The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement signed between Iran and six world powers to limit the country’s nuclear development programme, was supposed to be the ultimate incentive. In exchange for its co-operation, Iran would benefit from the lifting of key US, EU and UN sanctions.
In theory, the deal was designed to be a shot in the arm for a crippled Iranian economy. Starved of vital investment after years of punishing sanctions, the JCPOA would open Iran up to the world and to much-needed investment and trade from the West and elsewhere.
