“We are really reminded once again of diplomacy’s power to tackle significant challenges” US Secretary of State John Kerry said. “Now our governments are talking to each other”.
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Obama welcomed the Americans’ release, saying: “When Americans are freed, that’s something we can all celebrate”.
The two sides would have to work closely together regarding the further inspections agreed, he said, adding that he hoped to build improved trust in the relationship.
USA officials says the seven Iranians that were released were either sentenced or awaiting trial in the US, and were not associated with terrorism. “I made a vow that we would do everything to win the release of their loved ones, and we have been tireless”. “All should prevent any domestic and foreign trivialities that thwart us”, he said.
“After the nuclear deal was completed, the discussions between out governments accelerated”.
Mr Rouhani said Iran should use the expected influx of investment to spark the “economic mutation” of the country, creating jobs and enhancing quality of life for Iranians, who have suffered double-digit inflation and unemployment rates for years.
The announcement of the new sanctions came hours after three USA citizens detained by Iran, including the Washington Post’s Jason Rezaian, had boarded a Swiss plane departing Tehran. US officials said the sanctions were delayed by more than two weeks in order to not endanger the negotiations.
“We seek to rationally solve regional problems”.
The United States will repay Iran the $400 million debt and $1.3 billion in interest.
“With the nuclear deal done, prisoners released, the time was right to resolve this dispute as well”, he said.
Iran on Sunday called on worldwide enterprises to participate in its economy after the comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear program officially took effect on Saturday.
The Obama administration today announced new penalties on 11 individuals and entities involved in Tehran’s ballistic missile programme.
“Israel’s policy has been and will remain exactly what has been followed: to not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons”, Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday.
He said: “The US sanctions against Iran’s ballistic missile programme… have no legal or moral legitimacy”.
While the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani promised a “suitable response” to the new sanctions, President Obama stressed that Washington would remain firm in the face of Iranian threats to the countries of the region.
They were triggered by Iran conducting a precision-guided ballistic missile test capable of delivering a nuclear warhead last October, violating a United Nations ban.
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Speaking after Americans who had been imprisoned and freed by Iran had left the country, Obama said Iran now would not “get its hands on a nuclear bomb” and the planet would be more secure.
