UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Iran vows to protect its nuclear programme

Q1. With reference to Iran's nuclear programme, the term 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed between Iran and the Russian Federation in 2015
  • B. A 2015 multilateral agreement under which Iran capped uranium enrichment at 3.67% in return for sanctions relief
  • C. The International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol regulating snap inspections of Iranian sites
  • D. A UN Security Council Chapter VII sanctions regime imposed on Iran's ballistic missile programme

Q2. With reference to nuclear sites associated with Iran's nuclear programme, consider the following facilities: 1. Natanz 2. Fordow 3. Arak 4. Dimona Which of the above is/are correctly identified as uranium-enrichment facilities located in Iran?

  1. Natanz
  2. Fordow
  3. Arak
  4. Dimona
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q3. How many countries, in total, constitute the negotiating group commonly referred to as the 'P5+1' that concluded the Iran nuclear deal of 2015?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Seven
  • D. Eight

Q4. With reference to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) of 2015 and the situation around Iran's nuclear programme in 2025–26, consider the following statements: 1. The JCPOA capped Iran's uranium enrichment at 3.67% purity, whereas by 2025 the IAEA reported Iran enriching uranium up to 60% purity. 2. The JCPOA was negotiated by the P5+1 with Iran, whereas the conditional US–Iran ceasefire of April 2026 was announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. 3. The United States formally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and re-joined the same agreement in April 2026 as part of the ceasefire arrangement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The JCPOA capped Iran's uranium enrichment at 3.67% purity, whereas by 2025 the IAEA reported Iran enriching uranium up to 60% purity.
  2. The JCPOA was negotiated by the P5+1 with Iran, whereas the conditional US–Iran ceasefire of April 2026 was announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
  3. The United States formally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and re-joined the same agreement in April 2026 as part of the ceasefire arrangement.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3