Key Documents on the Iran Deal

For those who want the key primary source materials on yesterday's Iran nuclear deal, here they are. The US Government issued a fact sheet on the parameters of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) yesterday, detailing the specific limits on Iran’s nuclear program the deal imposes. Iran will not lose control over all of its centrifuges, but the number in operation will decline by two-thirds, the statement reports. Terrorism, human rights, and ballistic missile-related sanctions will remain in place, while nuclear-related sanctions will be lifted if Iran abides by its commitments. The EU summary is far less detailed than the US fact sheet. It mentions the end to nuclear-related sanctions and certain restrictions on the use of Iran’s nuclear facilities, but it has no specific language on the permissible number of centrifuges. It says that centrifuge research and development will “be carried out on a scope and schedule that has been mutually agreed.” Fars News English reports that President Rouhani believes the deal maintains Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology and will remove sanctions making it difficult for Iran to interact with the world. President Rouhani’s announcement, in Farsi, can be found here. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the parties on the announcement, saying the deal would “respect Iran’s needs and rights while providing assurances to the international community.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized his cabinet’s opposition to the deal, asserting that the plan does not block Iran’s path to the bomb, but “paves Iran’s path to the bomb.”