Timeline of the Iran nuclear deal
A history of the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was negotiated and entered into by Iran, the United States, France, Britain, Germany, China and Russia in July 2015.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, in Vienna, Austria on Jan. 16, 2016. Credit: AP
President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum Tuesday withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. The deal was negotiated and entered into in July 2015 with the aim of reducing Iran’s ability to develop a mass nuclear weapons program.
Here’s a look at the history of the agreement.
July 14, 2015
Iran, the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Russia and China — after 17 days of negotiations in Vienna — agree to the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.” Under the JCPOA, commonly referred to as the Iran deal, Iran agrees to reduce its nuclear facilities; in return, the other nations agree to lift economic sanctions.
March 21, 2016
Russia has more warheads than ever, N Korea is testing nukes, and Iran got a sweetheart deal to keep theirs. Thanks, @HillaryClinton.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2016
Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, in a speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, says his “number one priority” is to “dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran.” On the campaign trail, Trump frequently criticizes the agreement as “weak,” and the “worst deal ever.”
Jan. 28, 2017
Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile.Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2017
Days after Trump is sworn into office, Iran tests a medium-range ballistic missile. The administration responds by stating that Iran has been put “on notice,” and will be held accountable for its actions.
July 10
At the G-20 summit, Trump urges foreign leaders not to do business with Iran, according to White House officials. Iran takes issue with the move, saying it violates the United States’ end of “the bargain.”
July 18
A day after renewing the United States’ role in the agreement, the administration unveils a series of non-nuclear related sanctions against Iran, arguing that Iran’s actions “undermine regional stability.”
Jan. 12, 2018
Trump says he will withdraw unless flaws in the deal are reworked. He says his administration is in talks with European allies on a revised deal that would impose sanctions if Iran tests long-range missiles.
April 24-27
French President Emmanuel Macron, pictured above, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in back-to-back visits to the White House, urge Trump to remain in the deal or risk destabilizing the multinational accord.
April 30
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a dramatic televised presentation accusing Iran of lying about its nuclear weapons capabilities and urging the United States to withdraw from the deal. Trump, asked about the speech, says it “showed that I’ve been 100 percent right.”
May 8
Trump announces that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and reimpose economic sanctions.