Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — International agreement on the nuclear program of Iran
The JCPOA was the primary multilateral framework limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, shaping nonproliferation policy for a decade.
Key Facts
- Agreement finalized
- 14 July 2015
- Took effect
- 20 January 2016
- Parties
- Iran, P5+1 (China, France, Russia, UK, US, Germany), EU
- US withdrawal
- 2018, under maximum pressure campaign
- Negotiations duration
- Approximately 20 months
- Agreement terminated
- 18 October 2025
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Prolonged international concern over Iran's nuclear activities led to multilateral negotiations beginning with the interim Joint Plan of Action in November 2013. Over 20 months, Iran and the P5+1 countries sought a binding framework to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while offering economic relief through reduced sanctions.
On 14 July 2015 in Vienna, Iran and the P5+1 nations along with the EU finalized the JCPOA, under which Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment levels, reduce its enriched uranium stockpile, cap centrifuge numbers, and accept enhanced IAEA monitoring. Key facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Arak were repurposed for civilian research in return for UN, EU, and US nuclear-related sanctions relief.
The agreement took effect in January 2016 but faced sustained opposition from Israel, Saudi Arabia, and U.S. Republicans. The United States withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions, effectively nullifying the deal's economic provisions. Iran progressively rolled back its commitments, and on 18 October 2025, following the Twelve-Day War, Iran formally terminated the agreement.