The UN nuclear watchdog ruled on Saturday that Iran had abided by an agreement a year ago with six world powers to curtail its nuclear programme, triggering the end of sanctions.
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Iran and six world powers had announced in July past year that they have reached a deal about ending the Tehran’s nuclear programme. Mr Kerry said in Vienna: “Today marks the first day of a safer world”.
Billions of dollars of assets will be released and Iranian oil can now be sold internationally, in return for Iran’s compliance on elements of its nuclear program.
“All sides remain firmly convinced that this historic deal is both strong and fair, and that it meets the requirements of all”, Mogherini said in Vienna on Saturday in a joint statement with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The achievement was “hard-earned”, Wang said, noting that China appreciates the work that has been done by Iran and the P5+1, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany. “The lifting of sanctions strengthens Hezbollah, it strengthens (Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad, it strengthens terrorists across the region who benefit from Iranian support”.
However, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said: “Iran continues to aspire towards nuclear weapons – the global community mustn’t be blinded by the optimism of the IAEA report”. “Nothing serious. Diplomacy requires patience, but we all know that it sure beats the alternatives”, he said on Twitter.
The declaration was followed by USA and European Union announcements that some sanctions against Tehran would be immediately removed.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated on Sunday the “brave and heroic people of Iran” with the implementation of the landmark nuclear deal known as the Joint comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“It was issued after Agency inspectors on the ground verified that Iran has carried out all measures required under the JCPOA to enable Implementation Day to occur”.
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Public Security Minister, said that the implementation of the deal, contrary to Kerry’s claim, would endanger the Middle East and fail to halt Iran’s nuclear program.
As part of the deal, Iran had to drastically reduce its number of centrifuges and dismantle a heavy-water reactor near the town of Arak, both of which could be used in creating nuclear weapons.
Iran insists all of its nuclear activities are peaceful.
Iran is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer. Rezaian holds dual American and Iranian citizenship, and had covered Iran for the Post since 2012.
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U.S. student, Matthew Trevithick, was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and was already on his way home.
