Before diving deep into whether the Iran-US Nuclear Deal still exists, it is important to first understand what this deal was all about.
WHAT IS THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL?
The Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed in 2015. It was an agreement between Iran and a group of world powers; namely the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, and Germany. This deal was an international attempt to ensure that Iran’s growing Iran nuclear program would be controlled and used only for peaceful purposes, and not to build nuclear weapons which could cause distress to several other nations.
Why was such a deal needed?
It’s because of the devastating history the world has seen with nuclear weapons, not completely forgetting the most terrifying example being the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The destruction was unimaginable and still affects people till today. Children are still born with deformities in those regions, and diseases have been passed down through generations. This shows just how powerful and dangerous nuclear technology can be. Not just powerful, but hazardous as well.
So, basically when Iran started developing nuclear technology, it made some countries especially the US, become very concerned about it. Iran, on the other hand, asserted that it was only using nuclear power for peaceful purposes like for the generation of electricity only . But the trust wasn’t strong enough. That’s why in the year 2015, the deal was made to put strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activity, and in return the US and others would lift economic sanctions on Iran, which would potentially be beneficial in a number of ways.
Understanding, what the term Sanctions actually stands for : What Were They and Why Were They Important?
The term sanctions can be thought of as punishments or restrictions placed by one nation onto another, especially when a country is believed to be doing something harmful or against the international agreements or treaties. When you’re part of a global community, you cannot act completely on your own, you must follow certain rules for the safety of every individual nation.
In the case of Iran, the US imposed economic sanctions to pressure Iran into not making nuclear weapons. These included:
- Oil sanctions: Iran is a major oil producing country. Sanctions hindered the other countries from buying Iranian oil. This drastically affected their economy on s huge scale.
- Banking sanctions: Iran was cut off from global banking systems, thereby it couldn’t easily send or receive money internationally.
- Trade sanctions: Countries were discouraged or even threatened with punishment if they traded with Iran.
- Indirect effects: While food and medicine weren’t officially banned, sanctions made it hard to pay for them, indirectly leading to shortage of food production and suffering all throughout the country.
To explain this simply: Let’s imagine a mother who finds out that her child has stolen money. Instead of yelling or hitting, she decides not to give the child any pocket money for a month. The child learns a lesson in a non-violent way. That’s what these sanctions were; a diplomatic punishment which aimed at changing behaviour without direct conflict.
The Breakdown of the Iran-US Nuclear Deal: When Did It Become a ‘No Deal’?
Everything turned upside down in 2018. Under the presidency of Donald Trump, the US pulled out of the deal. Trump believed the deal was too weak and claimed Iran was still secretly developing nuclear weapons. He didn’t provide any strong public proof, but insisted that the agreement wasn’t in America’s best interest. As a result, he re-imposed the lifted sanctions.
Iran, feeling betrayed and disrespected, also began pulling away from the commitments it had made under the deal. They started enriching uranium at higher levels again, a key step towards potentially making nuclear weapons. Enriched uranium is critical in bomb-making, and Iran ramping up that process added to serious global concerns.
Though President Joe Biden tried to revive the deal, the efforts were complicated. Trust was broken, and both sides blamed each other. Iran wanted sanctions to be lifted first; the US wanted Iran to reduce nuclear activity first. Neither side was willing to move first.
Why the Deal Was Important?
The original deal had benefits for both sides:
Iran would get economic relief and a path towards a stable future.
The world would get peace and transparency, with international checks on Iran’s nuclear activities.
A dangerous conflict could be avoided, especially when the fear of World War III still lingers in the global mind.
But now that the deal is broken, there’s a ‘no-deal’ situation. And this is dangerous because without agreements and checks, mistrust grows, and the risk of war increases.
The contemporary Situation (As of 2025): A Tense and Unsettled Relationship between US and Iran
Today, Iran is in the middle of a severe economic crisis due to ongoing US sanctions. Their economy is suffering to a great extent . Poverty has increased, and this has naturally caused social unrest. As history shows, when people are poor and hopeless, society becomes more unstable.
Trump’s administration had once proposed a new deal where Iran could enrich uranium but only up to 3%, strictly for civilian purposes like electricity consumption. However, this came with certain tough new conditions which Iran has refused to follow. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected the offer, saying it went against Iran’s independence and the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which stood for national pride and resistance against foreign control.
On the other hand, the U.S. refused to allow any enrichment at all, showing just how far apart both countries are in their respective expectations.
A dark Shadow of Doubt: Secret Nuclear Activities and No Trust
To add more uncertainty, a confidential UN report (source not officially disclosed) suggested that Iran has been carrying out secret nuclear activities at three undeclared sites, without informing the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). This makes things more complicated.
The U.S. and international agencies have said that sanctions will only be lifted if Iran proves real commitment to the original deal’s terms, but so far, no such sign has come from Iran.
Conclusion: A Wait and Watch Situation
At this point, it’s clear: there is no active deal between the U.S. and Iran. And the possibility of a new one looks very slim. Both sides are standing firm. Iran wants the sanctions to be lifted first, while the U.S. wants proof that Iran is not building nuclear bombs.
From a geopolitical point of view, this situation is extremely delicate and dangerous. Iran, a nation facing poverty and unrest, is challenging a global superpower. And the world doesn’t know if Iran is really threatening or just trying to survive.
We don’t know what the U.S. is exactly aiming for either. Is it about security, or control, or influence in the Middle East? These are questions the world will continue asking.
What’s clear is that this kind of international tension needs careful handling. The world cannot afford another major war. Every country must think carefully, because one action taken today could affect the world for the next 100 or 200 years.
Article by Sruti Bhaumik