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Iran nuclear crisis: Six key points Iran nuclear crisis: Six key points
(about 2 months later)
Iran and six world powers have reached a framework agreement to curb the Iranian nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, a step towards a comprehensive accord that could end a 12-year stand-off. Years of tension over what to do about Iran's nuclear programme could be lifted if a deal is reached between six world powers and Iran - but failure to agree could see a 12-year stand-off deepen.
We're at a pivotal moment in one of the world's most serious crisesWe're at a pivotal moment in one of the world's most serious crises
The long-running dispute has heightened tensions between Iran and the West, but a comprehensive accord could bring down diplomatic barriers. The long-running dispute has widened divisions between Iran and the West, but a comprehensive accord could bring down diplomatic barriers.
The full details still have to be agreed before a 30 June deadline, but US President Barack Obama was quick to celebrate what he called "a historic understanding with Iran". The sides managed to reach a framework deal in April and have been trying to fill in the detail since then, but obstacles still need to be overcome and self-imposed deadlines have been missed.
The crisis could turn much worse, however, were the negotiations to collapse. There is no guarantee they will reach a full agreement, and the crisis could turn much worse if the negotiations collapse.
It's about fear and distrustIt's about fear and distrust
Years of distrust and suspicion have made the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme hard to solve, but negotiators set 31 March as a deadline to reach a framework deal. Although they missed the deadline, a tentative accord was struck soon after, on 2 April. Years of distrust and suspicion have made the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme hard to solve.
The so-called P5+1 group of powers - the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany - want to be satisfied that Iran won't have the capacity to make a bomb in under a year if it decided to - the so-called "break-out" time.The so-called P5+1 group of powers - the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany - want to be satisfied that Iran won't have the capacity to make a bomb in under a year if it decided to - the so-called "break-out" time.
Iran for its part says it does not want a nuclear bomb, but insists on exercising its right to run a peaceful nuclear industry. It also wants crippling international sanctions lifted quickly.Iran for its part says it does not want a nuclear bomb, but insists on exercising its right to run a peaceful nuclear industry. It also wants crippling international sanctions lifted quickly.
Many countries do not believe Iran's declared intentions, and there is fear of what Iran might do with a nuclear weapon, and of the prospect of a nuclear arms race in one of the world's most unstable regions.Many countries do not believe Iran's declared intentions, and there is fear of what Iran might do with a nuclear weapon, and of the prospect of a nuclear arms race in one of the world's most unstable regions.
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Lots of countries have nuclear weapons, but Iran's case is differentLots of countries have nuclear weapons, but Iran's case is different
It looks to some like Iran is being singled out - after all, many countries have nuclear programmes and at least eight possess nuclear weapons. The reason why such attention has been focused on Iran is because it hid a clandestine uranium enrichment programme for 18 years, in breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).It looks to some like Iran is being singled out - after all, many countries have nuclear programmes and at least eight possess nuclear weapons. The reason why such attention has been focused on Iran is because it hid a clandestine uranium enrichment programme for 18 years, in breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
As a result, the UN Security Council passed six resolutions requiring Iran to stop enriching uranium, a process which can ultimately produce the fissile material for a nuclear weapon. As a result, the UN Security Council passed six resolutions requiring Iran to stop enriching uranium, a process that can ultimately produce the fissile material for a nuclear weapon.
Iran agreed to suspend parts of its nuclear programme under a temporary agreement in 2013 in return for some sanctions relief, but this was a stop-gap deal, not an end to the crisis.Iran agreed to suspend parts of its nuclear programme under a temporary agreement in 2013 in return for some sanctions relief, but this was a stop-gap deal, not an end to the crisis.
What also worries the international community are unanswered questions surrounding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme.What also worries the international community are unanswered questions surrounding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme.
A 2007 US intelligence report said Iran had a nuclear weapons programme but "halted" this in 2003.A 2007 US intelligence report said Iran had a nuclear weapons programme but "halted" this in 2003.
The global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been investigating this in parallel to the main nuclear talks, but says Iran has not provided enough information about its past activities. These include possible nuclear-related tests at a secret military site, where Iran has barred IAEA inspectors.The global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been investigating this in parallel to the main nuclear talks, but says Iran has not provided enough information about its past activities. These include possible nuclear-related tests at a secret military site, where Iran has barred IAEA inspectors.
Iran says the international community is displaying double standards by not doing anything about its arch-foe Israel, which is widely believed to have a nuclear arsenal - though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this. Israel however, like nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, is not a signatory to the NPT.Iran says the international community is displaying double standards by not doing anything about its arch-foe Israel, which is widely believed to have a nuclear arsenal - though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this. Israel however, like nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, is not a signatory to the NPT.
