Sanctions are seen as an essential tool for nonproliferation and in some cases prove useful, as with Iran. However, as new challenges such as North Korea loom, are the United States and its partners using sanctions the right way to achieve their objectives?

The Iran nuclear deal is merely the cornerstone of a broader, longer-term strategy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to diminish and counter Iran’s threatening behavior—from its growing ballistic missile arsenal, to its dangerous use of regional proxies, to its human rights abuses at home.

How the United States can confront challenges by vigorously enforcing the JCPOA despite the non-certification decision, while also taking additional steps to limit Iran’s nuclear and regional activities, and engage Iran economically and diplomatically.

As the first anniversary of the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran approaches, it is time to look ahead to the long-term implications of the agreement.

Negotiators from the P5+1 and Iran have agreed to extend the talks on Iran’s nuclear program to June 2015. Many issues are still to be solved, such as establishing a formula for verifiably limiting Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity as well as an acceptable process for relieving sanctions. Still, all parties to the talks have stressed the need to reach a comprehensive agreement.