The landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers has officially reached its end. This decision aligns with the end of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the resolution that supported the deal. Tehran says this is the final collapse of the JCPOA, marking a big change in the world’s nuclear negotiations.
What Does the End of the Deal Mean?
The end of Resolution 2231 is not just a date on the calendar — it has serious real-world effects on global security and efforts to stop nuclear weapons. Its expiry removes the final UN-approved limits on Iran’s nuclear program. This means the international oversight mechanism that was established by the deal has now formally dissolved. According to analysts, this eliminates the particular restrictions that were previously in place and gives Iran the legal leeway to pursue its nuclear research and enrich uranium.
For Western powers, the expiration signifies the loss of a crucial diplomatic tool. Through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the JCPOA had made Iran’s nuclear sites more transparent and monitored than before. For diplomats, the lack of these assured access procedures is a serious handicap. It “does not merely conclude a chapter – it removes the last obstacle to a new, unpredictable phase,” a Western official said, capturing the seriousness of the issue.
Who is Accountable for the Collapse?
Iran places the blame squarely on the United States and its European allies. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran had implemented the JCPOA “in good faith and with full precision.” He accused the United States of a gross violation of international law by unilaterally withdrawing from the agreement in 2018 and reimposing harsh sanctions. Furthermore, he criticized European governments for “succumbing to American pressure” and failing to uphold their own obligations to maintain trade with Iran.
In a firm move, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has formally notified the United Nations that Iran will no longer adhere to its remaining commitments under the deal. This action underscores Tehran’s position that the agreement is now void. The main question now is: With the deal gone, can a new plan be created to control Iran’s nuclear program and stop tensions in the region from rising?
Iran does not stand alone in its interpretation of these events. It is backed by two permanent members of the UN Security Council: Russia and China. The three nations submitted a joint letter to the UN asserting that all provisions of Resolution 2231 were legally terminated. They declared this marks “the end of the Security Council’s consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue.”
The allies argued that the European trio—Britain, France, and Germany—acted “illegally and without standing.” Their reasoning is that countries which failed to meet their obligations under the JCPOA cannot now invoke its clauses. This solidifies a clear geopolitical divide, with a Russia-China-Iran bloc on one side, and the Western powers on the other, with no common ground on the path forward.
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What Happens Now Without Oversight?
With the termination of UN oversight, Iran now operates its nuclear programme without the final layer of international checks. While Tehran insists its ambitions remain entirely peaceful, the lack of transparency is a primary concern for the international community. Analysts caution that this new reality runs the risk of rekindling regional hostilities and may have worldwide repercussions. The world is now waiting to see how Iran would use its “nuclear rights” that it has regained and how the West will react in this unprecedented new phase.
