What is the Iran nuclear deal?
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was an agreement signed in 2015 under Barack Obama as president, and implemented in 2016 between six world powers and Iran. The deal lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran slowing its nuclear research and development program and allowing UN weapons inspections. World powers feared Iran was on the path to making a nuclear weapon. The deal allowed Iran to sell its oil again and reintegrate into the global economy.
Who signed the deal?
Iran and the US, UK, Russia, France, China and Germany, sometimes referred to as the “P5+1” (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany).
Why are we talking about it now?
Because US President Donald Trump has declared his intention to scrap the deal. He believes it doesn’t go far enough in restraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and helps enable Iran to become a player in other conflicts, particularly in Syria and Yemen. Trump has called it “the worst deal ever made” and has called on the US Congress and Europe to “fix” it. Trump has complained about UN inspectors not being allowed onto Iranian military sites; about Iran’s ballistic missile program not being part of the agreement; and about a “sunset” clause which could see the agreement end in as little as 10 years.
Read the explanatory article in The Sydney Morning Herald.