Iran Declares End To Restrictions On Nuclear Programme As 10-Year Agreement Expires

Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 17:12 IST

Despite the move, the Iranian government reiterated that it remains committed to pursuing diplomacy

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Iran announced that it is no longer bound by the restrictions of its nuclear program, marking the formal expiration of a landmark 10-year agreement between Tehran and world powers.

Despite the move, the Iranian government reiterated that it remains committed to pursuing diplomacy.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that following the deal’s expiration, “All provisions of the 2015 nuclear agreement, including limitations on Iran’s nuclear programme and related mechanisms, are now considered terminated."

The ministry added that Iran “firmly expresses its commitment to diplomacy," signalling its intention to keep open diplomatic channels despite the agreement’s collapse.

End Of JCPOA Era

The expiration, referred to as “Termination Day", fell exactly ten years after the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), came into effect.

Under the 2015 accord, Iran, along with China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, agreed to curb Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions.

However, the deal began to unravel in 2018, when US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the agreement and reinstated sweeping sanctions.

In response, Iran gradually expanded its nuclear activities beyond the agreed limits.

Efforts to revive the JCPOA have repeatedly stalled.

In August, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany activated the “snapback" mechanism, restoring UN sanctions on Iran, a move that experts say has rendered “Termination Day" largely symbolic.

“Termination Day is relatively meaningless due to the snapback," said Kelsey Davenport, Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association.

Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the Crisis Group, told AFP the nuclear deal had been “lifeless" for years, and the snapback “officially buried" it, adding that its “sorry fate continues to cast a shadow over the future."

Western nations and Israel have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons — allegations Tehran has consistently denied.

Neither US intelligence agencies nor the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have found evidence this year that Iran is pursuing atomic weapons.

“Iran remains sceptical of the utility of engaging with the US given its experience under President Trump, while Washington still seeks a maximalist deal," Vaez said.

Tensions escalated sharply during a 12-day conflict in June, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran that targeted nuclear facilities and caused significant civilian casualties.

More than 1,000 people, including hundreds of civilians, were killed, and the attacks caused billions of dollars in damage, according to Iranian authorities.

In retaliation, President Masoud Pezeshkian signed legislation in July suspending all cooperation with the IAEA, accusing the UN agency of “double standards" and failing to condemn the strikes.

As a result, IAEA inspectors were forced to leave Iran.

The agency has since warned that its inability to monitor Iran’s nuclear stockpile is “a matter of serious concern."

Despite the collapse of the JCPOA framework, the UK, France, and Germany announced last week that they intend to reopen talks aimed at achieving a “comprehensive, durable, and verifiable agreement."

However, Iranian officials have dismissed the prospect of immediate negotiations.

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