Tehran, October 18 (FazTimes Media): Iran has officially said that all the limits placed on its nuclear program through the 2015 nuclear deal are no longer in effect. Officials in Tehran say the news marks the "end" of a period characterized by international oversight and eased sanctions. The statement, released on Saturday, shows a new stage in Iran's complicated relationship with global powers, which could change the political situation in the Middle East.

A statement from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "All the terms and limits set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including those about Iran's nuclear work and related processes, are now considered over." Even with the deal no longer active, Iran remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful interactions, according to the statement.

A Deal That Took Ten Years to Make—and Then Came Apart

The signing of the JCPOA in July 2015 was an enormous accomplishment. The agreement, made between Iran and six major countries—the United States, China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany—was meant to stop Iran from making nuclear weapons in return for lifting strict international sanctions.

Resolution 2231, the United Nations Security Council, approved the deal and set a "Termination Day" ten years after its signing. That day has now come, but the hope for lasting peace and collaboration has mostly gone away.

As reported by BBC News, the agreement started falling apart in 2018 when former U.S. President Donald Trump took the United States out of the deal on his own. He accused Iran of secretly breaking the agreement, something Iran strongly denied. The U.S. then put back strict sanctions, hurting Iran's economy and leading Tehran to slowly stop following the deal's rules.

Diplomacy vs. Distrust

Since the U.S. left the deal, there have been many talks, especially in Vienna, to bring it back. But nothing has come of these talks. Iranian officials say Western countries are not being honest, while the U.S. and its friends say Iran is building too much enriched uranium.

In its most recent message, Iran said it is still willing to talk, but only if certain conditions are met. They want any new agreement to make sure that no future American government can just walk away from the deal again.

The Snapback Sanctions and Their Effects

The UK, France, and Germany used a "snapback" system in August to reinstate UN sanctions that the JCPOA had lifted. This move made “Termination Day” a day Iran wanted to celebrate as a diplomatic win but lost its meaning.

Kelsey Davenport, an expert at the Arms Control Association, told AFP that the end of the deal is “mostly symbolic,” because the sanctions were already back in place. She added, “The deal has been dead for years, and Snapback has made it completely disappear.”

Ali Vaez, who works at the International Crisis Group, said the end of the JCPOA is still causing problems for future diplomacy.

Tensions Are Growing

At the same time, Iran’s actions in the region have become more aggressive. The U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran earlier this year during a 12-day war. The U.S. and Israel targeted nuclear sites and military bases with these attacks. Local reports say over 1,000 people died, including many civilians.

As a result, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a law to stop all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This forced UN inspectors to leave the country, making many in the international community worried.

The IAEA later said it could no longer check Iran’s nuclear work, calling the situation “a serious concern.” Without direct checks, Western experts are worried that Iran might speed up its nuclear program without any limits.

World leaders are reacting carefully to Iran's new announcement. European officials are upset and are asking Iran to come back to talks. The U.S. hasn't made an official comment yet, but it still says that talking is the best way forward.

However, some diplomats say the Biden administration is having a challenging time balancing pressure from Israel and political issues back home before the upcoming elections. Israel has made it clear it won't let Iran get nuclear weapons, and this could lead to more military conflicts.

Reuters reports that Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the Europeans' call for talks showed they aren't trustworthy. He said, "There's no reason to speak with people who broke their promises."

Experts think Iran may be looking more to the east for new partnerships. BBC News notes that Iran's joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization earlier this year shows it's trying to build relationships in a world where Western sanctions aren't as powerful.

Iran continues to assert its desire for dialogue rather than confrontation, yet its actions reveal a different perspective. The Iranian government said it believes in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and working with other countries.

For the world, the big question is whether diplomacy can work in a situation full of distrust, broken promises, and conflicting interests.

As the 2015 nuclear deal fades into history, the future trajectory—whether conflict or agreement—will shape not only Iran's future but also the safety and stability of the entire region for an extended period.

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