Iran Nuclear Agreement

The Iran nuclear agreement was a major victory for national and global security. Negotiated by the US and other world powers, the agreement stopped an Iranian bomb from being developed without starting a new war in the Middle East. Civil society played a critical role in this historic victory.

President Trump has violated the agreement, but the fight isn’t over. The landmark 2015 agreement remains fragile even though it’s working, keeping both US troops and the world safer. As former Secretary of State John Kerry warned, the re-imposition of sanctions could cause the landmark accord to unravel. In the face of these challenges, Ploughshares Fund and its grantees are working harder than ever to protect this important accord from those who seek to undermine it.

Latest News and Analysis on the Ongoing Struggle to Defend the Iran Nuclear Agreement

  • California Senator Takes a Stand for Political Solution in Iran

    Senator Dianne Feinstein, (D-CA) has come out in strong support of a political solution to the Iran crisis. She is cautiously optimistic that the next round of talks in Baghdad on May 23, "may lead to a breakthrough on Iran's nuclear program," she wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle April 30.

    May 2, 2012 - By Joe Cirincione

  • Five Principles for a Nuclear Deal with Iran

    Negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program will soon morph into technical discussions about levels of uranium enrichment, nuclear inspections protocol, and fuel swaps. As the negotiations proceed, policymakers – particularly in Washington – will grow increasingly nervous about the prospects for a nuclear deal.

    April 20, 2012 - By Joel Rubin

  • Finding New Options on Iran

    Last week, Ploughshares Fund grantee, the Stimson Center released a new report by co-founder and distinguished fellow Barry Blechman examining tensions between the U.S. and Russia over Iran's nuclear program and laying out options for resolution of the crisis. It's a practical, nonpartisan look at one of the most high-stakes political arguments in the news today. Ploughshares Fund gets the inside scoop from Blechman in a short interview below. 

    March 22, 2012 - By admin

  • Counting Down the Costs of War with Iran

    War is costly. If you have any doubts, take a look at our experience in Iraq and Afghanistan: over $1.3 trillion spent and more than 8,000 lives lost, for shaky security gains. And then there are the unintended consequences: loss of international credibility, regional instability, and more.

    Unfortunately, when it comes to the Iran debate, the potential consequences of war are often lost in the shuffle.

    March 15, 2012 - By Mary Kaszynski

  • Iran's Nuclear Announcement in Two Tweets

    Newspapers today are abuzz with a new announcement from Iran claiming advances in its nuclear program. Against the backdrop of continued talk of military strikes, what does this announcement mean? President Joe Cirincione explains in two tweets. 

    February 15, 2012 - By admin

  • Assessing Our National Security

    Sometimes, it’s important to look at the big picture to get some perspective. In 2008, there was no New START treaty with Russia, Osama bin Laden remained at large plotting terrorist attacks with Al Qaeda, and Libyans were still under the dictatorial rule of Muammar Gaddaffi.

    January 31, 2012 - By Megan Murphy

  • Negotiations Back in the Picture

    This weekend saw an encouraging resurgence of the word 'negotiations' in the conversation around Iran's nuclear program. After several weeks where talk of military conflict has dominated the discussion, it is a welcome change. 

    January 24, 2012 - By Margaret Swink

  • Time for Engagement with Iran

    On the surface, US-Iran relations are reaching a fevered pitch. The assassination of an Iranian scientist, possibly part of a covert campaign against Iran's nuclear program, is just the latest in a series of troubling developments. Iran has begun enriching uranium at its Fordo facility, expressed defiance of harsh economic sanctions from the West, and continues to threaten to close the Strait of Hormuz. In the US, loud calls for a military strike against Iran are increasing the tension.

    January 11, 2012 - By Mary Kaszynski

  • US v Iran: Whose Team Would You Join?

    Over the past week, there's been a lot of speculation over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Latin America. To help get some perspective on the debate, we asked international security expert and MIT professor Dr. Jim Walsh three questions on just what Iran might be up to. His answer? Not much. 

    January 10, 2012 - By admin

  • Top 10 nuclear weapons stories of 2011

    It's been a memorable year in nuclear policy. From Fukushima to Iran, the world was reminded just how dangerous nuclear technology can be. But hope continues to remain amidst the challenges. As the year draws to a close, here's a look back at some of the hottest nuclear stories of 2011.

    December 28, 2011 - By Margaret Swink