Iran Nuclear Talks

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A new round of talks on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers has begun in Vienna.

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Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015.
- JCPOA agreed to curb Iran’s nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions on the country.
But, following the unilateral withdrawal of the United States in 2018 under its former president and the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions, Tehran has backtracked on its obligations.
- USA’s current Stand:
  - It is ready to “re-engage in meaningful diplomacy” on the issue.
  - It intends to rejoin the deal but insists that Iran must return to full compliance with the agreement first.

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

In 2015, Iran agreed on a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with a group of world powers known as the P5+1 (the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany).
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aims to guarantee the civilian nature of Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for a gradual lifting of sanctions.
- Under it, Iran agreed to significantly cut its stores of key components for nuclear weapons like centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy water.
- Iran would only have enough enriched uranium to maintain its energy needs, without having the ability to build a nuclear bomb.
- It also agreed to dismantle much of its nuclear programme and open its facilities to more extensive international inspections in exchange for billions of dollars worth of sanctions relief.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) played an important role in enforcing the deal, keeping a check on Iran and inspections.

International Atomic Energy Agency

Popularly known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organisation, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
It was established on 29th July 1957 as an autonomous organisation, at the height of the Cold War (1945-1991) between the US and the Soviet Union.
- Post World War II (1945), the world got divided into two power blocs dominated by two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the US.
- The two superpowers were primarily engaged in an ideological war between the capitalistic ideals of the West versus the communist ideals of the East.
- It came to an end after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Though established independently of the UN through its own international treaty, the agency reports to both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
It works with the member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

Significance for India

Regional Connectivity:
- Removing sanctions will rekindle India’s interest in the Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports.
- India also has an interest in the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), which runs through Iran.
- It will improve connectivity with five Central Asian republics and will also get a boost.
Indian Ocean Security:
- This would assist India in neutralising China’s footprint in Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
- Also, will help counter China’s alleged String of Pearls Policy.
Energy Security:
- Due to the US’ Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), India has to bring down oil imports to zero.
- Re-establishment of links between the US and Iran will help India to procure cheap Iranian oil and aid in energy security.

Way ahead

This is unlikely to be a meeting that resolves the outstanding issues” but “it could create the breakthrough necessary to push the talks towards a finishing line rather than a collapse.
A restored deal could reduce the chances of another escalation and could further regional stability.
India needs to balance diplomatic relationships with all the stakeholders to further its own interests.

Uranium as a Fuel

Nuclear fuel is mined from naturally occurring uranium ore deposits and then isolated through chemical reactions and separation processes.
Natural uranium consists of two different isotopes:
- Nearly 99% U-238 and
- Only around 0.72% of U-235.
  - U-238 is not fissile, thus the concentration of U-235 must be increased before it can be effectively used as a nuclear fuel.
  - U-235 being a fissile material sustains a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor.
Uranium enrichment:
- It is a process that creates an effective nuclear fuel out of mined uranium by increasing the percentage of uranium-235.
- Enrichment process basically increases the proportion of U-235 through the process of isotope separation (U-238 is separated from U-235).
For nuclear Weapons:
- Highly Enriched Uranium or weapons-grade uranium
- For which enrichment is required up to 90% or more.
For Nuclear Reactor:
- Low Enriched Uranium or reactor-grade uranium
- Enrichment is required upto 3-4% only.

Source: TH

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