PARIS (AFP), 12 January 2018 – In a hard-won deal struck in 2015, Iran agreed to freeze its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of punishing international sanctions.
It was a breakthrough that ended a 12-year standoff between Iran and the West, concerned that Tehran was developing a nuclear bomb.
US President Donald Trump, who openly despises the deal, is to decide Friday whether or not to re-impose sanctions on Iran at the risk of sinking the accord.
Here is some background:
– 21 months of talks –
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.
By November they reach an interim deal that is finalised in April 2015 and signed on July 14 that year.
The UN Security Council adopts the deal on July 20, 2015 and it comes into force on January 16, 2016.
– Main points –
The accord brings to a minimum of one year, for at least 10 years, the “breakout time” that Iran needs to produce enough fissile material to make an atom bomb.
Among other points, Tehran 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.
The deal limits all enrichment to only one facility.
It also stipulates that Iran’s pre-deal stockpile of 12 tonnes of low-enriched uranium — enough for several nuclear weapons if further enriched — must be reduced to 300 kilogrammes (660 pounds) for 15 years.
Only enrichment to low purities is allowed, also for 15 years.
– Controls –
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.
UN inspectors have certified Iran’s compliance with the deal nine times, most recently in November.
– Sanctions eased –
The accord paved the way for a partial lifting of international sanctions on Iran, opening the door for foreign investors with French energy giant Total and carmakers PSA and Renault quick to strike deals.
UN embargoes on the sale of conventional arms and on ballistic missiles to Iran are however been maintained up to 2020 and 2023 respectively.
– Europe backing –
Trump refused in October to certify that Iran was respecting its commitments on the 2015 nuclear agreement but did not re-impose sanctions or abandon the deal itself.
Deadlines for the renewal of US waivers on sanctions on Iran start to expire this weekend and he is obliged to decide whether or not to maintain them.
