Issue Brief on “US-IRAN Nuclear Deal: Future Prospects”

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On October 13, 2017, the US President, Donald Trump, decided to “decertify” the 2015 landmark nuclear deal – also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) –  signed between Iran and E3/EU+3 (France, Germany, UK, EU, Russia, China and the US). Trump, while stating that Iran has committed violations of the agreement pointed out that “in the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, the agreement will be terminated.”

Trump threatened to terminate the deal any time under the US laws.[1] Considering JCPOA as one of the worst and one-sided transaction the US ever entered into, Trump accused that under the nuclear deal, Iran has committed multiple violations such as:[2]

  • Iran continues to develop certain elements of its nuclear program which could enable Iran to rapidly develop nuclear weapons.
  • On two separate occasions, Iran has exceeded the limit of 130 metric tons of heavy water.
  • Iran has failed to meet the US expectations in its operation of advanced centrifuges.
  • Iran has intimidated international inspectors into not using the full inspection authorities that the agreement calls for. As it did not allow inspections of its military sites which the international community suspects as a part of Iran’s clandestine nuclear weapons program.

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