Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Whereas:

On 26 July 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/413/CFSP^f1 concerning restrictive measures against Iran.

On 24 November 2013, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reached an agreement with Iran on a Joint Plan of Action which sets out an approach towards reaching a long-term comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. It was agreed that the process leading to this comprehensive solution would include, as a first step, initial mutually agreed measures to be taken by both sides for a duration of six months and renewable by mutual consent.

On 2 April 2015, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, agreed the key parameters of a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran.

On 10 July 2015, by Decision (CFSP) 2015/1130^f2 the Council decided to extend the implementation of the measures of the Joint Plan of Action until 13 July 2015.

On 14 July 2015, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reached an agreement on a long-term comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. The successful implementation of the JCPOA will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme and provide for the comprehensive lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions.

On 14 July 2015, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, agreed with Iran to extend the implementation of the measures of the Joint Plan of Action to allow for the necessary arrangements and preparations for the implementation of the JCPOA.

The suspension of the Union restrictive measures specified in the Joint Plan of Action should therefore be extended until 14 January 2016. Relevant contracts would have to be executed within that date.

Decision 2010/413/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: