Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and restrictive measures
Full Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and other relevant documents
- Joint statement by the EU High Representative and the Iranian Foreign Minister, and text of the JCPOA
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Annex I - nuclear related measures
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Annex II - sanctions related commitments
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Annex II attachments - listed persons and entities
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Annex III - civil nuclear cooperation
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Annex IV - joint commission
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Annex V - implementation plan
- Statement by President Donald Tusk on the agreement on Iran's nuclear programme
- Council conclusions on the agreement on Iran's nuclear programme, 20 July 2015
The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions will take place in accordance with the timeline and modalities specified in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Finalisation Day
The UN Security Council endorsed the JCPOA through Resolution 2231(2015) on 20 July 2015. On 31 July the Council of the EU adopted the legal acts translating the first of these provisions into EU law.
In particular, these acts established that sanctions no longer apply to the provision of material, equipment or assistance related to:
- the modifications of two cascades at the Fordow facility for stable isotope production
- the modernisation of the Arak reactor
- the export of Iran's enriched uranium in excess of 300 kilograms in return for natural uranium
They also provided for exemptions for activities and transfers necessary:
- to the implementation of certain nuclear related actions specified in the JCPOA
- to the preparation for the implementation of the JCPOA
- determined by the UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1737 (2006) to be consistent with the objectives of UNSCR 2231 (2015).
These exemptions need to be approved on a case-by-case basis.
- UN Security Council resolution 2231 (2015)
- Iran: EU starts implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
- Council decision 2015/1336 concerning restrictive measures against Iran, 31 July 2015
- Council regulation 2015/1327 concerning restrictive measures against Iran, 31 July 2015
Adoption Day
On 18 October, 90 days after UN Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), the JCPOA came into effect. JCPOA participants made the necessary arrangements and preparations for the implementation of their JCPOA commitments.
The EU adopted legal acts providing for the lifting of all nuclear-related economic and financial EU sanctions as specified in the JCPOA, taking effect as of Implementation Day, simultaneously with the IAEA-verified implementation by Iran of agreed nuclear-related measures.
- Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1861 of 18 October 2015 amending Regulation (EU) No 267/2012 concerning restrictive measures against Iran
- Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1862 of 18 October 2015 implementing Regulation (EU) No 267/2012 concerning restrictive measures against Iran
- Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1863 of 18 October 2015 amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran
- Council Declaration, 18 October 2015
Implementation Day
On 16 January 2016, once the International Atomic Energy Agency had verified the implementation by Iran of the nuclear-related measures, most EU and UN sanctions were lifted. The EU lifted all nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions. However, some restrictions remain in force, including restrictions on the transfer of proliferation sensitive goods, the arms and ballistic missiles embargoes and the restrictive measures against some of the listed persons and entities.
- Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/37 of 16 January 2016 concerning the date of application of Decision (CFSP) 2015/1863 amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Annex II Point 3 - Effects of the lifting of EU economic and financial sanctions
- Information note on the lifting of EU sanctions under the JCPOA
Transition Day
8 years after Adoption Day, or upon an IAEA report stating that the IAEA has reached the Broader Conclusion that all nuclear material in Iran remains in peaceful activities, whichever is earlier, the EU will lift the proliferation-related sanctions.
UN Security Council resolution Termination Day
10 years after Adoption Day, if the provisions of previous UN Security Council resolutions have not been reinstated, all remaining UN and EU measures will be terminated.