popular articles

Iran Nuclear: Joe Biden at the Relaunch

The Iran nuclear deal, under strain since the US withdrawal in 2018, is raising hopes of appeasement under the incoming Biden administration.
Nucléaire Iranien: Joe Biden

Please share:

The Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was signed in 2015 by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, China, Russia, the European Union and Iran. The aim of the text was to control Iran’s nuclear program and lift economic sanctions against the country.

Calling the agreement a lie, Donald Trump’s administration decided to tighten economic sanctions against Tehran and exit the nuclear deal on May 8, 2018. In response, Iran has gradually broken away from the rules imposed by this agreement. A situation of high tension that could perhaps evolve under new President Joe Biden.

A US return to the Iran nuclear deal

Joe Biden told the New York Times that he would like to return to the Iran nuclear deal signed by Barack Obama and lift economic sanctions. However, the return of the United States is conditional on Iran’s strict compliance with the rules of the agreement.

Iran possessed more than 12 times the amount of enriched uranium authorized by the agreement

In particular, Iran has breached the 3.6% ceiling on uranium enrichment, reaching 4.5% according to BBC. The International Atomic Energy Agency has pointed out that Iran possesses more than 12 times the amount of enriched uranium authorized by the agreement. A development that could lead to the creation of a nuclear bomb, even though Iran has always stressed that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.

For the future president of the United States, this agreement is the best way to avoid an arms race in the Middle East and guarantee stability in the region.

The latter declared:

“The last thing we need in this part of the world is an increase in nuclear capacity.”

 

Tehran may finally be ready to respect the agreement

According to BBC News, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Aljazeera that the country would meet its commitments under the 2015 agreement if Joe Biden lifted all sanctions.

Iran demands guarantees

Moreover, Teheran has enjoined the incoming Biden administration to prove to them that once they join the agreement, they will not leave it like their predecessors. Both parties seem to want the other to readopt the terms of the agreement first.

However, the Iranian government has rejected any negotiations on extending certain clauses that expire in 2025. Joe Biden had floated the idea of extending by 15 years the clause that prevents Iran from producing uranium at the level needed for a nuclear weapon.

Iranian government refuses UN supervision

On December 2, the Iranian parliament passed a bill that would prevent UN inspections of its nuclear sites. It also demands that the government resume uranium enrichment at 20%, well above the 3.67% agreed under the deal. A law that is not supported by President Hassan Rouhani, and which could be repealed if the US lifts sanctions, according to Javad Zarif.

The latter told The Guardian:

“The Joint Program of Action and any international agreement is not a revolving door. It’s not that you can come in, impose restrictions on others, enjoy the privileges of membership and suddenly decide to leave and inflict $150 billion [110 milliards de livres] in damage on the Iranian people.”

 

Heightened tensions as Donald Trump’s term draws to a close

Donald Trump’s administration plans to step up sanctions against Tehran for his last few in office. According to Elliott Abrams, US special envoy for Iran, this decision has heightened tensions between the two countries and raised hopes of appeasement in Joe Biden.

The latter declared for Reuter:

“We’ll have next week, and the week after, and the week after that – throughout December and January, there will be sanctions that deal with weapons, weapons of mass destruction, human rights. … So this will continue for another two months, until the end.”

The United States is ready to add new sanctions

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea, added that the US could impose new sanctions. Notably against Lebanese personalities for corruption and aiding the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. These relations were further complicated by the November 27 assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a senior scientist in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. An act perpetrated, for Teheran, by Israel and Washington.

US President Donald Trump’s latest actions could therefore make dialogue between Joe Biden and Tehran even more difficult.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

During President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to China, six agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Chinese partners to develop green energy projects, including solar power plants, an offshore wind farm, and energy storage systems.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
As nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States continue, European countries find themselves sidelined, despite their central role in the 2015 agreement.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
The Kremlin has confirmed its willingness to actively support a diplomatic resolution on Iran’s nuclear file, ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for this Saturday.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
As Russia ratifies a 20-year civil nuclear agreement with Iran, the United States reopens indirect talks in Oman. Tehran demands the lifting of sanctions, while 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60% raises concerns.
As Russia ratifies a 20-year civil nuclear agreement with Iran, the United States reopens indirect talks in Oman. Tehran demands the lifting of sanctions, while 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60% raises concerns.
Russia’s State Duma officially approves a major energy partnership with Iran, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the oil, natural gas, and civil nuclear sectors, despite ongoing Western sanctions.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.
New Delhi signed new defence and energy agreements with Colombo, consolidating its strategic influence on the island as China continues expanding its investments.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is in Baku to reaffirm energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, focusing on the expansion of the gas corridor and regional green energy projects.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is in Baku to reaffirm energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, focusing on the expansion of the gas corridor and regional green energy projects.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock ruled out any possibility of reactivating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, shut down since 2022, despite discussions mentioned by Russia and growing pressure on energy supply.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock ruled out any possibility of reactivating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, shut down since 2022, despite discussions mentioned by Russia and growing pressure on energy supply.
The United States has sanctioned a Chinese refinery processing Iranian crude, increasing pressure on Tehran and raising concerns over global oil market stability.
The United States has sanctioned a Chinese refinery processing Iranian crude, increasing pressure on Tehran and raising concerns over global oil market stability.
The Algerian energy group Sonelgaz is offering its technical expertise to Burkina Faso to strengthen its electrical infrastructure, illustrating Algeria's strategic intention to consolidate its presence in sub-Saharan Africa’s energy markets.
Washington again delays the enforcement of sanctions against NIS, the Serbian energy company controlled by Gazprom, extending the status quo until the end of April according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Washington again delays the enforcement of sanctions against NIS, the Serbian energy company controlled by Gazprom, extending the status quo until the end of April according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
The United States has strengthened its support for Guyana amid Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo, warning Caracas of a military response in case of aggression targeting the territory or American oil interests.
The United States has strengthened its support for Guyana amid Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo, warning Caracas of a military response in case of aggression targeting the territory or American oil interests.
No attacks on energy installations have been reported since a partial agreement announced by the United States, marking a pause in hostilities targeting critical infrastructure.
No attacks on energy installations have been reported since a partial agreement announced by the United States, marking a pause in hostilities targeting critical infrastructure.

Advertising