The Islamic Republic of Iran today announced that it is no longer bound by the restrictions placed on its nuclear program following the expiration of a landmark 10-year deal between Iran and world powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
With the accord reaching its scheduled “termination day,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that, as of today, “all of the provisions [of the deal], including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear programme and the related mechanisms are considered terminated.”
Iran’s Nuclear Deal Ends: UN Oversight Ends Too – Why That’s Bad News For Everyonehttps://t.co/Cj3WaFfyX4
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The 2015 agreement, signed in Vienna by Iran, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, provided for the lifting of international sanctions against Iran in exchange for verifiable restrictions and strict supervision of its nuclear activities by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
However, the pact has been under immense strain since the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions. Following this withdrawal, Tehran began gradually scaling back its own commitments. The recent reimposition of widespread UN sanctions, initiated by three European signatories (Britain, France, and Germany) in late September, rendered the accord effectively moot.
The JCPOA had capped Iran’s uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent. Following the U.S. withdrawal, Iran has stepped up its nuclear program. According to the IAEA, Iran is currently enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity, significantly above the level required for civilian nuclear energy production. Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting its program is solely for peaceful, civilian purposes.
Despite the formal expiration of the restrictive measures, the Foreign Ministry statement concluded by affirming: “Iran firmly expresses its commitment to diplomacy.”
In a separate communication, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the United Nations, stating that the expiration of the 2015 deal renders the renewed sanctions “null and void.” Iran also criticized the “irresponsible actions” of the three European countries (E3) which, it claims, sabotaged recent efforts to revive cooperation with the IAEA.
The Islamic Republic remains prepared to engage in serious and constructive dialogue to resolve outstanding issues and ensure the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.
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