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 victories of Operation Rising Lion prove God protects his chosen people - opinion

Rising Lion indeed is a “peculiar and fateful” moment in history, and point to the attentive hand of God in our world.

|ByDAVID M. WEINBERG
AN IRANIAN missile attack is intercepted, as seen in the skies of northern Israel last week. Iran managed to fire about 600 missiles at Israel in 18 barrages, but 87% were intercepted by Israeli and other defensive systems, the writer notes.
Israelis rally in support of a hostage deal, July 5, 2025.

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|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Palestinian carries water amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip February 4, 2025

Israel-Hamas War day 637: What's happening in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran?

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|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IAEA's Grossi and Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi appear before an illustrative image of a US-struck Iranian nuclear site

Iran enacts law halting all cooperation with nuclear watchdog IAEA

The bill, titled ‘Suspension of the Islamic Republic's Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency with a Two-Urgency Requirement,’ was originally put forward in parliament last month.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS

The risky gamble on Trump - opinion

Trump supporters would do well to pause; this is someone who scraps long-standing policies one day and reinstates them the next.

JULY 2, 2025ByTOVA HERZL
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks to the media in the White House press briefing room last week. The writer asks: Will Trump work to achieve a long-term agreement that prevents a future Iranian threat?

Iranian FM tells CBS that he does not believe US talks will start anytime soon

This comes after the US president said that diplomatic talks with Iran could resume this week, though the White House noted that no talks were scheduled.

JULY 1, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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 launches new special legal group to pursue cases against ‘Israeli, US aggression’ during war

Iranian politician Majid Ansari made the announcement in a message on Saturday, while also congratulating the families of those who lost their lives during the conflict.

JUNE 28, 2025ByALEX WINSTON
Majid Ansari

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Trump denied the NBC and CNN reports that the Trump administration in recent days had explored possible economic incentives for Iran in return for its government halting uranium enrichment.

JUNE 28, 2025ByREUTERS
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters onboard Air Force One en route to the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 24, 2025.

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A satellite image shows airstrike craters covered with dirt at the Natanz Enrichment Facility, following US airstrikes, in Natanz County, Iran, June 24, 2025

Iran reportedly approves bill to suspend cooperation with IAEA at nuclear facilities

The country's Supreme National Security Council now needs to give final approval to the move.

JUNE 25, 2025ByREUTERS
Reza Najafi, Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations (UN), seen at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, June 9, 2025

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This is not a forever war - it is decisive action to prevent the single most destabilizing development in the region: A nuclear-armed Islamic Republic of Iran.

JUNE 23, 2025ByJOHN SPENCER
People attend a protest against the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, in Tehran, Iran, June 22, 2025

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.

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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.

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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.

JUNE 23, 2025ByNEVILLE TELLER
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.

'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.

JUNE 22, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN
L to R: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump. (illustration)

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

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JUNE 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
Houthi supporters burn Israeli and US flags in solidarity with Palestinians and Iran, in Sanaa, Yemen June 20, 2025