One wonders what Iran has gained from its nuclear programme other than human and economic losses that have accumulated over decades, at a time when the Iranian people are suffering from hardships, declining purchasing power, and poor services of all kinds. According to The New Yorker magazine, the programme provides only about 1% of Iran's energy needs, while costing $500bn in infrastructure, research, and the losses incurred from international sanctions.
Furthermore, it is estimated that Iran has spent between $100bn-$200bn over the past three decades on its military, political, and media arms across the region. This includes the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, Iraqi militias, the Houthis, Hamas, the criminal Assad regime in Syria, and others.
Factoring in the costs of sanctions and lost economic and investment opportunities for a country like Iran, which is oil-rich, has a large population, and a vast territory, experts estimate that successive generations of Iranian youth have lost at least $2tn over four decades. Meanwhile, Iran’s economy is under unprecedented strain, with inflation at 40% and the value of Iran’s currency, the rial, dropping lower every day.
