Nuclear security

Analysis: A Year After the Iran Nuclear Deal

If measured only by the ton, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as “the Iran nuclear deal,” would be considered a smashing success.

In the past year Iran has shipped more than 9 tons of low-enriched uranium to Russia, leaving only 660 lbs. for research programs. Iran also reduced its inventory of centrifuges from 19,138 to 6,104. Finally, along with regular inspections and monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran’s single heavy-water reactor, at Arak, was dismantled and filled with concrete making plutonium production in Iran impossible. Experts note that the combined effect of those measures alone have increased Iran’s breakout time from 1–2 months a year ago, to more than a year. Despite those empirical facts the JCPOA remains a source of contentious political debate, and divisive public opinion, in the United States, Israel and Iran.