The 10-year nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Iran and world powers has officially concluded. This landmark deal, signed in Vienna in 2015 by Iran and the P5+1 nations plus the EU, was instrumental in restricting Iran’s nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief. The accord’s “termination day” arrived on October 18, 2025, marking the formal end of its decade-long duration, as established by UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
Resolution 2231, unanimously adopted in July 2015, gave legal standing to the JCPOA, lifting previous UN sanctions and invalidating six earlier Security Council resolutions concerning Iran’s nuclear program. A crucial aspect of this resolution was the removal of Iran from Chapter 41 of the UN Charter, thereby preventing the Security Council from imposing sanctions or other non-military coercive measures without resorting to military force. The agreement also imposed specific restrictions on Iran’s conventional weapons and ballistic missile programs for defined periods.
Throughout the JCPOA’s 10-year span, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) consistently verified Iran’s compliance and found no evidence that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons. As the deal expires, Iran considers all restrictions on its nuclear program and related mechanisms to be terminated. The nation’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed the expiration of all JCPOA provisions. Iran continues to prioritize diplomacy as its preferred path forward.
The JCPOA faced a significant challenge when the United States withdrew unilaterally in May 2018, reimposing sanctions. Iran initially maintained its commitments for approximately one year, awaiting the promised economic benefits from European signatories. When these benefits failed to materialize, Iran began a gradual rollback of its obligations, citing clauses within the deal that allow for suspension or reduction of commitments if other parties fail to uphold their end.
Escalating tensions saw Iran increase its uranium enrichment levels to 60 percent, a threshold below weapons-grade purity but suitable for medical isotopes and research reactors. Officials have consistently stated that these enrichment activities are reversible if sanctions are lifted and the JCPOA is restored.
A critical component of the JCPOA was the “snapback” mechanism, which permitted any signatory to reinstate UN sanctions if Iran was found to be in “significant” breach. In late August 2025, the European signatories—France, Germany, and the UK—activated this provision, reimposing sanctions related to arms transfers, missile development, and financial transactions. Iran vehemently opposed this move, labeling it politically motivated and lacking legal basis, and declared it would end European engagement on its nuclear file. This action followed an IAEA report detailing concerns about Iran’s cooperation and its enriched uranium stockpiles, which led the IAEA Board of Governors to declare Iran in violation of its non-proliferation commitments.
Subsequently, Iran’s Parliament suspended cooperation with the IAEA, citing the agency’s reporting as a potential pretext for external interference. Foreign Minister Araghchi recently indicated that Iran sees no reason to engage in negotiations with European countries following their snapback action. In a formal communication to the UN Secretary-General, Iran’s Foreign Minister asserted that the expiration of the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 renders all associated sanctions null and void.
Iran has a long-standing commitment to a peaceful nuclear energy program, a right recognized under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Despite facing decades of sanctions and alleged sabotage, Iran maintains its focus on peaceful nuclear applications. International bodies and intelligence assessments acknowledge no evidence of a military nuclear dimension. With the JCPOA’s formal conclusion, Iran asserts its sovereign control over its nuclear program and remains open to diplomatic engagement, provided that its security and economic interests are guaranteed.