Iran announced on Saturday that it is no longer bound by the restrictions imposed on its nuclear programme following the expiration of a landmark 10-year agreement with world powers.The 2015 nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), placed curbs on Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions.
The deal’s key provisions officially expired this week, prompting Iran to declare that it is now free from those obligations.Despite the expiration, Tehran maintained that it remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful engagement. In a statement, Iranian officials emphasized that the country’s nuclear activities would continue to be monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that Iran is still open to dialogue with the global community.
The development has raised fresh concerns among Western powers over the future of nuclear non-proliferation in the region, particularly as diplomatic efforts to revive the JCPOA have stalled in recent years.The United States withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, reimposing sanctions that crippled Iran’s economy and led Tehran to gradually roll back its commitments.With the expiration now official, analysts say Iran could further expand its nuclear capabilities unless renewed negotiations yield a new agreement.