A brief history of Iran's nuclear program

2002 Jan. President Bush describes Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as an "axis of evil."

Sept. Russian technicians begin construction of Iran's first nuclear reactor.

2003 Feb. The International Atomic Energy Agency visits Iran to verify claims that its nuclear program is peaceful.

June IAEA requests that Iran sign on to an additional protocol of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and allow unannounced inspections of its nuclear sites.

Sept. IAEA gives the country weeks to prove it is not pursuing an atomic weapons program.

Nov. Iran says it is suspending its uranium enrichment program and will allow tougher UN inspections of its nuclear facilities. IAEA report concludes there is no evidence of a weapons program.

Dec. Iran signs the additional NPT protocol.

2004 May Iran hands over a more than 1,000-page report to the IAEA on its nuclear activities.

June IAEA reports finding new traces of enriched uranium that exceeded the levels necessary for civilian energy production.

Aug. Iranian president says the IAEA must accept Iran's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Sept. 1 An IAEA report states that a number of Iran's claims about its nuclear development were plausible but expresses concern over Iran's decision to resume large-scale production of the feed material for enriching uranium.

Sept. 14 Iran refuses to accept an unlimited suspension of uranium enrichment and says it will not stop manufacturing centrifuges.

Sept. 18 IAEA gives deadline of Nov. 25 for Iran to disclose all its nuclear activities.

Yesterday The IAEA adopts a resolution on the agency's safeguards agreement with Iran. This includes surveillance cameras for 20 sets of centrifuge components.

SOURCES: AFP, BBC, IAEA

GLOBE STAFF GRAPHIC/Kathleen Hennrikus