The Islamic Republic of Iran and the 5+1 group of countries - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany - together with EU foreign policy chief finally reached an agreement to end the unjust sanctions against Iran on Tuesday July 14, 2015 after 22 months of intensive talks. As a result of the agreement sealed within the Islamic Republic’ outlined framework and red lines, the following achievements have been obtained in the field of nuclear and sanctions removal.
- The world powers will recognize Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and respect the country’s nuclear rights within the boundaries of international treaties.
- Iran’s nuclear program that was unjustly introduced as a threat to global security will now be recognized as a field for international cooperation with other countries.
- Iran will be recognized by the UN as a country with nuclear technology and entitled to rights of peaceful nuclear program including enrichment and full fuel cycle.
- All economic and financial sanctions against Iran will be removed through a new Security Council resolution.
- With the new UNSC resolution under article 25, in addition to article 41 on provisions related to removal of past sanctions, the treatment of UN Security Council toward Iran will also undergo a fundamental change.
- All nuclear facilities in Iran will retain their activities. Contrary to the initial demands of the other side, none of the nuclear sites will be shut down.
- The policy to prevent Iran’s enrichment activities failed. Iran will continue nuclear enrichment.
- Iran’s nuclear infrastructure will be preserved. No centrifuge will be destroy and research and development on all advanced centrifuges including IR-4, IR-5, IR-6 and IR-8 will continue.
- Arak heavy water reactor will remain as such. Any demands to return the facility to a light water reactor have been dismissed. The facility will be modernized and enjoy new additions through cooperating with owners of most advanced and secure world technologies.
- Iran will enter global markets as a producer of nuclear products especially in the case of ‘enriched uranium’ and ‘heavy water’. All sanctions and limitations against imports and exports of nuclear material will be annulled.
- All economic and financial sanctions in the fields of banking, oil, gas, petrochemicals, insurance, and transportation as imposed by the EU and the US under the pretext of Iran’s nuclear program will be immediately lifted upon the implementation of the agreement.
- Ban on Iran’s missile activities including ballistic missiles will be limited to missiles designed for nuclear weapons, of which the Islamic Republic has never been and will be after.
- Iran’s arms embargo will be lifted, replaced with some restrictions to be removed in 5 years.
- Ban on purchasing sensitive dual-use items will be lifted and Iran’s needs will be met more easily through Iran and 5+1 joint commission.
- Ban on Iranian students studying in the fields related to nuclear energy will be fully lifted.
- For the very first time, after three decades of unjust sanctions, ban on the purchase of passenger aircrafts will be lifted and Iran will be provided with the opportunity to reconstruct the country’s air fleet and improve its flight security.
- Billions of Iran’s blocked revenues in foreign banks will be unfrozen
- A total of 800 individuals and legal entities, including the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), will be releaed from any sanctions.
- Iran’s access to trade, technology, financial and energy will be facilitated
- Ban or limitations on Iran’s economic cooperation in all fields including investment in oil, gas and petrochemical industries will be removed.
- and finally, Iran will be offered international cooperation for building nuclear power plants and research reactors.
The agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will, according to Iranian officials, be presented to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which will adopt a resolution within seven to 10 days making the JCPOA an official international document.