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Iran nuclear crisis in 300 words Iran nuclear crisis in 300 words
(2 months later)
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. A landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers appears close to collapse, three years after it went into effect. Here's how it got to this point.
What does the deal do?What does the deal do?
Iran has always insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful.Iran has always insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful.
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. 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 from 2010.
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 2015, 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.
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.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?
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. President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in May 2018 and reinstated US sanctions. He wanted a new deal that would also curb Iran's ballistic missile programme and its involvement in regional conflicts.
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 refused and saw the value of its currency plummet and its inflation rate soar as the sanctions took effect.
When Mr Trump tightened the sanctions this May, Iran responded by suspending some commitments enshrined in the deal. When the sanctions were tightened this May, Iran stopped abiding by some commitments in the deal.
What has Iran done?What has Iran done?
On 1 July, Iranian media reported a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of enriched uranium had been exceeded. On 1 July, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Iran had exceeded the 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of enriched uranium.
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. Six days later, Iran began enriching uranium to 4.5% concentration so it could make fuel for its Bushehr power plant - beyond the 3.67% cap enshrined in the deal.
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. On 4 September, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would also lift "all limitations" imposed on its development of centrifuges used to enrich uranium.
Want to know more?Want to know more?