Iran Declined to Resume Nuclear Deal Negotiations with USA

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Iran declined to resume negotiations on its nuclear programme with the United States.

About

• Trump’s administration has levied sanctions against Iran – including on the country’s oil network – as part of his “maximum pressure” strategy.
  • Trump wrote to Iran, urging negotiations on the nuclear deal or risk military action.
• Iran’s Foreign Minister stated they would only negotiate with other JCPOA members (Europe, Russia, China), not the U.S.

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2015

• Participants:
  • Iran
  • P5+1: Five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, UK, U.S.) plus Germany.
  • EU: Participated in negotiations.

Iran’s Commitments:

• Nuclear Restrictions: Iran agreed not to produce highly enriched uranium or plutonium for nuclear weapons and to ensure its nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, Arak) focus on civilian purposes.
• Centrifuge Limits: Iran limited the number, type, and level of its centrifuges, and reduced its stockpile of enriched uranium.
  • Uranium enriched to 5% is for nuclear power; 20% for research or medical use; 90% for weapons.
• Monitoring and Verification: Iran agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unfettered access to nuclear facilities, including undeclared sites.
  • A Joint Commission monitors the deal’s implementation and resolves disputes, including granting IAEA access to suspicious sites.

What Other Signatories Agreed To:

• Sanctions Relief: The EU, UN, and U.S. agreed to lift nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, but U.S. sanctions on ballistic missiles, terrorism support, and human rights remained.
  • The U.S. lifted sanctions on oil exports but kept restrictions on financial transactions.
  • UN arms and missile bans on Iran were lifted after five years, provided the IAEA confirmed Iran’s nuclear activities remained civilian.
• Violation of the Deal: If any signatory suspects Iran is violating the deal, the UN Security Council can vote on whether to continue sanctions relief.
  • This “snapback” mechanism remains in effect for ten years, after which the UN sanctions are set to be permanently removed.
• Trump’s Withdrawal: In 2018, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, leading Iran to resume nuclear activities.
• Iran’s Nuclear Activity: In 2023, Iran enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, raising international concerns.
  • Key provisions of the JCPOA began to expire by late 2023.

Goals of the JCPOA:

• Delay Iran’s Nuclear Weapon Development: The goal was to delay Iran’s ability to make a nuclear weapon by at least one year, compared to a few months without the agreement.
• Prevent Regional Crisis: Fears that Iran’s nuclear program could lead to preemptive military action by Israel or a nuclear arms race within the region.

Challenges in Negotiation

• Mistrust between the U.S. and Iran: Past betrayals hinder diplomatic progress.
• Diverging Interests: U.S. wants a broader deal; Iran seeks JCPOA restoration.
• Domestic Political Constraints: Hardliners in both nations resist compromise.

Way Ahead

Source: TOI