U.S. and Iran set for nuclear talks

President Donald Trump says that the United States will engage in “direct” negotiations with Iran in a last-ditch effort to rein in the country’s nuclear programme

 Donald Trump IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL TIMELINE Ali Khamenei

2015: Iran and six world powers agree Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – deal curbs Iran’s nuclear work in return for limited sanctions relief
 
2018: Trump withdraws from agreement and reimposes economic sanctions on Iran

2019: Iran begins curbing its compliance with JCPOA

2020: U.S. drone strike in Iraq kills Iran’s Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani (right). Iran says it will no longer abide by limits set by JCPOA

Jan 2021: Iran starts enriching uranium to 20% level, further exceeding JCPOA limit of 3.67%

Apr: Indirect talks begin between Iran and administration of U.S. President Joe Biden (left), aiming to restore nuclear deal


2022: Talks stall amid Tehran’s violent crackdown against nationwide unrest
 
Nov 2022: Iran begins enriching uranium to 60% – level just short of 90% required for weapons use

Oct 7, 2023: Iran-backed Hamas militants launch attack on U.S. ally Israel, prompting Israeli military campaign in Gaza
 
2024: Israeli strikes on Iran-linked targets in Syria and killing of Hezbollah chief
Hassan Nasrallah (right) trigger two Iranian attacks on Israel. U.S. helps shoot down Iranian missiles and drones
  
2025: Trump threatens to bomb Iran if it does not make nuclear deal with Washington. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says any U.S. attack would prompt “strong reciprocal blow”

Apr 8: Trump announces U.S. and Iran will hold direct talks on Apr 12. Iran says negotiations will be indirect, with Oman acting as intermediary



Sources: ICG, New York Times, Reuters Pictures: Getty Images, Wikimedia © GRAPHIC NEWS