Iran Declares Nuclear Deal Restrictions Terminated
Iran has officially declared it is no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme as the landmark 2015 agreement with world powers expired on October 18, 2025. While Tehran maintains its “commitment to diplomacy,” this move marks a significant escalation in the nuclear standoff.
Key Developments
- Iran terminates all nuclear programme restrictions as 2015 deal expires
- Tehran maintains “commitment to diplomacy” despite ending limitations
- UN sanctions reimposed in September rendered accord effectively moot
- Iran now enriches uranium to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels
The Expired Nuclear Agreement
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed by Iran, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. The deal lifted international sanctions against Iran in exchange for strict limitations on its nuclear activities, including capping uranium enrichment at 3.67%.
However, the agreement had been crumbling since 2018 when the United States unilaterally withdrew under President Donald Trump and reinstated sanctions. Iran subsequently began scaling back its commitments.
Current Nuclear Status
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is now the only non-nuclear weapons state enriching uranium to 60% purity. This level is close to the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons and far exceeds civilian energy needs.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated: “All of the provisions [of the deal], including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear programme and the related mechanisms are considered terminated.”
Diplomatic Fallout
Recent tensions have further complicated the situation. Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA in July following conflicts with Israel, citing the agency’s failure to condemn strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
At the initiative of France, Britain and Germany, widespread UN sanctions against Iran returned into force in late September for the first time in a decade. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared these sanctions “null and void” following the deal’s expiration.
Western powers continue to accuse Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its programme is solely for peaceful civilian purposes.
