction activities appear to have taken place at Parchin that will undermine the IAEA's ability to conduct effective verification. Iran has provided information regarding Exploding Bridge Wire detonators, but the IAEA must analyze the information in a "system assessment" of all issues with PMD. Iran declared a new facility, the Fars Research Reactor, a 10 MW light water reactor fueled by LEU. The Institute for Science and International Security notes that Iran's stock of near 20 percent LEU hexafluoride is approaching zero, but the LEU is retained in other forms and could produce enough uranium for a nuclear weapon if reconverted to hexafluoride. May 20 - Iran and the IAEA meet about the practical measures outlined in February, agreeing on five more measures for Iran to complete, including providing the IAEA with information about Iran's work on the initiation of high explosives and Iran's work on neutron transport, which both have PMD.May 15 - The UN Panel of Experts reports Iran is continuing its ballistic missile and space program. A new missile launch site was identified in August 2013, and a launch complex near the Imam Khomeini Space Centre for ballistic missiles and satellite launch vehicles is near completion.May 12 - Iran and the IAEA meet to discuss the practical measures due by May 15. Iran says it has complied, while the IAEA says more must be done, including receiving more information from Iran on Exploding Bridge Wire detonators. May 10 - The IAEA conducts an inspection at the Enriched Uranium Oxide Powder Plant, confirming the facility has been commissioned using natural uranium. The plant can convert 3.5 percent LEU hexafluoride into oxide form. April 30 - Iran provides more information about the Exploding Bridge Wire detonators.April 26 - Iran and the IAEA meet in Tehran. The IAEA states it must conduct a "system assessment" of all issues with PMD. Iran provides information about the Exploding Bridge Wire detonators.

March 30 - KCNA responds to a UN Security Council condemnation of North Korea's missile launches by warning of "next-stage steps which the enemy can hardly imagine," including "a new form of nuclear test for bolstering up its nuclear deterrence."March 17 - Michael Kirby, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK, releases a statement saying that the Commission had "found systematic, widespread and grave human rights violations occurring in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It has also found a disturbing array of crimes against humanity."

March 3 - IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano reiterates that the IAEA cannot provide assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material in Iran, and is unable to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is used for peaceful activities. He notes the need to clarify issues with PMD.February 20 - The IAEA reports Iran is implementing the JPOA and Framework for Cooperation. The IAEA remains concerned about activities with PMD, including new activity at Parchin. Iran is not implementing the "Additional Protocol" and the IAEA is unable to provide assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material in Iran until the protocol is implemented. February 18 - IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif.February 14 - IAEA requests an updated schedule for the commissioning of the Enriched Uranium Oxide Powder Plant. February 10 - The IAEA inspects Iran's Enriched Uranium Oxide Powder Plant, which has not yet begun operating. February 9 - Iran and the IAEA agree on seven practical measures for Iran to implement by May 15, including providing information on Iran's need for Exploding Bridge Wire detonators (which have PMD). February 8 - Iran informs the IAEA that it intends to construct a 10 MW light water pool reactor.January 20 - The IAEA reports Iran is implementing the JPOA. January 18 - Iran tells the IAEA that it is selecting sites for five new uranium enrichment facilities. January 17 - The IAEA outlines its role in monitoring the JPOA.

DiplomaticNovember 24 - Sony Pictures Entertainment is the victim of a cyber attack with confidential information about private employees released publically. North Korean state-sponsored hackers are suspected of perpetrating the attack in retaliation for the release of The Interview, a comedy film about an assassination attempt against Kim Jong-un.

November 24 - Talks between the P5 +1 and Iran conclude without a deal. The JPOA is extended until June 30, including sanctions relief giving Iran $700 million a month in frozen assets.

November 18 - Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 resume. Iran's Foreign Minister states Iran will resist "excessive demands". Nov. 9-10 - Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif, and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton meet in Oman.

November 8 - U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper travels to Pyongyang on a secret mission to secure the release of two American hostages, Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae.

October 15 - Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif, and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton meet, followed by Iran and P5+1 negotiations.

October 22 - North Korea says that Kim Jong-un personally ordered the release of American Jeffrey Fowle after considering requests from President Obama.October 4 - A top North Korean military delegation makes an unannounced trip to Incheonto to attend the closing ceremonies of the 17th Asian Games.

