Key Provisions of the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal Abandoned by the U.S.

The United States indicates it is nearing a peace agreement to conclude the three-month conflict with Iran, though specific terms remain undisclosed. It remains unclear how any new accord would compare to the 2015 agreement, which eased sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Signed by Iran, the U.S., Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed to extend Iran’s “breakout time” for producing a nuclear weapon from two to three months to at least one year. Iran maintains it has never pursued a nuclear weapons program.

The U.S. withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reinstated sanctions. Iran began violating its commitments a year later, and United Nations sanctions were snapped back in 2025, rendering the agreement effectively defunct. Below are the core elements of the original JCPOA.

SANCTIONS RELIEF

The U.S., European Union, and United Nations lifted sanctions targeting Iran’s oil, gas, petrochemical, banking, shipping, and automotive sectors, as well as trade in gold and precious metals. The EU and U.S. also removed the Central Bank of Iran and numerous other entities and individuals from sanctions lists. Additionally, the U.S. permitted the sale of commercial aircraft to Iran and allowed imports of Iranian carpets and food products.

URANIUM ENRICHMENT

Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67% purity for 15 years—well below the 90% threshold required for a weapon and lower than the 20% level achieved prior to the deal. Tehran also consented to cap its enriched uranium stockpile at 300 kilograms, a significant reduction from previous levels, and to decrease its installed centrifuges from roughly 19,000 to 6,100. Excess material was either downblended to natural uranium levels or shipped abroad, reducing the stockpile by 98%, according to U.S. estimates. The underground Fordow facility was slated for conversion into a research center.

PLUTONIUM PRODUCTION

Iran committed to redesigning its heavy-water reactor at Arak to prevent the production of weapons-grade plutonium.

MONITORING AND VERIFICATION

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was granted extensive inspection and monitoring authority to verify compliance.

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