Why did the U.S. withdraw from the JCPOA in 2018?

Why did the U.S. withdraw from the JCPOA in 2018?

• A. Disagreements Over Environmental Policies.
• B. Concerns Over Iran's Missile Program and Regional Behavior.
• C. Economic Sanctions Relief.
• D. Iran's Compliance With IAEA Inspections.

Answer: (B)

The move was driven by concerns beyond the nuclear limits: Iran’s ballistic missile program and its regional behavior. The JCPOA did restrict Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, and IAEA inspections generally verified Iran’s compliance during the agreement. But critics argued that it did not address missiles or Iran’s actions in the region, and that sunset clauses would eventually lift many constraints, allowing a potential future nuclear breakout. Those broader security concerns—missile development and destabilizing regional actions—are why the withdrawal was pursued. Environmental or policy issues, or Iran’s inspection compliance alone, don’t capture the primary motive behind the decision.

The move was driven by concerns beyond the nuclear limits: Iran’s ballistic missile program and its regional behavior. The JCPOA did restrict Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, and IAEA inspections generally verified Iran’s compliance during the agreement. But critics argued that it did not address missiles or Iran’s actions in the region, and that sunset clauses would eventually lift many constraints, allowing a potential future nuclear breakout. Those broader security concerns—missile development and destabilizing regional actions—are why the withdrawal was pursued. Environmental or policy issues, or Iran’s inspection compliance alone, don’t capture the primary motive behind the decision.