September 18 - Talks between Iran and the P5+1 continue.July 19 - Iran and the P5+1 fail to meet the negotiating deadline. The JPOA is extended until November. Iran is given access to an additional $2.8 billion in frozen assets. July 3 - Iran and the P5+1 begin two weeks of negotiations leading up to the July 20 deadline. June 16-20 - Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 continue. Iran tells the P5+1 it will not accept their "excessive demands".May 14-16 - Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 continue. Reuters reports the U.S. delegation wanted to discuss Iran's missile program and PMD of past nuclear work. Iran's Foreign Minister laughed and ignored the remark.

May 2 - KCNA publishes a series of essays by North Korean citizens with racist and bigoted remarks toward President Obama.

April 8-9 - Negotiations continue between Iran and the P5+1.March 24 - President Park Geun-Hye of South Korea at the Third Nuclear Security Summit says that, according to an IAEA report, a fire at the Yongbyon facility in a single building could lead to a disaster worse than Chernobyl.March 20 - Japan and North Korea agree to hold formal talks for the first time in over a year.

March 18-20 - Negotiations continue between Iran and the P5+1.February 18-20 - Iran and the P5+1 set a negotiating framework.January 20 - Implementation of the JPOA begins.January 12 - Iran and the P5+1 announce the JPOA will be implemented January 20. January 10 - Iran and the P5+1 discuss JPOA implementation.


Technical - NuclearNovember 18: An Iranian opposition group claimed that Iran has developed a secret new nuclear site inside an 1,800-foot tunnel complex beneath mountains six miles from the town of Mobarekeh, within the Haft-e Tir military industrial complex.

November 15: South Korean Vice Defense Minister Baek Seung-joo says that the southern tunnel at the Punggye-ri site can be used for another test at any time, but there are no imminent signs for such action. Also estimates that North Korea will have 6 kg of weapons-grade plutonium by end of 2014.November 13: Former national security council member Victor Cha warns of a potential 4th North Korean nuclear test late in 2013 to force negotiations, based on previous behavior.

November 13: Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, said he hopes that the construction of a second Russian-built power plant can begin after March.

November 3: Kyodo News reports that Iranian and North Korean officials agreed in August to continue cooperation in nuclear and missile development.

November 3: Kyodo News reports that Iranian and North Korean officials agreed in August to continue cooperation in nuclear and missile development.

October 24: A SAIS report shows satellite imagry of two new tunnel entrances and continued excavation at the Punggye-ri nuclear site indicating future tests are planned.

October 24: Iran may need only a month to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb, according to a report by the Institute for Science and International Security.

September 23: A report by Joshua Pollack, a Washington-based nuclear proliferation expert, along with Massachusetts Institute of Technology centrifuge expert Scott Kemp, states that North Korean are now scientists capable of building advanced components for uranium based nuclear bombs on their own, cutting need to import centrifuge technology.

September 13: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and reportedly planned to offer to supply missile systems and build a second nuclear power reactor for Iran.

September 12: Rueters reports that satellite imagry shows steam rising from Yongban reactor, suggesting that it is now operational following North Korea's promise to restart reactor in April 2013.

August 28: The IAEA reported that Iran has begun installing more than 1,000 advanced, IR-2m uranium enrichment centrifuges, but has not put any uranium into the centrifuges. The report added that Iran appears to be restraining the growth of its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium by continuing to convert some of it into reactor fuel.August 17: Irans outgoing nuclear chief said Iran has installed 18,000 uranium-enrichment centrifuges.August 16: Irans outgoing Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi was appointed to head the regimes Atomic Energy Organization.August 5: The Wall Street Journal reports that Iran has made significant advances on the construction of a heavy water reactor in Arak and could begin producing weapons-grade plutonium by next summer, according to U.S. and European officials.

July 17: Siegfried Hecker of Los Alamos National Laboratory warns of Iran and North Korea sharing nuclear-weapon test data, saying it could accelerate development of nuclear weapons in both countries.

June 17: ForeignPolicy.com published a confidential report by a UN Security Council sanctions committee which states that Iran continues to evade UN sanctions on its nuclear program by changing its supply routes, erecting new front companies, and shopping the world for lower grade parts that are not explicitly prohibited by the Council, but are still capable of contributing to the assembly of a nuclear power reactor.

