Summary of Iran on a knife edge – as nuclear deal goes up in smoke

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), established in 2016 and commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal, is an agreement among Iran, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China. Under its terms, Iran pledges to limit its nuclear program and allows international monitors to verify that it is enriching uranium exclusively for civilian purposes. In return, the other signatories pledge to lift international sanctions on Iran, enabling the country to sell its crude oil on the international market, rejoin the international financial system and regain access to its foreign-exchange reserves abroad.