The Effect of the Geneva Accord on the Sanctions in Iran

Geneva agreement is a milestone for the country's foreign policy in general and for the dispute over Iran's nuclear program specifically. This accord reached shortly after the inauguration of the Rouhani government changed international mindsets towards Iran and demonstrated the new government’s political will with regards to taking strong action in order to engage the international community. Though this interim agreement is not without shortcomings, it has had noticeably positive ramifications in both foreign and domestic arenas. This article will answer the question: What effect has the Geneva Accord had on the sanctions against Iran? In the opinion of the authors, the Geneva Accord or the Joint Plan of Action has significantly affected the sanctions against Iran on four levels. A) The sanctions themselves: the implementation of the Accord leads to some sanctions relief. B) The environment of the sanctions: this also weakened the global sanctions environment against Iran, and introduced a trend of desecuritization of Iran and the nuclear program. C) The sanctioning countries: The Accord has led to disagreements between the sanction imposing countries and has shifted the balance between the supporters and the dissenters of the sanctions regime. D) The goals of sanctions: The Accord has uncovered friction between sanction the goals of the sanction imposing countries and divided them into the two camps of those who wish to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program and those who wish for it to have limitations and transparency.