May 3: The State Department stated that Iran and North Korea were trying to obtain high-tech materials linked to their nuclear programs, in violation of U.N. sanctions.

May 3: The State Department stated that Iran and North Korea were trying to obtain high-tech materials linked to their nuclear programs, in violation of U.N. sanctions.April 15: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Niger, the worlds fourth-ranked producer of uranium, amid reports that Iran is close to exhausting its domestic raw uranium reserves.April 9: Irans president announces an expansion of the countrys uranium production and claims other atomic energy advances, striking a pugnacious tone in the aftermath of diplomatic talks that ended in an impasse with the big powers on April 6 in Kazakhstan.

April 2: North Korea vows to reopen the Yongban nuclear reactor in defiance of UN resolutions, according to KCNA.March 14: President Obama tells an Israeli television station that his administration believes it would take Iran over a year or so to develop a nuclear weapon.March 1: Reuters reported that Swiss commodities firm Glencore supplied thousands of tons of aluminum via barter to the Iranian Aluminum Company, which provided aluminum to Irans nuclear program.February 26: Satellite images revealed the first publicly available evidence that Iran is developing a second path to a nuclear weapons capability by operating a plant in Arak that could produce plutonium. The images also showed that numerous anti-aircraft missile and artillery sites are defending the plantmore such sites than are deployed by any other known nuclear sites in Iran.February 23: Irans Atomic Energy Organization reports it has found significant new deposits of raw uranium (for total raw uranium reserves of around 4,400 tons) and identified sites for 16 more nuclear power stations.February 13: The Institute for Science and International Security revealed evidence that Iran recently sought to acquire from China tens of thousands of highly specialized magnets used in centrifuge machines, indicating that Iran may be planning to significantly expand its nuclear program and reduce the timeline for the regime to obtain a nuclear weapons capability. It was unclear whether Iran had succeeded in purchasing the magnets.

February 12: North Korea conducts its third underground nuclear test. Explosion yield was approximately several kilotons, according to the office of the DNI. It registered a 5.1 on the Richter scale, higher than both previous tests, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey.January 24: North Korea's National Defense Commission announces it will continue testing nuclear and long-range rocket technologies in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.

Technical - MissileNovember 26: Technicians from the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) have traveled several times to Pyongyang in 2013 to work on a new, 80-ton rocket booster being developed by North Korea, according to a report in the Washington Free Beacon by Bill Gertz. The booster is intended for a new long-range missile that could be fitted with a nuclear warhead.

November 26: Technicians from the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) have traveled several times to Pyongyang in 2013 to work on a new, 80-ton rocket booster being developed by North Korea, according to a report in the Washington Free Beacon by Bill Gertz. The booster is intended for a new long-range missile that could be fitted with a nuclear warhead.November 18: Iran unveiled a missile-equipped drone with a range of 1,200 miles.

November 6: PACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Locklear says that North Korea's KN-08 missile, a road-mobile ICBM, is a serious threat to hit the U.S. with a nuclear warhead.November 5: South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency said in a briefing in front of the National Assembly intelligence committee that North Korea has conducted 5 missile engine tests at the Dongchang-ri site in 2013.November 4: Jeffrey Lewis and John Schilling of SAIS and the 38 North blog say that North Korea's "fake" KN-08 ICBM is improving, indicating greater capabilities, which includes putting Los Angeles, Denver and Seattle in range.October 28: The SAIS 38 North blog shows satellite imagry suggesting that the missile launch site at Sohae is being upgraded in preparation for future tests.

