The Jerusalem Post - Israel News

Iran Nuclear Deal

The Iran nuclear deal, formally the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, is an agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and world powers focused on Iran's nuclear program and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The deal, reached July 14th, 2015 following almost two years of negotiations, was signed by Iran, the European Union and the P5+1, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—plus Germany. The deal severely limits Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and imposed limitations on the country's nuclear program in exchange for an easing of international sanctions imposed on the country. The deal was a fundamental tenet of United States President Barack Obama's foreign policy and is thus under heavy scrutiny by his successor, Donald Trump, who has threatened to remove the United States from the deal. Nuclear Agreements Under the framework of the Iran nuclear deal, the country agreed to cut its stockpile of uranium and centrifuges, which could be used to build a nuclear bomb, for a period of 15 years, after which the country can continue unconstrained in those areas. For 10 years, Iran agreed to reduce its low-enriched uranium by 98 percent, from 10,000 kilograms to 300 kilograms, and to only enrich uranium to 3.67 percent, sufficient for civilian nuclear power but not for nuclear weapons. Uranium enriched with the isotope Uranium-235 is supportive of fission chain reactions, a key component in nuclear bombs. Iran also agreed for 10 years to completely eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, around 20%. The country capped the number of centrifuges installed at 6,104 , eliminated its advanced centrifuges and agreed not to build new enriching facilities for 15 years. It was also agreed that a heavy-water nuclear facility in Arak will be converted to a nuclear research facility with the excess material exported to the international market. Research and Development The Iran nuclear deal limited the country's research and development of enriched uranium to only the Natanz plant under heavy limitations for the first eight years, a move designed by world powers to keep Iran's "breakout time"— the time it would take Iran to build a nuclear bomb from scratch— at one year, instead of the estimated two-to-three months before the deal. Iran agreed to grant the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to any site following a 24-day compliance period if the inspectors raise suspicions of secret nuclear activity. The Iran nuclear deal allows for IAEA inspectors to be present at all times monitoring Iranian researchers and allows for an eight-member joint commission- including Iran- to rule on violations of compliance by way of a simple majority. Lifting of sanctions The international community agreed to lift sanctions on Iran, contingent upon its continued commitment to the terms of the deal, and "snap back" provisions were included, wherein prior sanctions would be re-implemented should Iran be found in violation of the accord. Iran is to receive $100 billion in frozen assets from overseas banks as the United States, European Union and the United Nations agreed to cease nuclear-related sanctions on Iran. In addition, the United States agreed to halt secondary sanctions, sanctions against businesses that themselves to business with Iran, however sanctions targeting ballistic missiles or conventional weaponry remained in effect. Reaction to the Iran nuclear deal While the Iran Nuclear deal was met with widespread praise, it was criticized by both United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The former referred to it as "the worst deal ever" and Netanyahu said it was "a bad mistake of historic proportions."

The US, Israel should give Iran terms of surrender now - opinion

The immediate handover of all enriched uranium above 3% level permitted for civilian use; a complete cessation of support for regional proxy militias; and an end to Iran’s ballistic missile program.

|ByDAN PERRY
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump holds a meeting, with Vice President J.D. Vance alongside him, in the Situation Room at the White House on Saturday. There should be a swift pivot to negotiations, presenting Tehran with clear and firm terms, says the writer.
IRAN’S FOREIGN MINISTER Abbas Araghchi speaks on the phone during a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in Istanbul on Saturday. If Iran’s leadership believes it can’t prevail against Israel and the US, it will likely decide to negotiate, says the writer.

Iran’s countdown to erase Israel backfires - opinion

Iran's leaders may regret the clock erected in Tehran; the longer it continues to mark down the days until Israel’s putative disappearance, the more of a humiliation it becomes.

|ByNEVILLE TELLER
L to R: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump. (illustration)

'Finish the job': How Netanyahu convinced Trump to strike Iran's nuclear sites - exclusive

Trump only planned to bomb nuclear facilities in Fordow - but was convinced by Netanyahu and Dermer to target Natanz and Isfahan, an Israeli official told the Post.

|ByAMICHAI STEIN
Houthi supporters burn Israeli and US flags in solidarity with Palestinians and Iran, in Sanaa, Yemen June 20, 2025

Houthis threaten US ships in Red Sea if Trump joins Israel's Iran strikes

The US president has been unclear on whether or not he will decide to strike Iran after nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran reached an impasse.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS

Europe's nuclear offers are 'unrealistic,' senior Iranian officials say as war with Israel rages

An Iranian official said that zero enrichment was a dead end and that Iran would not negotiate over its defensive capabilities, including its missile program.

JUNE 21, 2025
ByREUTERS
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, flanked by France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to media after nuclear talk in Geneva.

UNSC to meet over Iran strikes, Iranian officials consider removing Khamenei from power

Netanyahu says Israel will not continue actions in Iran longer than needed • Home Front Command extends essential-only activity restrictions until at least Monday evening

JUNE 21, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, June 20, 2025.

What is Diego Garcia? The US military base that will be key to operations against Iran - explainer

What is there, what aircraft operate from it, and why could it become a critical link in any future conflict in the Middle East?

JUNE 20, 2025
US B2 Spirit stealth bomber

Understanding Pakistan’s risky alignment with Iran - opinion

Pakistan’s tilt toward Iran may carry significant costs. Washington has warned that countries doing business with Tehran could face secondary sanctions.

JUNE 19, 2025
PAKISTAN’S PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif meets with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran last month. They stressed the need for collective action against Israel’s actions in Gaza, says the writer.

Operation Rising Lion: A declaration of Jewish sovereignty in the Middle East - opinion

By striking deep into the heart of Iran’s nuclear and terror infrastructure, Israel has sent a message to Tehran and its proxies: the Jewish people will not be passive targets of genocidal regimes.

JUNE 18, 2025
ByWILLIAM DAROFF
IRANIAN FLAGS fly as fire and smoke rise from an Israeli attack on the Sharan oil depot in Tehran on Sunday. The world watches as Israel exercises the most basic right of any sovereign state: the right of self-defense, says the writer.

European ministers to hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday in Geneva, source says

The purpose of the talks is allegedly to convince the Islamic Republic to use its nuclear program for civilian purposes.

JUNE 18, 2025
ByREUTERS
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2025.

Trump expected to offer Iran 'last-chance' proposal, US and European sources tell 'Post'

An Israeli official told the Post that, as of now, Israel has not received any official approach.

JUNE 16, 2025
US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House to attend the G7 summit in Canada, in Washington, DC, US, June 15, 2025

Iran preparing to leave non-proliferation treaty in nuclear escalation

President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated on Monday that nuclear weapons were against a religious edict by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

JUNE 16, 2025
ByREUTERS
Fire of Israeli attack on Shahran Oil depot is seen following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025

Public condemnation, private interest: Arab world response to Israel's Iran strikes - opinion

Almost all Arab states that have signed peace or normalization agreements with Israel issued statements of condemnation against the attack.

JUNE 16, 2025
ByELI PODEH
IRAN’S PRESIDENT Masoud Pezeshkian meets with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran in April. Most Arab rulers oppose Iran’s turning into a nuclear power, the writer states.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei not 'off limits,' Israeli official tells WSJ

Israel has already claimed responsibility for the deaths of nine scientists instrumental in Iran's nuclear program, as well as senior Iranian generals.

JUNE 15, 2025
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2025.

Iranian FM says Israel’s preemptive attack disrupted nuclear talks with US

Iranian foreign minister rejects restraint, vows firm response after Israeli attacks.

JUNE 14, 2025
Image of Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi against a backdrop of the Iranian flag, US flag and fire.