“We have consistently made clear that the United States will vigorously press sanctions against Iranian activities outside of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – including those related to Iran’s support for terrorism, regional destabilization, human rights abuses, and ballistic missile program”.
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Iran had set up a $400 million trust fund for such purchases, which was frozen along with diplomatic relations in 1979.
“They’re civilians, and their release is a one-time gesture to Iran given the unique opportunity offered by this moment and the larger circumstances at play”, Obama said.
The organization tasked with inspecting and monitoring Iran’s nuclear stockpiles and sites formally certified Saturday that Tehran had fulfilled the commitments of the nuclear deal brokered a year ago and dismantled most of its nuclear program.
Iran tested a new medium-range ballistic missile on Nov 21 in a breach of two United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions, two U.S. officials said yesterday.
Iran’s pursuit of ballistic missiles was legal, the Foreign Ministry said, and none of its missiles was created to carry nuclear warheads.
Obama administration officials chose to delay the sanctions announcement until after the deal was completed, the sources said. Also released were Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, Christian pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari – all four of whom have American-Iranian citizenship.
‘This is a good day because once again we are seeing what’s possible through strong American diplomacy, ‘ Obama said at the White House. Congressman Jim Costa sees the prisoner release and the nuclear deal with Iran as a cautious step forward.
Obama pledged to counter vigorously Iran’s “destabilizing behavior” across the Mideast even while the US engages with the Islamic Republic.
Shortly afterwards, the three left for a USA military base in Germany, arriving there later on Sunday, a State Department official said.
In return, the USA will either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians – six of whom are dual citizens – accused or convicted of violating US sanctions. The Iranian president also said the deal was a “turning point” for Iran’s economy, which was severely weakened by having been shut out of global markets for the last five years.
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Obama hailed the release a major development.
