Trump: New Iran Deal Will Now Be 'Easy'

The original 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was struck between Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers (the U.S., U.K., France, China, Russia, and Germany). It lifted international sanctions on Iran in exchange for strict limits on its nuclear program, including capping uranium enrichment at 3.67% and reducing its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 97%. President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement in 2018, citing what he called "terrible flaws." Key objections included the deal's failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program and its "sunset provisions," which would have allowed certain restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities to expire over time. Following the U.S. withdrawal and the re-imposition of sanctions, Iran began to breach the JCPOA's terms. It has since increased its uranium enrichment to 60% purity, far beyond the 3.67% limit, and its enriched uranium stockpile is now estimated to be 30 times the level permitted under the original deal. As Supreme Leader since 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had the final say on all major state matters in Iran, including its nuclear policy and foreign affairs. He presided over the country during the negotiation of the JCPOA and its subsequent unraveling after the U.S. withdrawal. Talks between the Trump administration and Iran have occurred intermittently, with Oman acting as an intermediary. Sticking points have consistently been the extent of uranium enrichment allowed on Iranian soil and U.S. demands for the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear infrastructure. In the wake of Khamenei's death, an interim council is now governing Iran until a new Supreme Leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts. This council includes Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the head of the judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i.