- The 2015 Nuclear Deal was a preliminary framework agreement signed between Iran and P5+1 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, China- plus Germany) and the European Union in July 2015.
- The deal is also called as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) or Vienna agreement.
- The deal aims to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon in return for lifting international oil and financial sanctions.
- Under it, Iran has agreed to give up its most advanced centrifuges and use only its oldest models.
- But it still allows Iran to continue enrichment in lower quantities for civilian purposes such as power plants.
- As part of the deal Iran has agreed to reduce its stockpile of uranium by 98%.
- Under this deal, Iran could keep 300 kg enriched uranium for the next 15 years and it will get rid of extra uranium by shipping it to Russia.
- The deal also sets up a comprehensive inspections regime that gives inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) extraordinary and robust access to Iranian nuclear facilities.
- Under this deal, global economic sanctions imposed over Iran nuclear programme will be removed.
- However sanctions related to other aspects of Iran’s behaviour, such as ballistic-missile programme, human-rights issues, support of terrorism and its will not be affected.