Iran-UN nuclear monitoring deal ends today

An agreement monitoring Iranian nuclear facilities between Tehran and the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ends today.

In February, Iran limited IAEA access to nuclear facilities, building pressure for the US to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after leaving in 2018. Soon after, Tehran reached a deal allowing the IAEA to monitor nuclear enrichment facilities through surveillance footage and verify uranium enrichment percentages. Iran, though, has threatened to destroy the footage after today if US sanctions are not lifted.

While some progress has been made in reinstating the JCPOA, talks have stalled in recent weeks over term disagreements. At issue, Washington wants agreements limiting missile technology, nuclear fuel production, and Tehran’s support for terror groups, which Tehran does not support. If a deal is not reached soon, hardliners will likely win Iranian elections next month, preventing further talks.

Iran will likely expand their deal with the IAEA to move talks forward. Short-term, an agreement will likely be reached restoring the JCPOA and lifting some sanctions on Iranian banks and oil companies. Iranian moderates need a deal to have any hope of election victory. The US, meanwhile, needs them to retain power to advance future agreements.