But on May 8, 2018, President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the breakthrough agreement and announced he was reimposing sanctions.

On Tuesday Iran said it would abandon more commitments under the deal on July 7, following its announcement in May that it would suspend two of its 2015 pledges.

- Long road -

Negotiations start in June 2013 between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany.

The final deal is reached on July 14, 2015 bringing to an end to a 12-year international row over the Iranian nuclear issue.

- The aim -

The goal of the deal is to render it practically impossible for Iran to build an atom bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme.

As part of the agreement, Tehran pledges to reduce its nuclear capacities for several years.

It agrees to slash the number of centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium for nuclear fuel but can also be used in the production of an atom bomb, from more than 19,000 to 5,060 and to maintain that level for a decade.

It also agrees to modify its heavy water reactor in Arak under international supervision to make it impossible to produce plutonium for military use.

The deal comes into effect on January 16, 2016.

- Inspectors, sanctions relief -

The International Atomic Energy Agency is charged with regular inspections of facilities such as uranium mines and centrifuge workshops for up to 25 years.

The accord paves the way for a partial lifting of international sanctions on Iran, opening the door to foreign investors -- French energy giant Total and carmakers PSA and Renault all strike deals.

UN embargoes on the sale of conventional arms and on ballistic missiles to Iran are however maintained up to 2020 and 2023 respectively.

- US exit -

On May 8, 2018 Trump announces the United States is pulling out of the agreement and will reimpose sanctions on Iran as well as all companies with ties to the Islamic republic.

On August 7, Washington reimposes the first set of "the most biting sanctions ever" -- although they are in fact simply a reimposition of sanctions in place prior to the nuclear deal.

They target access to US banknotes and key industries such as cars and carpets.

A second tranche of sanctions kicks in on November 5, this time targeting Iran's vital oil sector and central bank transactions.

From May 2, 2019 Washington ends temporary sanctions waivers it had granted to the eight main purchasers of Iranian oil, raising the pressure on holdouts China, India and Turkey to find other suppliers.

- Iran suspends commitments -

On May 8 Iran announces it will stop observing restrictions on its stocks of enriched uranium and heavy water agreed under the deal.

It also gives Europe, China and Russia a two-month ultimatum to help it circumvent US sanctions and sell oil or it would abandon two more commitments.

This second step, which Iran says would begin on July 7, would involve breaking past the 3.67 percent restriction on enriching uranium and restarting development of a heavy water reactor that was put on hold.

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GROUPE PSA

TOTAL

Renault