Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action Agreed, But No Immediate Sanctions Relief

On 24 November 2013, the P5+1 countries (comprising the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France and Germany) together with Iran, agreed the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), which relaxed some of the sanctions imposed against Iran by the EU and U.S. The JPOA was intended to provide interim sanctions relief, while the parties worked towards a more comprehensive and long-term solution.

On 14 July 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was agreed.

The EU and U.S. have agreed to lift the majority of nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, provided Iran implements certain agreed measures in respect of its nuclear programme. If certain goals are reached, the UN arms embargo could be removed in five years, and the restrictions on ballistic missile technology could be lifted in eight years. The implementation of such measures by Iran must be verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).