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Iran nuclear crisis in 300 words Iran nuclear crisis in 300 words
(21 days later)
A landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers appears close to collapse. Here's an overview of the tensions and mistrust. A landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers is facing one of its toughest tests since it came into effect in 2015. Here's how it got to this point.
What is the essence of the deal? What does the deal do?
Suspicions that Iran was using its nuclear energy programme as cover to develop a nuclear bomb prompted the UN, US and EU to impose sanctions with the aim of persuading the country to curb its sensitive nuclear activities. Iran has always insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Iran insisted its nuclear programme was peaceful, but in 2015 it reached a deal with six countries - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. But suspicions it was being used as a cover to develop a nuclear bomb prompted the UN Security Council, US and EU to impose crippling sanctions on the country from 2010.
It agreed to limit the enrichment of uranium, which is used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear weapons; redesign a heavy-water reactor being built, whose spent fuel would contain plutonium suitable for a bomb; and allow inspections by a global watchdog. Four years ago, Iran reached a deal with six powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - that saw it limit its nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.
In return, relevant sanctions were lifted, allowing Iran to resume oil exports - the government's main source of revenue. The deal restricted Iran's enrichment of uranium, which is used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear weapons. It was also required to redesign a heavy-water reactor being built, whose spent fuel would contain plutonium suitable for a bomb, and allow international inspections.
What prompted the latest crisis?What prompted the latest crisis?
The administration of US President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in May 2018 and began reinstating sanctions. In November, those targeting Iran's oil and financial sectors took effect. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated US sanctions. He said he wanted a new deal that would also curb Iran's ballistic missile programme and its involvement in regional conflicts.
They have triggered an economic meltdown in Iran and soaring inflation. Iran refused and saw the value of its currency plummet and its inflation rate soar as the sanctions targeting its oil and financial sectors took effect.
Iran has now responded by scaling back its commitments under the deal. When Mr Trump tightened the sanctions this May, Iran responded by suspended some commitments enshrined in the deal.
It suspended obligatory sales overseas of surplus enriched uranium and heavy water. What has Iran done?
It also gave the five countries still party to the deal 60 days to protect Iranian oil sales from US sanctions. Otherwise Iran will suspend its restrictions on uranium enrichment and halt the redesign of its heavy-water reactor. On 1 July, Iranian media reported a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of enriched uranium had been exceeded.
Global nuclear watchdog the IAEA says Iran has already increased production of enriched uranium - but it is not known by how much. Iran has also given European powers until 7 July to shield its economy from the sanctions' effects. If they fail, it may abandon other restrictions and halt the redesign of its heavy-water reactor.
What does the US want? The Europeans have warned there will be consequences if any breach of the deal is confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. They would be able to quickly "snap back" UN and multilateral sanctions.
Mr Trump says he wants to renegotiate the deal and broaden it to curb Iran's ballistic missile programme and its involvement in conflicts around the Middle East.
Iran is adamant that the deal cannot be renegotiated.
Want to know more?Want to know more?