“Right after I graduated, I interned with the Arms Control Association. It was terrific.”
The P4+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal Alert
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.
Members of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran are making progress toward restoring the nuclear agreement, as the United States and Iran both appear committed to returning to compliance with the accord. Negotiations have not been without hiccups, and an act of sabotage on Iran's Natanz facility threatened to derail talks. Iran celebrated its National Nuclear Day April 10.
The United States and Iran remain at a standstill over a mutual return to the JCPOA. As Iran continues to ratchet up its nuclear activities in violation of the deal, members of Congress have sought to undermine the Biden administration's return to diplomacy.
Iran and the IAEA reached an interim monitoring agreement days before Iran suspended implementation of the additional protocol to its safeguards agreement. Iran's enriched uranium stockpile continues to grow, according to a new IAEA report. Biden administration officials took certain positive steps indicating a shift in U.S. diplomacy toward Iran.
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.