On 20 July 2015, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231(2015) regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), agreed by Iran and the E3/EU+3. This resolution endorses the JCPOA, allowed for certain exemptions to existing restrictive measures and defines the schedule and commitments to be undertaken by all parties to lead to the termination of restrictive measures against Iran.

Following legislative reviews of the JCPOA in the US and Iran, Adoption Day was declared on 18 October 2015 which set in motion the implementation of the provisions of the JCPOA. On Adoption Day the EU adopted the legislative framework to lift all of its nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions.

The next milestone, Implementation Day was reached on 16 January 2016 after the IAEA verified that Iran had fulfilled its commitments. On Implementation Day the EU legislative framework providing for the lifting of economic and financial nuclear-related sanctions entered into effect. UN financial nuclear-related sanctions and US secondary nuclear-related sanctions were also lifted. A comprehensive Information Note on the lifting of sanctions providing clarity to EU business operators on the new regulatory environment was issued on the same day.

The next stage of the JCPOA is  for the EU was supposed to be on Transition Day, eight years after Adoption Day (i.e. in 2023).

Transition Day should have triggered the lifting of the remaining EU nuclear-related sanctions, ballistic missile restrictions, and related designations.

However, in view of Iran not fulfilling its commitments under the JCPoA as reported by the IAEA since 2019, the Council considered that the Union had valid grounds for maintaining all these restrictive measures. For more details, follow the link to the relevant press release about the EU Council's decision to 'maintain restrictive measures'.

The Council adopted legal acts to maintain the designations that had initially been imposed by the United Nations for individuals and entities involved in nuclear or ballistic missiles activities or affiliated to the IRGC.

The Council also decided to maintain sectoral and individual measures existing under the EU’s sanctions regime notably those related to Iran nuclear proliferation, as well as arms and missile embargoes.

This does not amount to the imposition of additional EU sanctions on Iran. Moreover, all EU sanctions that had been lifted under the JCPoA remain lifted.

The Council took these steps following the action by the Europeans participants of the JCPOA under the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in line with the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA. It takes into account Iran not fulfilling its commitments under the JCPoA as reported by the IAEA since 2019.

Finally, on Termination Day, which will occur 10 years after Adoption Day (i.e. in 2025), remaining EU measures will be terminated, the UNSC will conclude consideration of the Iran nuclear issue and UNSC resolution 2231 (2015) will be terminated.

Under the JCPOA, a Joint Commission was established consisting of all members of the E3/EU+3 and Iran. The EU High Representative/Vice President coordinates the work of the Joint Commission, which oversees JCPOA implementation and addresses potential problems and disputes. Under the Joint Commission, a Procurement Working Group, a Technical Working Group, an Arak Working Group, and a Sanctions Working Group have been established. All groups except for the Arak Working Group are coordinated by a representative of the High Representative.

On 8 May 2018, the President of the United States announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Therefore, as of 9 May, the United States does not participate in any JCPOA-related activities or meetings.

On 21 December 2020, participants of the JCPOA acknowledged at ministerial level the prospect of a return of the US to the JCPOA and underlined their readiness to positively address this in a joint effort.

The coordinator has been leading diplomatic talks in Vienna, since April 2021, to negotiate the return of the United States to the JCPOA and to ensure once again the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides.

Sanctions imposed by the EU in view of the human rights situation in Iran, support for terrorism and other grounds are not part of the JCPOA, and remain in place.