The landmark 10-year nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has officially concluded. Signed in Vienna in 2015 by Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, Germany, the UK, and the US) along with the EU, the accord aimed to curb Iran’s civilian nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The deal’s “termination day” arrived on October 18, 2025, marking 10 years since its endorsement by UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
Resolution 2231, adopted unanimously, formally ratified the JCPOA, lifting prior UN sanctions and nullifying six earlier Security Council resolutions targeting Iran’s nuclear activities. This resolution also removed Iran from Chapter 41 of the UN Charter, ending provisions that allowed for the imposition of economic sanctions, transport blockades, or severance of diplomatic ties without military intervention. Furthermore, Iran faced a five-year restriction on conventional weapons and an eight-year restriction on ballistic missile activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was tasked with verifying compliance.
Throughout the deal’s duration, the IAEA never reported any indication of Iran pursuing nuclear weapons. Consequently, Iran now considers its nuclear file and all related mechanisms terminated. The Foreign Ministry stated that all provisions of the deal, including nuclear program restrictions, are now considered expired. Despite the expiration, diplomacy remains Tehran’s declared preference.
The JCPOA’s stability faltered significantly when the United States withdrew in May 2018, re-imposing sanctions. Iran initially adhered to the agreement for a year, awaiting promised economic benefits from European signatories. When these failed to materialize, Iran began progressively scaling back its commitments, citing Articles 26 and 36 of the deal that permit such actions in response to non-compliance by other parties.
In response to escalating tensions and the lifting of sanctions, Iran increased its uranium enrichment levels to 60 percent, still below the 90 percent threshold for weapons-grade material. These enrichment activities were stated to be for medical isotopes and research reactor fuel, with officials indicating a readiness to reverse these steps if sanctions were lifted and the deal reinstated.
A critical element of the JCPOA was a snapback mechanism, allowing any signatory to reinstate previous UN sanctions in the event of a “significant” breach by Iran. On August 28, 2025, the European trio—France, Germany, and the UK—triggered this mechanism, reimposing sanctions on arms transfers, missile activities, and financial dealings. Iran denounced this move as politically motivated and lacking legal authority, warning it would end European involvement in its nuclear affairs. This snapback action followed an IAEA report accusing Iran of insufficient cooperation and possessing enough enriched uranium for several nuclear bombs. The IAEA Board of Governors subsequently declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation commitments.
Amidst these developments, Iran’s Parliament halted cooperation with the IAEA, alleging the agency provided pretexts for attacks. Foreign Minister Araghchi recently indicated that Tehran sees no reason to negotiate with Europeans following their snapback action. In a formal letter to the UN Secretary-General, Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that the expiration of the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 renders the sanctions null and void.
Iran has consistently maintained its right to a peaceful nuclear program, a right recognized under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Decades of international pressure, sanctions, and alleged sabotage have not deterred the nation’s pursuit of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. While intelligence agencies and international bodies have found no evidence of a military dimension to Iran’s program, allegations persist from some quarters. With the formal end of the JCPOA, Iran asserts complete control over its nuclear activities and seeks a path forward through diplomacy, provided security assurances are met.