October 25: An Iranian-American dual citizen, Reza Olangian of Los Gatos, California, was charged with conspiracy to acquire Russian-built long-range surface-to-air missiles for the Iranian regime, as well as violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.October 21: The heads of the Russian and Iranian air forces met in Iran to discuss increasing military cooperation, with talks focusing on "electronic listening systems, radar and missiles, including discussion of delivery of Russian-built S-300 ballistic missiles to Iran.September 27: The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced the mass production of the Shahed-129 drone, which the Guards said has a range of 1,000 miles and a 24-hour non-stop flight capability, can carry eight bombs or missiles, and can hit both fixed and moving targets.September 13: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and reportedly planned to offer to supply missile systems and build a second nuclear power reactor for Iran.August 18: Former Iranian defense minister Ahmad Vahidi said that Iran is sixth in the world and first in the Middle East in missile production, stating Iran had attained that level by attaining domestic technology for building solid fuel missiles, as well as designing and manufacturing surface-to-surface long-range missiles.August 8: Janes reports that Iran has developed a second rocket-launching facility that will likely be used to test ballistic missiles.June 9: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran had established a space-monitoring center. The West worries that space-monitoringrelated technology could be used to develop long-range missiles. Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that the regime would share the data that the center acquired with other countries.

May 18-20: North Korea fires 6 guided short range rockets into Sea of Japan over three days.April 16: Irans deputy defense minister stated that the regime had test-fired a new land-to-sea ballistic missile in the Gulf.March 2: The New York Times reported that an Iranian dhow seized off the coast of Yemen was carrying 10 Chinese heat-seeking antiaircraft missiles, likely assembled at a factory of the state-owned China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation, which the U.S. has sanctioned for transferring missile technology to Iran and Pakistan. The vessel reportedly also carried 10 SA-7 shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles, nearly 17,000 blocks of Iranian-made C-4 plastic explosives, 48 Russian PN-14K night vision goggles, and 10 LH80A laser range finders made by the state-run Iran Electronics Industries, also sanctioned by the U.S.

United NationsNovember 20: UN General Assembly's 3rd Committee passes draft resolution expressing "very serious concern at the persistence of continuing reports of systematic, widespread and grave violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights" in North Korea.

November 11: Iran signed an agreement with the IAEA to grant the agency managed access to a uranium mine and a heavy-water plant within three months. An annex to the agreement noted six steps Iran would take by February 11, including providing information about planned new research reactors and sites for future nuclear power plants and clarifying earlier statements about additional uranium enrichment facilities that it has said it intends to construct.June 3: IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano told the IAEA Board of Governors that Irans efforts to pave and asphalt over the Parchin site, where Iranian scientists may have conducted nuclear weaponsrelated experiments, likely will impede any future IAEA investigations into such experiments.May 22: An IAEA report claimed satellite photos reveal that Iran has begun paving and asphalt over a former military site, Parchin, where the regimes scientists may have conducted experiments related to nuclear weapons.April 8: IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano stated that the agency cannot rule out that Iran is actively seeking nuclear weapons technology, citing credible information that Iran continued nuclear weaponsrelated research since 2003.March 4: IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano told the agencys governing board that Iran must finally address concerns that it has sought to design an atomic bomb, calling for swift IAEA access to an Iranian military base where relevant explosives tests allegedly were undertaken.February 22: The IAEA reported that Iran is advancing in its construction of a nuclear plant at Arak that could produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. The report claimed that Iran has almost completed installation of cooling and moderator circuit piping in the plant.February 14: IAEA inspectors returned from talks in Tehran without a deal for reviving an investigation into suspected nuclear weapons developmentrelated activity by the regime and without a date for further talks.

January 22: UN Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 2087 condemning the December 12, 2012 missile launch.

DiplomaticNovember 24: The AP reported that the U.S. and Iran engaged in secret, high-level negotiations for the past year that paved the way for the November 23 interim agreement. The negotiations were kept secret until two months ago even from close U.S. allies like Israel and from the rest of the P5+1. President Obama personally authorized the talks, which took place in Oman.

November 20: Yonhap News reports that China is pushing for an early restart of 6-party talks.November 23: The P5+1 reach an interim, 6-month agreement on Irans nuclear program, subject to further negotiations on implementation. Iran agreed to temporarily stop enriching uranium above the 5-percent level. Much of its stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium will be diluted or converted so that it cannot be readily used for weapons purposes. Iran agreed not to install any new uranium enrichment centrifuges, start up any not presently operating, or build new enrichment facilities. However, the agreement does not require Iran to suspend uranium enrichment entirely, as multiple UN Security Council resolutions mandate. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani trumpeted the agreement as a recognition of Irans self-proclaimed right to enrich uranium. In return for the initial agreement, the United States agreed to provide $6 billion to $7 billion in sanctions relief for Iran, including roughly $4.2 billion in oil revenue that has been frozen in foreign banks.

