Transformation of EU countries' approaches to the agreement on and implementation of the JCPOA on the Iranian nuclear program

The purpose of this article is an attempt to identify the dynamics of the EU’s activities on the implementation of the JCPOA on the Iranian nuclear program, its scope, and the key reasons for its transformation. The research is based on various sources: documents of international organizations, interstate treaties, internal documents of the EU, official statements, and statistical materials. After analyzing the EU policy on the JCPOA, the authors conclude that it can be figuratively divided into five main periods. Particularly, the first period (March 2003-2006) is characterized by the fundamental role of the EU-3 as the main and, up to a certain point, the only mediator in negotiations with Iran. The first negotiations and agreements relating to Iran's nuclear activities were initiated. In addition, the authors note that through such initiatives the EU pursued an alternative course - to tackle issues diplomatically, thus avoiding a possible military escalation of the confrontation. The second period (2006-July 2015) was marked by the transition to a multilateral format of negotiations: the permanent members of the UN Security Council joined the negotiations. The negotiations were accompanied by a parallel strengthening of sanctions, which should have accelerated the process of agreeing with Iran. The third period (July 2015 - May 2018) is associated with the signing of the JCPOA itself and the creation of organizational mechanisms for its implementation: the Iran Task Force in the EEAS and the Joint Commission to monitor the implementation of the nuclear deal, coordinated by the EU. The fourth period (May 2018 - January 2021) is characterized as a crisis due to the US withdrawal from the JCPOA. During this period the EU needed to confirm its commitment to the chosen foreign policy course -the further implementation of the JCPOA. The EU has launched the updated “Blocking Statute”, as well as the INSTEX financial instrument initiated by the EU3 (UK, France, Germany). Nevertheless, the initiatives were more declarative. Finally, the fifth period (2021 - present), which started with the President Biden coming to power, demonstrates the role of the EU as the key link among the parties to the JCPOA. As a result, the parties began the seventh round of negotiations in Vienna on the restoration of the JCPOA. Based on the results of the research, the authors summarize that, notwithstanding the existing disagreements among all parties of the JCPOA, the Iran nuclear deal keeps existing. The fundamental role of mediator and coordinator belongs to the EU. The continued commitment to compliance with the JCPOA and the outcome of the Vienna talks affect not only the future of the non-proliferation regime but also the EU's reputation as the “custodian of the JCPOA”. Contribution of the authors: the authors contributed equally to this article. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

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