Mapping Iran's key nuclear sitesMapping Iran's key nuclear sites
Iran has been severely hit by sanctionsIran has been severely hit by sanctions
Since Iran's undisclosed nuclear activities came to light, it has been hit by a raft of sanctions - by the UN, EU, US and other countries.Since Iran's undisclosed nuclear activities came to light, it has been hit by a raft of sanctions - by the UN, EU, US and other countries.
These include a ban on the supply of heavy weaponry and nuclear-related technology to Iran, a block on arms exports, asset-freezes, travel bans, bans on trade in precious metals, and bans on crude oil exports and banking transactions, among others. These include a ban on the supply of heavy weaponry and nuclear-related technology to Iran, a block on arms exports, asset freezes, travel bans, bans on trade in precious metals, and bans on crude oil exports and banking transactions, among others.
Under the 2013 interim deal, Iran got some sanctions relief in return for curbing its enrichment activities. Under a 2013 interim deal, Iran got some sanctions relief in return for curbing its enrichment activities.
The sanctions are believed to have contributed to a fall in the value of the Iranian riyal and to rising inflation, with the cost of basic foodstuffs and fuel soaring. This has hit ordinary Iranians, with some rare protests reported.The sanctions are believed to have contributed to a fall in the value of the Iranian riyal and to rising inflation, with the cost of basic foodstuffs and fuel soaring. This has hit ordinary Iranians, with some rare protests reported.
According to the framework agreement, sanctions will be gradually phased out as the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirms Iranian compliance. According to the framework agreement, sanctions will be gradually phased out as the IAEA confirms Iranian compliance.
What are the sanctions on Iran?What are the sanctions on Iran?
How ordinary Iranians see the nuclear talksHow ordinary Iranians see the nuclear talks
Some countries are unhappy about the framework deal Some countries are unhappy about any deal
The prospect of a deal which leaves Iran with any capacity whatsoever to build a bomb has alarmed Israel and Iran's neighbours in the Gulf.The prospect of a deal which leaves Iran with any capacity whatsoever to build a bomb has alarmed Israel and Iran's neighbours in the Gulf.
Iran believes Israel should not exist. Israel sees a nuclear Iran as a major threat to it and the wider world.Iran believes Israel should not exist. Israel sees a nuclear Iran as a major threat to it and the wider world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the framework deal poses a grave danger to the region. On 2 April, he asserted: "Israel will not accept an agreement which allows a country that vows to annihilate us to develop nuclear weapons." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned a "bad" deal poses a grave danger to the region.
"The deal being formulated will pave Iran's path to the production of very many atomic bombs," he said.
He has warned that Israel will do everything necessary to thwart the prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons.
Saudi Arabia, the Sunni-ruled regional rival to Shia Iran, also fears a compromise deal will not stop Iran eventually getting a nuclear bomb. Saudi Arabia also worries that an end to sanctions will embolden and strengthen Iran economically and militarily.Saudi Arabia, the Sunni-ruled regional rival to Shia Iran, also fears a compromise deal will not stop Iran eventually getting a nuclear bomb. Saudi Arabia also worries that an end to sanctions will embolden and strengthen Iran economically and militarily.
Both Israel and Saudi Arabia, the US' key allies in the region, feel Washington is putting a deal with Iran before their security needs. Both Israel and Saudi Arabia, key US allies in the region, feel Washington is putting a deal with Iran before their security needs.
This is not the end of itThis is not the end of it
The framework deal does not mean the crisis is over by a long shot. The P5+1 and Iran must now agree on all technical details by the end of June. If a final deal is agreed, it still does not mean the crisis is over.
While a deal might defuse the stand-off between Iran and world powers, Israel has warned it could fuel a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Under this scenario, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia could seek to equip themselves with nuclear weapons before Iran gets a chance to. While an agreement might defuse the stand-off between Iran and world powers, Israel and Saudi Arabia have warned it could fuel a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Under this scenario, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia could seek to equip themselves with nuclear weapons before Iran gets a chance to.
There are also strong opponents to a deal in both Iran and the US. In Iran, hardliners have expressed disappointment, while in Washington members of Congress have threatened to impose fresh sanctions on Iran. There are also strong opponents to a deal in both Iran and the US. In Iran, hardliners have expressed disappointment, while in Washington members of Congress, where scepticism is strong, will have to approve a deal before sanctions can be lifted.
President Obama himself has said he will support fresh sanctions against Iran if it does not uphold any agreement.President Obama himself has said he will support fresh sanctions against Iran if it does not uphold any agreement.
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