Have Western sanctions hindered Iran's nuclear progress?

Pars Today- Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, acknowledged to Blumberg news channel that the Western sanctions have not impeded Iran to develop its nuclear program.

But how?

The Western sanctions against Iran's peaceful nuclear program began after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The United States and certain Western countries tried, through imposition of tough sanctions, to prevent the development of Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

However, relying on native scientists, the Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved eye-catching breakthroughs:

• First global rank for quality of heavy water
• Fifth global rank for nuclear achievements
• Presence among 5 top countries in nuclear know-how
• Being among 32 countries possessing nuclear power reactors
• Being among few countries achieving complete nuclear fuel cycle
• Presence among top 15 countries in production of organic and nuclear chemistry

These are part of Iran's breakthroughs in the nuclear field despite unprecedented sanctions.  

RM/ME