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US-IRAN-SANTIONS-NUCLEAR,FACTS
Hard-won 2015 Iran nuclear deal
TEHRAN, Nov 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – In a hard-won deal struck in 2015, Iran
agreed to freeze its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of punishing
international sanctions, ending a 12-year standoff between Iran and the West.
But in May the breakthrough agreement was derailed when President Donald
Trump pulled the United States out and announced he was reimposing the
related sanctions.
Here is some background on the accord:
– Long road –
Negotiations start in June 2013 between Iran and the five permanent members
of the UN Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United
States — plus Germany.
The final deal is signed on July 14, 2015 after 21 months of dogged
discussions.
– The aim –
The goal of the deal is to render it practically impossible for Iran to
build an atom bomb while at the same time allowing Tehran the right to pursue
a civilian nuclear programme.
As part of the agreement, Tehran pledges to reduce its nuclear capacities
for several years.
It agrees to slash the number of centrifuges, which can enrich uranium for
nuclear fuel as well as for nuclear weapons, from more than 19,000 to 5,060,
maintaining this level for 10 years.
Iran also accepts to modify its heavy water reactor in Arak, under the
control of the international community, to make it impossible to produce
plutonium at the reactor for military use.
The deal comes into effect on January 16, 2016.
– Inspectors, sanctions relief –
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is charged with regular
inspections of facilities such as uranium mines and centrifuge workshops for
up to 25 years.
In August 2018, the IAEA says Tehran is sticking to the terms of the deal
but emphasises the importance of Iran’s “timely and proactive cooperation in
providing such access” to sites and locations.
The accord paves the way for a partial lifting of international sanctions
on Iran, opening the door for foreign investors such as French energy giant
Total and carmakers PSA and Renault to strike deals.
UN embargoes on the sale of conventional arms and on ballistic missiles to
Iran are however maintained up to 2020 and 2023 respectively.
– US exit –
In October 2017, Trump refuses to certify that Iran is respecting its
commitments on the agreement but he does not re-impose sanctions or abandon
the agreement.
Trump again waives sanctions in January but he demands that European
partners “fix the terrible flaws”.
On May 8, he announces the United States is pulling out of the deal and
will reimpose sanctions on Iran as well as all companies with ties to the
Islamic republic.
On August 7, Washington reimposes the first set of “the most biting
sanctions ever” — although they are in fact simply a reimposition of
sanctions in place prior to the nuclear deal — targeting access to US
banknotes and key industries such as cars and carpets.
A second tranche of sanctions will kick in on November 5, this time
targeting Iran’s vital oil sector and central bank transactions.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0807 HRS