The Iranian government says it is no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear program, as a landmark deal between Iran and world powers has expired. However, Tehran reaffirmed its "commitment to diplomacy."
The 2015 deal, signed in Vienna, Austria, by Iran, China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, resulted in the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
However, the pact has fallen apart after Washington unilaterally withdrew from it during President Donald Trump's first term, and Iran subsequently backtracked on its commitments.
The reimposition of UN sanctions last month at the urging of the three European signatories to the deal effectively rendered the agreement void.
From now on, "all provisions (of the deal), including restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and related mechanisms, are considered terminated," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the day the pact expired.
"Iran firmly declares its commitment to diplomacy," he added, as reported by the AFP news agency, Saturday (10/18/2025).
- Western countries have long accused Iran of secretly seeking to develop nuclear weapons. This has been repeatedly denied by Iran, which insists its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production.
- The deal's "expiration date" is set for October 18, 2025, exactly 10 years after it was enshrined in UN Security Council resolution 2231.
The deal capped Iran's uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent in exchange for sanctions relief and strict oversight of its nuclear activities by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
However, Washington abandoned the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Tehran subsequently began to intensify its nuclear program.
According to the IAEA, Iran is the only country without a nuclear weapons program that enriches uranium to 60 percent. This level is close to the 90 percent threshold needed for a bomb, and far above the level required for civilian nuclear use.
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