Overview of Iran's Nuclear Agreement

The Associated Press has reported on the status of Iran's nuclear program based on the nuclear agreement with six world powers: Donald Trump is set to announce his decision on whether the U.S. will withdraw from or remain in the JCPOA at 2 PM on Tuesday, Washington time. Under the 2015 nuclear agreement between six world powers and Iran, the country agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. European countries and other supporters of this agreement claim it prevents Iran from quickly acquiring nuclear weapons. However, critics of the agreement, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, argue that it has not sufficiently pressured Iran, and after the designated timeline ends, Iran could resume activities aimed at obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran has denied any efforts to produce nuclear weapons and has committed under this agreement not to do so. Trump has repeatedly criticized this agreement and threatened to withdraw from it. It is unclear how Iran would react to such a decision, but experts suggest it is unlikely that the country would quickly resume nuclear activities prior to 2015. The status of Iran's nuclear programs under this agreement is as follows: Uranium: Iran is only allowed to stockpile 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, whereas before signing the nuclear agreement, it had about 100,000 kilograms of high-enriched uranium. Iran can only produce uranium up to 3.67% enrichment, which can be used as fuel for power plants. This level of enrichment is significantly lower than the 90% enrichment used for nuclear weapons. Centrifuges: Iran previously had about 20,000 centrifuges, but now it cannot maintain more than 6,104 old-model centrifuges in two facilities that are subject to inspections. A centrifuge is a device that spins rapidly and is used for uranium enrichment. Other nuclear facilities: Iran has altered the operation of a heavy water facility so that it can no longer produce plutonium. It has agreed to convert the Fordow enrichment facility, which is built underground, into a research facility. Inspections: The International Atomic Energy Agency can inspect any of Iran's nuclear facilities at any time it wishes. It can also request inspections of any other facilities that appear suspicious. Iran will have 24 days to respond to this request. If Iran refuses to allow inspections by the agency, an arbitration panel will review the inspection request, and if necessary, international sanctions against Iran will be immediately resumed. Timeline: Fifteen years after signing this agreement, the restrictions on Iran's uranium enrichment and the amount it can produce and store will be lifted. Missile programs: Iran's ballistic missile programs are not part of the nuclear agreement, and this is one of the reasons critics of the agreement have raised concerns.