Biden, who takes office on January 20, has signalled Washington would rejoin the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that was aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran has retaliated to US sanctions by progressively abandoning limits on its nuclear activity laid down in the deal. Most recently Iran announced it planning to install advanced centrifuges at Iran's main nuclear enrichment plant in Natanz, a plan condemned by France, Germany and Britain -- collectively known as the "E3" -- as "deeply worrying." The assassination last month of prominent Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has heightened tensions in the region, with Iran blaming the killing on Israel. The end of IAEA inspections in Iran would probably mark a fatal blow to the accord's chances of survival.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 21, 2020 12:33 UTC