Iranian nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), took place in 2015, restricted Iran from enriching uranium from a certain level, and allowed more strict inspections on its nuclear facilities, and in return, Iran got sanctions relief.1 In 2018, the Trump administration withdrew from the nuclear deal saying it did not contain Iran’s influence in the region and did not bring peace. 2
Now, the Biden administration has shown positive signs to re-negotiate with Iran for its return to the deal. Iran is now insisting to lift the sanctions first and the newly elected president of Iran has openly stated to take a hard stance on nuclear negotiations as compared to the previous presidents.3 Whereas, the US has signaled to impose more sanctions on Iran if negotiations fail. Six rounds of talks have taken place till now for the revival of the deal but still, there are no positive developments. 4
Iran’s supreme leader has criticized the US for abandoning the deal however is in favor of returning to the deal but with a harsh stance. The US has warned Iran to put more sanctions on Iranian oil sales to China if the deal is not revived.5 Former Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif presented a report in the Iranian parliament in which he mentioned multiple benefits Iran can gain in case the deal is renewed. 6
The newly elected Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi served as head of the Judiciary till he assumed the Presidential office. Ebrahim Raisi previously has criticized the JCPOA but lifting sanctions imposed in 2018 are important for Iran to curb the poor economic conditions. Also, President Ebrahim has promised the nation to provide employment, housing, etc., to the Iranian people. To lift its economy, Iran would have to return to the deal but the negotiations for its revival may become challenging.
In a nutshell, the change of government in Iran is the main reason for the delay in nuclear talks between the US and Iran for the revival of the nuclear deal. The US is willing to return to the nuclear deal while the delay in negotiations is coming from the hardline Iranian government.
1 Kali Robinson,” What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?,” Council on Foreign Relations, August 18, 2021,
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-iran-nuclear-deal
2 Mark Landler,” Trump Withdraws U.S. From ‘One-Sided’ Iran Nuclear Deal,” New York Times, May 18, 2018,
3 Ali Harb,” Iran nuclear deal: What’s next for the JCPOA?,” Al Jazeera, September 03, 2021,
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/3/iran-nuclear-deal-whats-next-for-the-jcpoa
4 Ibid.
5 “US considering new sanctions on Iranian oil sales to China: WSJ,” Al Jazeera, July 12, 2021,https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/19/us-considering-new-sanctions-on-iranian-oil-sales-to-china-wsj
6 Mark Fitzpatrick,” Will Raisi follow Zarif’s path for reviving Iran nuclear deal?,” Al-Monitor, July 20, 2021,
