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Nuclear Deal Hangs in Balance as Iran Intensifies Uranium Enrichment

Henry Ridgwell

   LONDON - The 2015 Iran nuclear deal was hailed by its signatories at
   the time as a triumph of global diplomacy. The elation was short-lived.

   Former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the
   agreement three years later and imposed crippling sanctions on Iran's
   economy. Tehran responded by increasing its nuclear enrichment
   activities, edging closer to the levels of purity required for atomic
   weapons.

   With a new administration in the White House, U.S. allies in Europe are
   hoping that the escalating crisis can be stopped in its tracks and that
   both sides can be tempted to return to the negotiating table.

   U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated his willingness to rejoin the
   nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),
   if Tehran halts uranium enrichment and returns to its obligations under
   the agreement.

   "President Biden has been very clear in saying that if Iran comes back
   into full compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA, the United
   States would do the same thing," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
   told reporters on January 27. "And then, we would use that as a
   platform to build with our allies and partners what we called a longer
   and stronger agreement and to deal with a number of other issues that
   are deeply problematic in the relationship with Iran."

   Blinken said that point remains a long way off.

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