The Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was an agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and a group of world powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China. The JCPOA aimed to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons while providing Iran with relief from international economic sanctions.

Here are the key details of the Iran nuclear deal:

Limits on Uranium Enrichment: Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment activities, reducing its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98% to a level far below what is required for developing nuclear weapons. Iran's enrichment was restricted to 3.67% purity, which is suitable for civilian nuclear power plants but not for weapons.

Fordow and Natanz Facilities: Iran agreed to convert its Fordow underground uranium enrichment facility into a research center and refrain from enriching uranium there for 15 years. The Natanz facility, Iran's main enrichment site, would continue to operate but with limitations.

Enhanced Inspections: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gained increased access and monitoring capabilities to ensure Iran's compliance with the deal. This included regular inspections of declared and undeclared nuclear facilities, access to uranium mines and mills, and the monitoring of Iran's supply chain for nuclear-related materials.

Sanctions Relief: In return for Iran's compliance with the nuclear restrictions, the international community agreed to lift certain economic sanctions that had been imposed on Iran. This included sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program, as well as sanctions targeting its oil exports, banking sector, and other industries.

Sunset Provisions: The JCPOA included certain time-limited provisions. Some restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities would gradually be lifted over a period of 10 to 15 years, allowing Iran to expand its enrichment program under specific conditions. However, other restrictions, such as those related to inspections and monitoring, would remain in place for a longer duration.

Dispute Resolution Mechanism: The deal established a dispute resolution process to address concerns and ensure compliance. If any party believed that Iran was not fulfilling its obligations, the matter would be referred to a Joint Commission consisting of representatives from the P5+1 countries, Iran, and the European Union. If the issue was not resolved, it could ultimately lead to the reimposition of sanctions.

The Iran nuclear deal was seen as a major diplomatic achievement aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It was intended to provide a peaceful resolution to the long-standing concerns about Iran's nuclear program and improve regional stability. However, in May 2018, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing concerns beyond the scope of the nuclear deal, such as Iran's ballistic missile program and regional activities. This withdrawal created uncertainty around the future of the agreement, as Iran has since taken steps to resume some nuclear activities that were restricted under the JCPOA

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