November 13: Russian President Vladimir Putin pushes for an early resumption of the 6-party talks. November 13: In a joint statement, President Obama and French President Francois Hollande urged Iran to accept a deal offered by the P5+1 regarding the regimes nuclear program.

November 5: Yonhap News reports that North Korea has staged thousands of cyber attacks against South Korea in recent years, causing $846 million in financial losses.November 5: South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in a report to the National Assembly that North Korea is using Russian technology to develop electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons.November 5: Bill Gertz of the Washington Free Beacon reports that the Obama Administration remains adamantly opposed to restarting 6-party talks.November 4: South Korean President Park Geun-hye says that North Korea should not be allowed to capitalize on nuclear disarmament talks to earn more time to move its atomic weapons program foward.November 4: KCNA says that China's top nuclear negotiator Wu Dawei is visiting Pyongyang a week following meetings with U.S. officials in Washington.

October 16: Nuclear negotiations in Geneva between Iran and the P5+1 ended without a breakthrough but on a promising note. White House press secretary Jay Carney said Iran demonstrated a "level of seriousness and substance that we have not seen before." The EUs Catherine Ashton called the negotiations the most "substantive" and "detailed" to date between the West and Iran.September 26: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the rest of the P5+1 foreign ministers met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the highest-level formal talks between the U.S. and Iran in almost 35 years.September 5: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that Irans foreign ministry, headed by Mohammad Javad Zarif, would take over responsibility for nuclear negotiations from the regimes national security council.

July 16: North Korean cargo ship detained in Panama after "undeclared military cargo" was discovered as ship attempted to pass through Panama Canal.June 19: North Korea and China call for resuption of 6-party talks.June 6: North Korea proposes negotiations to reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex. South Korea immediately accepts offer.May 1: American Kenneth Bae sentenced to 15 years hard labor for "committing hostile acts" against North Korea.April 18: North Korea's National Defense Commission outlines conditions for restarting negotiations over nuclear program on KCNA.April 8: North Korea withdrawls all of its workers from the Kaesong Complex.

April 6: The P5+1 and Iran failed to end a deadlock in nuclear negotiations during a new round of talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan. No new talks were scheduled. A senior U.S. official stated that Iran is willing to take very limited steps on its nuclear program while expecting very significant results in return.

April 5: North Korea warns western embassies and recommends them to evacuate after stating it cannot protect diplomatic staff after April 10April 3: North Korea blocks South Korean workers from entering the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

February 27: The P5+1 and Iran ended two days of talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan with an agreement to meet further in March and April regarding a proposal that would limit Irans stockpile of medium-enriched uranium in exchange for some sanctions relief. The P5+1 reportedly dropped their demand that Iran shut down its nuclear enrichment plant at Fordow, instead seeking that Iran suspend enrichment work there and take steps to make it difficult to quickly resume making nuclear fuel. In another concession to Tehran, the P5+1 also reportedly agreed that Iran could keep a small amount of 20 percentenriched uranium.


Technical - NuclearDecember 12: North Korea successfully launches a Unha-3 rocket from the Sohae missile site and puts a "working satellite" in orbit.

November 16: An IAEA report states that Iran has completed work on the underground Fordo plantfor making enriched uranium, and is on the verge of being to triple its output of 20-percent enriched uranium. The same report stated that Iran has unloaded fuel from the Bushehr reactor's core to its spent fuel pond.November 11: IAEA Chief Yukiya Amano says that possible efforts to remove traces of weapons research at the Parchin site are "ongoing." Iran denies the allegations.November 1: Iran confirms that it has finished installing centrifuges at its underground Fordo site.October 25: Intelligience officials say that Iran has almost completed the nuclear enrichment plant located in the underground Fordo site.October 8: A report issued by the Institute for Science and International Security estimates that Iran could build an atomic bomb in as little time as ten months.September 26: The latest UN information indicates that Iran hopes to bring its Arak reactor on line in the third quarter of 2013.September 20: Iran's atomic energy chief Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani states that Iran has provided false information inrder to protect its nuclear program.September 17: Iran's atomic energy chief Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani tells the IAEA that power lines to Iran's Fordow plant were blown up on August 17.September 11: Diplomats say the IAEA has new intelligience that Iran has continued its work determining the destructive power of a nuclear warhead.September 1: The Bushehr nuclear reactor reaches full capacity, according to Iran's deputy nuclear chief.

