Background

• The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, was reached between Iran and six world powers known as the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) in July 2015.

What did Iran have to do to meet the requirements of the deal?

• According to this framework, Iran would redesign, convert, and reduce its nuclear facilities in order to lift all nuclear-related economic sanctions.
• The deal also allowed for the tracking of nuclear activities with robust transparency and inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

U.S. withdrawal from JCPOA

• Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, claiming it did not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme or its roles in Middle Eastern conflicts. 
• He also re-imposed tough economic sanctions against Iran.
• Reacting to the US’ withdrawal, Iran announced that it will breach its limits set on its nuclear activity by the 2015 deal.

Why in News?

• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that if Iran were to become compliant with the terms of the now defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the U.S. would re-enter it too. 

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-will-join-nuclear-deal-if-iran-complies-with-provisions-blinken/article33681021.ece