revistaieee7

Journal of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies Núm. 7 / 2016
adopted the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) over the long term- and was
endorsed by the Security Council in its Resolution 2231 (2015), of 20 July. 78
The JCPOA sets out restrictions to and international supervision of the Iranian
nuclear programme, in exchange for the gradual lifting of sanctions against the country.
With its five annexes, this agreement represents the culmination of a negotiation
process that lasted almost twelve years.
On the one hand, this agreement aims to guarantee that Iran’s nuclear programme
is for exclusively peaceful purposes, as this state reaffirms that it will never procure,
develop or acquire nuclear weapons. Yet, at the same time, Iran hopes to be allowed to
complete a peaceful, domestic nuclear programme, which complies with the JCPOA
and with economic and scientific considerations, and which would serve to boost confidence
and foster international cooperation. The intention is that all activities under
the Iranian nuclear programme be amalgamated into one commercial programme
with purely peaceful purposes, which is to be compatible with international non-proliferation
standards. 79
The JCPOA provides for several gradual steps established by mutual accord, with
specific limits for the Iranian nuclear programme, including its uranium enrichment
activities and R&D. It also makes a variety of verification measures available in order
to guarantee the transparency of the process, such as the creation of a Joint Commission
comprised of the E3/EU+3 and Iran to oversee the implementation of the
agreement, 80 or the planned verification to be carried out by the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) of the application of voluntary measures relating to nuclear
energy set out in the JCPOA. 81 Moreover, it provides for the periodic convening (at
least every two years) of ministerial meetings between the parties with a view to assessing
the progress made and to adopt appropriate decisions by consensus. 82
Nonetheless, the agreement reached makes it clear that its provisions and measures
are only intended to be applied among the parties to the JCPOA, meaning that they
78 First operative point of the aforementioned Resolution 2231 (2015). In fact, on 14 July 2015, the
‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’ agreement (JCPOA) was signed between Iran and the states
making up the E3/EU+3 Group -China, the United States, Russia, Germany, France and the United
Kingdom, together with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy- (doc.S/2015/544). Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), of 20 July, sets out this
agreement in its Annex A. On the same date, the countries making up the aforementioned group and
the European Union also presented a declaration with a view to promoting transparency and creating
a climate conducive to full application of the JCPOA (doc.S/2015/545).
79 See section iv) of the general provisions of the JCPOA. In this regard, both parties (the E3/EU+3
and Iran) expressly recognise the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the nuclear
non-proliferation regime.
80 Point ix of the general provisions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
81 Section 15 of the general provisions of the JCPOA.
82 Points x and xvi of the general provisions of the PAIC.
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