August 31: An IAEA report indicates that North Korea has made significant progress in the construction fo a light water atomic reactor.

August 30: Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh returns to work after having been side-lined for several years.August 30: An IAEA report stated that Iran has doubled the number of centrifuges at the Fordo site from 1,000 to 2,000 in the period from May to August.August 7: Intelligience obtained by Israel and other Western countries indicates that Iran has made greater progress on developing its nuclear weapons program than previously thought.July 30: Reports from Israeli newspapers indicate that Iran has significantly increased the pace of enrichment of uranium.

July 25 : Japanese news agency Kyodo news reports that Iran and North Korea have agreed to strengthen their collaboration on bilaterial "strategic projects," which could include nuclear and missile work.

July 25 : Japanese news agency Kyodo news reports that Iran and North Korea have agreed to strengthen their collaboration on bilaterial "strategic projects," which could include nuclear and missile work.July 22: Iran sends a new batch of uranium to fuel a medical research reactor in Tehran.June 20: ISIS publishes new satellite imagery which it said showed further activity to clean up nuclear work at the Parchin site.June 20: Experts testifying before the House Armed Services Committee state that Iran has increased its rate of nuclear enrichment despite cyber sabotage from the Stuxnet virus.June 19: Iran's chief nuclear negotiator tells reporters that "We insisted on the fact that the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes to all levels is the right of the Islamic Republic."June 12: Reports from Iranian news indicate that Iran has begun designing a nuclear submarine.

June 9: North Korea says it is not planning a nuclear test "at present."May 31: North Korea's revised constitution declares that it is a "nuclear state."

May 27: Iran's nuclear chief announces that Iran will not stop production of higher grade uranium.May 26: ISIS releases a report stating that Iran has produced enough low-enriched uranium for five nuclear weapons, were the uranium to be further refined.May 25: IAEA inspectors find uranium enriched to 27% at an underground nuclear facility in Iran.

May 17: A website run by Johns Hopkins University and a former State Department Official claims that satellite images show that North Korea has resumed construction work on an experimental light water reactor.

May 14: An image is released of an Iranian facility with an explosives chamber needed for nuclear weapons related testing.March 7: The Associated Press reports that satellite imagery of an Iranian military facility showed trucks at the site, indicating a possible attempt to clean radioactive traces from the site, according to analysis by nuclear experts accredited to the IAEA. Iran later denied that such attempts were taking place.

March 5: Analysis of satellite imagery taken in February shows progress in the construction of the light water reactor at Yongbyon.

February 15: Iran announces that it has activated a new generation of centrifuges at its Natanz site that will speed up its uranium enrichment process.

Technical - MissileDecember 31: Iranian forces fired a purported new generation of surface-to-air missiles during a naval exercise.

November 13: Analysis of satellite imagery by 38 North, a U.S. academic website, shows additional development of long-rage missiles by North Korea.

November 13: Iran says it has successfully tested a new air defense system modeled after the U.S. Hawk system.

September 24: Iran tests medium surface to air missiles and anti-ship missiles, while also unveiling a new drone.September 21: Iran shows off an air defense system during a military parade commemorating the beginning of the Iran-Iraq war.August 21: Iran claims to have upgraded the missile tested on August 4 with a quicker launch capability and longer life. The same day, Iran announces it will be building an air defense site.August 4: Iran claims to have tested an upgraded version of a short range ballistic missile.July 11: A report to Congress by the Pentagon indicates that: Iran has boosted the lethality and effectiveness of existing systems by improving accuracy and developing new submunition payloads."July 2: Iran successfully tests a medium range missile capable of hitting Israel.

