The Global Story Whatever happened to Iran’s nuclear programme?
Dec 1, 2025
Parham Ghobadi, a senior reporter for BBC Persian with extensive experience covering Iran, discusses the fallout from the recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. He explores the lasting impact on Iran's nuclear capabilities, the opacity surrounding uranium enrichment, and the daily life of Iranians amid social unrest. Ghobadi sheds light on regime fears of protests, the surprising resilience of Iran's nuclear expertise, and the complex dynamics of liberalization efforts as a survival strategy. Get an inside view of a nation at a crossroads!
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Nuclear Capacity Was Damaged, Not Eradicated
- The June strikes damaged Iran's nuclear facilities but did not destroy nuclear know-how.
- Parham Ghobadi warns 400kg of 60% enriched uranium and surviving scientists mean a restart remains plausible.
Personal Shock Watching Tehran Bombed
- Parham Ghobadi describes the surreal shock Iranians felt watching their capital bombed, recalling memories of the Iran-Iraq war.
- He recounts families refusing to flee Tehran despite calls from diaspora relatives.
Conflict Ended With A Pause, Not A Treaty
- Iran retaliated by striking an American base in Qatar, surprising many observers.
- The U.S. then urged Israel to stop and the conflict entered a paused state rather than a formal ceasefire.