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The Spy Who
The Spy Who

The Spy Who Sold Nuclear Secrets to Iran | The Seeds of Revenge | 1

April 28, 2026 • 37m

Summary

⏱️ 15 min read

Overview

This episode chronicles the origin story of A.Q. Khan, the Pakistani scientist who stole nuclear secrets from the Netherlands and built a global proliferation network. Beginning with suspicions about Khan's espionage in 1974, the episode traces his journey from a metallurgist at a Dutch nuclear facility to the architect of Pakistan's bomb program and eventually a dealer selling nuclear technology to Iran and beyond. Despite warnings and surveillance, Western intelligence agencies failed to stop Khan before he could transfer critical uranium enrichment technology to multiple nations.

Fritz Wiermann's Suspicions and the First Warning

In 1974 Amsterdam, Fritz Wiermann, a technical photographer at FDO (a company designing uranium enrichment centrifuge components), grows concerned about his colleague Dr. Abdul Qadir Khan. After observing suspicious behavior, Wiermann makes an anonymous call to Urenco warning that Khan might be spying for Pakistan. Despite this early warning, the tip goes nowhere, leaving Wiermann uncertain whether he imagined the threat or if a genuine espionage operation is underway.

  • Fritz Wiermann works at FDO, a company that designs components for ultra-centrifuges used in uranium enrichment
  • After India tests its first nuclear weapon, Wiermann notices Khan's intense emotional reaction and suspicious activities
  • Wiermann calls Urenco's director's office to report his concerns that Khan is a spy for Pakistan
  • Despite the warning, Urenco never follows up with Wiermann about his report
" I don't know how else to put this, but I think Abdul's a spy. A spy? Yes, for Pakistan. "

Khan's Motivation: India's Nuclear Test and Personal Trauma

India's 1974 nuclear test triggers a visceral response in Khan, rooted in traumatic experiences during the partition of India and Pakistan. His reaction reveals deep-seated resentment toward India and a determination to help Pakistan achieve nuclear parity. This personal mission, fueled by historical grievances and nationalist fervor, drives Khan to begin secretly gathering classified nuclear technology from his employer.

  • Khan expresses fear for Pakistan's safety after India tests its first nuclear weapon in 1974
  • Khan recounts traumatic partition experiences including villages burned, women abducted, and mass killings
  • Khan describes being robbed of his brother's pen by Indian border guards, calling Hindus 'crooks'
  • Khan begins to see himself as the answer to Pakistan's security needs due to his access to nuclear technology
" Indian liars, they hate Pakistan. They want to destroy us. After partition, my family and millions of other Muslims like us were driven from our homes. Villages were burned. Women abducted. Trainloads of ordinary citizens massacred. "

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