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International Relations GS 2 In the news 3 times

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), 2015

The JCPOA, concluded in July 2015 in Vienna, was a multilateral agreement between Iran and the P5+1 (USA, UK, France, Russia, China + Germany) plus the EU. It placed quantitative limits on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Key details
  • Signed: 14 July 2015; implemented from 16 January 2016.
  • Parties: Iran + P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China, Germany) + EU.
  • Key Iranian commitments under JCPOA:
  • Limit enrichment to 3.67% uranium-235.
  • Cap enriched uranium stockpile at 300 kg.
  • Reduce centrifuge numbers from ~19,000 to ~6,104 (first-generation IR-1 centrifuges at Natanz).
  • Redesign Arak heavy-water reactor to prevent plutonium production.
  • Accept enhanced IAEA monitoring, including IAEA Additional Protocol.
  • Breakout time under JCPOA: estimated at 12 months (from material to bomb).
  • US withdrawal: May 2018 under the "maximum pressure" policy; Iran progressively violated JCPOA limits from May 2019 onward.
In the news

● Tracked since April 13, 2026 · last seen May 17, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

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