Periodic alerts providing news and analysis on the negotiations and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1 (China, Germany, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and Iran over the latter's nuclear program. To receive these by email, subscribe to our regular updates list.
Biden officials continue to express their support for U.S. re-entry to the JCPOA, but caution that restoring the agreement may take time. Iran supports the restoration of the deal but is also pursuing steps in further violation of its obligations under the JCPOA in accordance with its December 2020 nuclear law.
Iran's parliament and Guardian Council passed legislation requiring Iran to significantly rachet up its nuclear activities in 60 days. That legislation passed the same day that Iran informed the IAEA of its intention to install new advanced centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment facility, marking a further violation of the nuclear deal and increasing pressure on President-elect Biden to restore U.S. diplomacy with Iran and compliance with the JCPOA.
The UN arms embargo on Iran expired on October 18, freeing Iran to buy and sell conventional weapons. The Trump administration imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran, and Iran announced the construction of a new facility at Natanz to replace what was damaged during the July sabotage attack.
The United Nations again dismissed U.S. efforts to reimpose sanctions on Iran that were lifted as a result of the nuclear deal, and Secretary-General Guterres told the Security Council he would not take steps to implement those measures. Amid U.S. efforts to block Iranian arms sales, Iran announced two new missiles and Iranian President Rouhani criticized the U.S. sanctions regime against Iran.
The UN Security Council rejected a U.S. resolution to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran. Iran demonstrated its new missile capability and Elliot Abrams as named the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, replacing Brian Hook.