April 13: North Korea conducts a test of a long range rocket, attempting to launch the rocket into orbit. The test fails, and the rocket breaks apart before leaving the Earth's atmosphere. Japanese media reports that a 12 member Iranian delegation of engineers from engineers from Iran's Shahid Hemat Industrial Group (SHIG), which is involved in missile and satellite development, secretly visited North Korea to witness the launch.April 10: Satellite imagery shows an increase in the the amount of material adjacent to the site of North Korea's 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests, leading some to believe North Korea could be preparing another nuclear test.March 16: North Korea announces it will launch a long range rocket in mid-April to put a satellite into orbit.

January 1: Iran tests a medium-range missile during war games. On the same day, Iran also tests its first domestically produced nuclear fuel rod.

United NationsSeptember 11: The IAEA approves by a vote of 31-1-3 a resolution criticizing Iran and expressing "serious concern that Iran continues to defy" UN Security Council resolutions to suspend uranium enrichment and notes activities at the Parchin base that the IAEA says will "significantly hamper" inspectors.September 5: The IAEA shows diplomats images of suspected nuclear clean up at an Iranian military site.August 29: The IAEA approves the creation of a special "task force" to better monitor Iran's nuclear program.August 24: Diplomats tell the Associated Press that Iran has shrouded a building the IAEA believes was used for work on atomic weapons. The next day, the IAEA, which had been pushing for access to the site at Parchin, stated that Iran had "sanitized" the site to the point where there would be little point in inspecting it.August 24: Talks take place in Vienna between Iran and the IAEA to discuss "outstanding issues" related to Iran's nuclear program. The discussions are later described as having "failed," with no plans for another meeting announced at their conclusion.

May: The UNs World Intellectual Property Organization is discovered to have shipped sensitive technology to Iran and North Korea in possible violation of UN Security Council sanctions.

May: The UNs World Intellectual Property Organization is discovered to have shipped sensitive technology to Iran and North Korea in possible violation of UN Security Council sanctions.May 22: The IAEA and Iran reach an agreement during talks in Tehran allowing the IAEA access to the Parchin military complex.

April 16: The Security Council condemns North Korea's 4/13 rocket launch.March 5: IAEA head Yukiya Amano says that Iran has tripled its monthly production of higher grade enriched uranium, and that the IAEA has "serious concerns" about possible military dimensions to Iran's military activities.February 24: According to an IAEA report, Iran has rapidly ramped up production of higher grade enriched uranium, while failing to account for a quantity of missing uranium metal, which would be large enough for experiments in arming a nuclear missile.February 22: IAEA officials visit Iran and are denied access to key military sites. No agreement is reached between IAEA officials and Iranian officials on a document facilitating the clarification of unresolved issues in connection with Irans nuclear program, according to a statement by the IAEA.January 9: The IAEA confirms reports that Iran has begun uranium enrichment to a fissile purity of 20 percent at an underground bunker.

DiplomaticOctober 25: EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton agrees to discuss next steps for nuclear talks with Iran's chief nuclear negotiatior Saeed Jalili.September 18: Iran's chief nuclear negotiatior Saeed Jalili meets with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to discuss restarting negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

September 1: Iran and North Korea sign a scientific and technological cooperation agreement. September 1: Iran and North Korea sign a scientific and technological cooperation agreement.July 3: Low level talks take place between Iran and the P5+1 in Istanbul. The talks recessed the next day without progress.May 23-24: A second round of talks take place between the P5+1 and Iran. The talks again recess without agreement, with an additional round scheduled to take place in Moscow in June.

April 17: After international condemnation following the failed missile launch, the Korean Central News Agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying that North Korea was able to take necessary retaliatory measures, free from (the Leap Day) agreement, implying that the Leap Day agreement was no longer valid.

April 14: Talks between Iran and the United States, Germany, France, Britain, China, and Russia resume in Istanbul. Talks adjourned without agreement.April 12: Ahmadinejad says Iran will not surrender its nuclear rights.March 9: P5 + 1 issue a statement urging Iran to grant IAEA inspectors access to Parchin, which the IAEA had previously said possessed a containment chamber that may be used for nuclear weapons related testing.

February 29: The State Department announces that North Korea has agreed to a moratorium on enrichment activities at Yongbyon and a return of international inspectors to verify compliance.February 25: North Korea threatens sacred war over annual U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises even while demanding that U.S. negotiators in Beijing insert a phrase regarding the U.S. having no hostile intent towards North Korea in the Leap Day agreement being negotiated.February 23: United States and North Korean officials meet in Beijing for talks on North Korea's nuclear program.


