In 2015, the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed a long-term deal on its
nuclear program with a group of six world powers known as P5+1, which includes
the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United
Nations, Russia, France, China, the United Kingdom – plus Germany and the
European Union.
On July 14,2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
between P5+1 and European Union and Iran was announced in Vienna. It was based
on the April 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal.
This nuclear deal came after years of tension over Iran’s claimed
efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. The international community was not ready
to believe that Iran's nuclear program was entirely peaceful.
Commitments Set
Out in the JCPOA
Natanz and Fordo are two uranium enrichment facilities in Iran. In
these facilities uranium hexafluoride gas was fed into centrifuges in order to
separate out the most fissionable or weapon-grade isotope, U-235. Enriched uranium is used to make nuclear
weapons but also the reactor fuel.
Under JCPOA, Iran was allowed to install just 5060 of the oldest and
least efficient centrifuges. Moreover, the uranium stockpile of Iran was
reduced significantly by 98% to 300Kg, this figure must not be exceeded until
2031. The level of uranium enrichment of the stockpile should be kept 3.67%.
By January 2016, the quantity of centrifuges installed at Natanz and
Fordo had reduced drastically. Moreover, tones of low-enriched uranium were
shipped to Russia.
The centrifuges installed at Fordo will be used to produce
radioisotopes for use in industry, science, agriculture and medicine.
Enrichment of uranium will not be permitted at Fordo until 2031, and the
underground facility will be converted into a physics, nuclear and technology
center.
Near the town of Arak, Iran had been building a heavy-water nuclear
facility. During the production of heavy water, the spent fuel from the reactor
contains plutonium, which is believed to be suitable for developing a nuclear
bomb.
Because of the proliferation risk, the world powers had originally
wanted to deconstruct the reactor at Arak. In an interim deal in 2013, Iran
agreed to not fuel or commission the reactor.
Under JCPOA, Iran confirmed that it would reconstruct the reactor at
Arak so that it would not produce any weapon-grade plutonium in the spent fuel.
Moreover, Iran said that all the spent fuel will be sent out of the country as
long as the modified reactor exists.
Iran was also prohibited to accumulate any excess heavy water until
2031 or to construct any additional heavy-water reactors.
Deal under
President Barack Obama Administration
During President Barack Obama's administration, the deal was going in
a peaceful and organized way. Iran abided by the commitments made under JCPOA.
US President Barack Obama's administration was confident that JCPOA
will make sure that Iran is not involved in any activity which is being
practiced to build a nuclear programme.
The global nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), regularly checked Iran's declared nuclear site to make sure that no
fissile or weapon-grade material is being transported secretly to a location to
build a bomb.
Iran also abided by the Additional Protocols to their IAEA Safeguards
Agreement. According to this agreement, inspectors could have access to any
site in the country they deem suspicious.
Deal under
President Donald Trump Administration
Before this deal was signed, sanctions were imposed on Iran by the UN,
US and EU in an attempt to stop the uranium enrichment. Due to these sanctions
imposed on Iran, its economy crippled, costing the country more than $160bn in
oil revenue from 2012 to 2016 alone.
After this deal was signed, Iran was able to continue selling its oil
on the international market. Also, the country gained access to more than
$100bn in assets frozen abroad.
In May 2018, the deal was abandoned by US President Donald Trump.
Moreover, in November 2018, sanctions were re-imposed on Iran and states that
trade with it.
Abandonment of this landmark deal by President Trump led to a
recession in Iran's economy, quadrupling its annual inflation rate, pushing the
value of its currency to record lows, triggering protests and driving away
foreign investors.
The sanctions were opposed by Germany, France and the UK. These three
countries devised another payment method which aimed to help international
companies to trade with Iran without facing US penalties.
After that, commitments made under JCPOA were suspended by Iran. Also,
the country gave a 60-day deadline to other states which signed the deal, to
protect it from the sanctions imposed by the US, otherwise it said it would
resume production of highly enriched uranium.
According to IAEA, the global nuclear watchdog, the production of
enriched uranium has already been increased by Iran but it is not known by how
much.
Attempts to
Restore the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal
The topmost foreign policy priority for US President Joe Biden is to
restore the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
There are several complications in restoring the deal as both sides
insist the other to make the first move. The Biden administration has said that
there will be no relief on sanctions imposed until Tehran shows it’s adhering
to the pact.
While Iran has said it will not return to compliance with the deal
until the US lifts sanctions.
In early April, officials from both countries traveled to Vienna to
participate in indirect talks via European Intermediates to talk about
restoring the deal.
Iran and the United States say they are making 'constructive progress'
in the latest efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
After the first day of indirect talks in Vienna, Austria, two working
groups were established that will focus on getting both countries back into
compliance with the JCPOA.
Nearly three years ago, former US President Donald Trump pulled the US
out of the landmark deal but now the Vienna talks represent the most important
steps toward restoring the 2015 nuclear deal.
Written By – Sanjana Yadav
Edited by – Adrija Saha
0 Comments