Iranian, P5+1 Proposals to Resolve Iranian Nuclear Issue

Press Contact: Peter Crail, Research Analyst, (202) 463-8270 x102

Since the 2003 exposure of its clandestine nuclear program, Iran has devised at least five proposals which included provisions designed to assure the international community that its nuclear activities are exclusively for peaceful purposes, rather than nuclear weapons. (See ACT, June 2006.). These proposals are described in documents newly-posted on the Arms Control Association's web site below.

According to press reports, Iran sent the first proposal to the United States during the spring of 2003, but the Bush administration dismissed it. Several months later, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom agreed to discuss with Iran a range of nuclear, security, and economic issues as long as Tehran suspended work on its gas-centrifuge-based uranium enrichment program and cooperated fully with an investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, that agreement unraveled the following year when Tehran continued work on some aspects of its enrichment program. Iran then agreed with the Europeans in November 2004 to implement a more stringent suspension. Negotiations between the two sides began shortly afterward. (See ACT, December 2004.)

Iran presented four proposals during the course of its 2004-2005 discussions with the Europeans. In addition to Iran's nuclear program, the proposals covered subjects such as Tehran's support for terrorist organizations, regional security issues, and economic cooperation.

In August 2005, Iran broke its enrichment suspension after rejecting a European proposal calling on Tehran to cease its enrichment program in return for a range of security, technical, and economic incentives. The three European countries, along with China, Russia, and the United States, presented a revised proposal this past June. (See ACT, September 2006.) Iran responded August 22. This response, as well as the proposals, are also available on the Association's web site.