According to Israelis, they came across a 100 page document through an intelligence operation inside Iran that gave them details of a certain "Project Amad" that existed from late 80s, throughout 90s to 2003. CIA estimated Shahi Iran to have tested Nuclear weapons in the early 1980s openly had he been there. So the project apparently never died. So anyways, with this kidnapped bundle of papers, Israelis and Americans estimated that Iran possibly may have conducted multiple cold tests of implosion-type fission devices deep into excavated tunnels in unknown sites in the 1990s-2003 or maybe later as well. American scientists from
Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) agreed and published a booklet on this too. They claim that Project AMAD is alive an 10 fold more powerful than what existed in 1003. They divided the AMAD into three sections:
(a) Sophisticated high explosives implosion, which is well within the reach of a nation ranked 9 in STEM R&D output (by SJR). They also mentioned that even from the 90s to 2003 neutron guns to trigger the fission were already designed and devices designed (about side of a car tire) were ready to be mated with the then-premier Iranian delivery vehicle MRBM Shahab-3C (recently retired/evolved in favor of its MaRV descendants few years back).
(b) weapons grade enrichment: Iran has three known underground enrichment facilities (+2 alleged). They also claim that there may be other unknown underground facilities. Last
known quantities of known 60 % enriched U235 was 60 kg according to Israelis (45 Kg according to IAEA) which can be enriched to 40 KG weapons-grade 90 % in 1-2 weeks. Iran has both highly efficient centrifugation + laser enrichment mechanisms to accomplish that tasks under mountains without the vulnerability of attack. 40 KG of HEU U235 means around 10 x 4-5 KT implosion fission devices on BM/CM. They called it an "on Demand" system. Lets say a regional alliance gathers up of KSA+Israel+UAE+Turkey to threaten Iran+Iraq+Syria+Hezb-Lebanon and tensions rise etc. There are verbal threats from both sides, two-way airspace breaches, cyberattacks here and there etc. When this would be happening the known quantity will be put on BM/CM/UCAVs while further bulk of 20% known ~250 KG means 50 KG more weapons grade U235 will be enriched for more weaponization. Iran produces more U234 annually than 6 known nuclear-armed countries
(including your countrymen) so this will result in bulking up of weapons very fast.
(c) Delivery mechanism: Over the years Iran has already demonstrated a complete triad of nuclear strike capability or retaliation with:
- Surface Launch from Road mobile TELs using MaRV-BM upto max ~3000 KM (Solid and Liquid ballistic) 1500 km (quasi ballistic, glide), Long range CM from surface (~1500 KM)
- Subsurface underground bases with Silos launching BMs.
- Air launched from Aircrafts, UCAVS. Airlaunched BM and CM are known (150 KM ALBM, 1500 KM ALCM)
- Sea surface launch (CM from ships or TEL on a ship for BM)
- Submarine launched platforms (SLCM).
So according to their claims, Iran is a some sort of a de facto nuclear-armed state. Like Israel itself it wont self declare but keeps the system ready "on-demand". If pushed it will take this route in days. This is probably why it attacks Saoodi aramco refineries, UAE for fun runs proxies in 5 countries, attacks US bases with two dozen Ballistic missiles (not even USSR could do that), and still gets away with it. Pretty much like Israel itself. The problem for Americans, EU, Israel in this scenario is that if they trigger a conflict with Iran, and Iran declares this system to be functional what will stop Turkey, Egypt, KSA from purchasing or making this system? Imagine if egypt purchases nukes and tomorrow there is anti-Israel Ikhwan in power there. So its a dangerous scenario. Also Iranian nukes means Syria, Hezbollah, Houthis and Iraq are under the umbrella too. On the other hand, If they dont trigger a war with Iran, they have a de-facto nuclear armed oil rich power sitting on the neck of the world's most valuable hydrocarbon route with its missiles and is militarily allied with China and Russia. So its a double-edged political sword which is why US, EU, and even Israelis want to talk to Iran. They just did in Doha a week ago. Iran itself keeps on this JCPOA lollipop alive because it knows that the threat of a declaration of nuclear capability is as dangerous as possessing nuclear weapons. so talks continue like an annual chess championship tournament with no side in hurry.
.... or Israelis and Americans are lying as usual to build a case against Iran. Jews in general ethnically are designed to lie while American lied about Iraqi WMD so believe in it at your own will. Maybe poor Iran just wants more electricity and nuclear medicine.