Question Period Note: Iran and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

Canada supports the efforts of the US and the members of the JCPOA to restore Iran's commitments to the nuclear agreement.

• Canada seeks to preserve the JCPOA, which is the best way to restrict Iran's ability to attain a nuclear weapon, and essential for regional and global security.
• The JCPOA commits Iran to comprehensive monitoring and verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency - critical in the oversight of Iran's nuclear activities.
• Canada has been closely following the negotiations to restore the JCPOA and supports the efforts of the US, the UK, France and Germany, as they seek to conclude the agreement.
• Canada has urged Iran to reverse its decisions on suspending the Additional Protocol, on enrichment, on producing uranium metal, and to return to full compliance with the JCPOA.
• Canada has serious concerns about Iran's arms proliferation, and maintains robust sanctions and tight controls on exports that could assist the development of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

In 2015, Iran and permanent UN Security Council members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) plus Germany reached a historic nuclear deal (the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” or JCPOA). Under the agreement, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program to peaceful uses and permit enhanced International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections in exchange for relief from sanctions.

In 2018, as part of a “maximum pressure” strategy, the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA and applied wide-ranging sanctions on Iran, citing flaws in the existing agreement - namely that it failed to address Iran's ballistic missile program and destabilizing regional activity.

In response, Iran started reducing its commitments to the JCPOA. As of November 2021,
Iran has further enriched uranium up to 60% (which is closer to weapons-grade uranium), increased its online centrifuges, and suspended the Additional Protocol which limits the IAEA's ability to verify Iran's nuclear program.

Should Iran return to compliance under the JCPOA, President Biden has indicated interest in rejoining the agreement as a starting point for further negotiations with Iran (human rights, ballistic missiles and regional tensions).

In April 2021, the US and the JCPOA parties commenced negotiations to restore Iran's commitments to the agreement and for the US to implement sanctions relief. While negotiations had been adjourned since the Iranian presidential election in June 2021, Iran has now agreed to reengage in negotiations on November 29, 2021.

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