Technical - NuclearSeptember 3: Bushehr plant begins supplying electricity to the national grid.August 22: Iran says it is transferring its centrifuges from Natanz to the underground facility at Fordo.June 8: Iran says it will triple production of higher grade uranium, and shift production to an underground bunker.April 9: Iran announces the production and testing of second and third generation centrifuges.April 8: Nuclear fuel is loaded into the reactor at Bushehr.

February 10: Director of National Intelligience James Clapper testifies before HPSCI that, based on the likely prospect that North Korea has been pursuing enrichment activities for an extended period of time, "there is clear prospect that DPRK has built other uranium enrichment related facilities in its territory, including likely R&D and centrifuge fabrication facilities, and other enrichment facilities."

Technical - MissileApril 15: A mobile rocket-launcher, which could be of Chinese origin, appears in the military parade in Pyongyang commemorating the 100th anniversary of North Koreas founder. This raises the question of whether Beijing has been violating UN-imposed sanctions on North Korea.

United NationsNovember 18: IAEA censures Iran over evidence that Iran is attempting to develp an atom bomb, with no further sanctions.November 8: The IAEAs quarterly report provides evidence that Iran is engaged in the process of developing a nuclear weapon. The report shows that Iran has not suspended its enrichment activities (violating Security Council resolutions) and is engaged in activities relevant to the development of a nuclear device, such as warhead design and testing triggering devices. The IAEA passes a resolution criticizing Irans nuclear activity, but does not call for new sanctions or recommend penalties.September 2: The IAEA releases a report stating that it is increasingly concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear related activities, including those related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile.August 23: Iran allows deputy director of the IAEA to view a facility for developing advanced uranium enrichment machines.May 24: An IAEA report states that Iran has not suspended its enrichment or heavy water related activities (contrary to resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council). The report indicates Iran conducted work on nuclear triggering technology with potential military applications.

May 14: A leaked report shows Iran and North Korea appeared to exchange ballistic missile technology, violating sanctions.

DiplomaticDecember 17: Kim Jong Il dies. He is succeeded by his son Kim Jong Un.November 30: A spokesman for North Korea's Foreign Ministry tells state news "the construction of an experimental light-water reactor and the low-enriched uranium for the provision of raw materials are progressing apace".October 25: The United States and North Korea conclude talks on steps to resume six party talks without agreement.July 29: North Korea and the United States hold talks at the US Mission to the UN.March 15: North Korea tells Russia envoy it is willing to discuss its uranium enrichment program if six party talks resume.

January 21: Iran does not make any concessions in the six power talks. No further talks are planned.


Technical - NuclearDecember 5: Iranian nuclear chief states that Iran will use domestically produced yellowcake for the first time, which will reduce reliance on imports.

November 20: Dr. Siegried Hecker reports that North Korean officials showed his delegation what they claimed was an operating gas centrifuge uranium enrichment plant at the Yongbyon nuclear site. Dr. Hecker estimates that the plant had 2,000 centrifuges (most likely P-2 centrifuges) in six cascades, with a capacity of 8,000 kg SWU/year.

October 26: Iran begins loading fuel into the core of its nuclear reactor. The plant was formally opened in August but the work of actaully loading the reactor core had been delayed.October 20: Iran's nuclear chief says Iran has 30 kg of uranium enriched to 20%- almost twice the amount reported in June.October 19: Iran steps up uranium exploration.August 15: Iran plans to build a third nuclear enrichment plant that would not be vulnerable to air strikes.August 12: An Iranian official says that the country is ready to launch its first nuclear power plant located in Bushehr.August 9: ISIS reports that Iran has begun using its second cascade to produce 20% enriched uranium more efficiently.April 19: Iran says it will work on a new enrichment plant.April 9: Iran announces new, faster centrifuges.February 11: Iran claims to have enriched uranium to 20%, confirming an IAEA report that it intended to do so. Until now, Iran has produced uranium enriched to 3.5% for power stations. Western powers fear Iran is headi

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Iran-North Korea Nuclear Timeline (Update)