The Few Strengths and Many Weaknesses of the 2015 Iranian Nuclear Deal

The 2015 Iranian Nuclear Deal, signed in Vienna on July 14, 2015, and which committed Iran to a series of limitations in its nuclear program in exchange for reducing, and eventually eliminating the economic sanctions, has been controversial since its beginnings. On May 9, 2018, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement. The departure of the United States from the agreement did not destroy the deal, which continues to be supported by the other original signatories. This paper explains why and how Iran became almost a nuclear power and argues that the nuclear agreement has few strengths (reduces enrichment levels and inventories, reduces the number of centrifuges and their quality, and is better than going to war), but contains many weaknesses, such as a weak verification system, the sunset clauses, silence about LEU oxide 20% inventory, and inspections to non-nuclear military facilities; and no restrictions about Iranian expressed and tacit threats to its neighbors.