JCPOA and Challenges for Non-Proliferation Regime

Abstract

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement is a landmark accord that has deep implications for regional security and the global Non-Proliferation Regime. The revival of this agreement is a cumbersome challenge for the Biden administration, as the Trump withdrawal from this deal in 2018 caused a significant setback to its efficiency in blocking Iran’s path to building nuclear weapons. With the JCPOA no longer effective to restrict Iran’s nuclear ambitions, there is an urgent threat that the Middle East would be plunged into a nuclear arms race and strategic vulnerability. The Non-Proliferation Regime is facing a number of challenges which include a revival of the JCPOA nuclear deal, power imbalances, security dilemma, polarization among regional countries, continuing proliferation activities, regional security concerns, and domestic political pressures. The recent outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war has intensified Iranian insecurities in forgoing their nuclear program, as Iran feels threatened by its regional adversaries; Israel and Saudi Arabia. Iranian hardliners in empowered positions are steering Iran further away from the JCPOA owing to the security dilemma. A sustainable and comprehensive nuclear deal must be reached with Iran to avoid a nuclear arms race and further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. This article aims to explore a) how the deal shall impact domestic and global security in terms of the Non-Proliferation Regime and, b) how the JCPOA is a decisive agreement for the fate of the Non-Proliferation regime.