Iran Ends Compliance with JCPOA as 10-Year Nuclear Deal Expires, Reaffirms Commitment to Diplomacy:

In a major development with global implications, Iran has officially declared it is no longer bound by the restrictions set under the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), following the expiration of the 10-year pact. Saturday marked the "termination day" of the agreement — the date set a decade earlier with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming that "all of the provisions, including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear programme and the related mechanisms, are considered terminated." Despite stepping away from the deal’s constraints, Tehran emphasized its “commitment to diplomacy”, signaling that it remains open to peaceful dialogue, albeit under new terms. A Deal Unraveled Over Time The JCPOA was signed in 2015 between Iran and six world powers — the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China. It promised relief from international sanctions in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme. However, in 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement under then-President Donald Trump, reimposing harsh sanctions. This move triggered a chain reaction: Iran gradually reduced its compliance with the deal’s provisions, and diplomatic efforts to revive the agreement have since stalled. In August, the UK, France, and Germany invoked the “snapback mechanism”, reimposing UN sanctions against Iran. This action effectively nullified the original framework of the JCPOA, prompting experts to declare the deal all but dead. “Termination day is relatively meaningless due to snapback,” said Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association, speaking to AFP. Similarly, Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group, stated that the agreement had been “lifeless” for years, and the snapback mechanism had “officially buried” it. Rising Tensions and Fallout from Regional Conflict Diplomatic relations further deteriorated following a 12-day war in June, in which the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The attacks caused over 1,000 deaths, including hundreds of civilians, and inflicted billions of dollars in damage. In response, Iran cut all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in July. President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a law suspending collaboration with the UN nuclear watchdog, accusing it of "double standards" for not condemning the attacks. The IAEA has since raised serious concerns over its inability to verify Iran’s nuclear stockpile, saying the lack of access has become a "matter of serious concern." Diplomatic Deadlock and Future Prospects Despite the rising tensions, there are signs of potential diplomatic re-engagement. The European trio (UK, France, Germany) recently expressed interest in restarting nuclear talks to reach a “comprehensive, durable and verifiable agreement.” However, Iran has shown little enthusiasm. Senior Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi said last week that Tehran sees “no reason to negotiate” with the Europeans, citing their role in triggering the snapback sanctions. The US has also signaled mixed messages. Former President Donald Trump, now a key political figure again, stated he is open to a peace deal with Iran but insisted that the “ball is in Tehran’s court.” Iran, for its part, remains cautious of US intentions, particularly given the legacy of the Trump administration. Tehran has made it clear that any future negotiations would require firm guarantees against military action or sudden withdrawal from agreements.

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