The global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed Saturday that Iran completed the necessary preparatory steps as part of a deal agreed last July.
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Also yesterday, US President Barack Obama signed an executive order to lift sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear programme.
Removal of the sanctions, which will unfreeze billions of dollars of Iranian assets and allow Iran’s oil to be sold internationally, was also welcomed by the USA and most European nations.
“Today marks the moment that the Iran nuclear agreement transitions from an ambitious set of promises on paper to measurable action in progress”, said US Secretary of State John Kerry after the announcement.
European Union diplomats began the process of lifting economic and financial sanctions on Iran, implementing a landmark 2015 deal between world powers and Iran, and paving the way for European Union business to the country.
The Washington Post, overjoyed at the return of its reporter, Jason Rezaian, agrees, saying that the US and Iran had “moved into a new era of worldwide relations”.
Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, said Saturday that the United States released seven Iranians held in USA prisons.
The US also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful. “Without appropriate response to each violation, Iran will realize it can continue to develop nuclear weapons…” The agreement puts Iran’s various nuclear activities under IAEA watch for up to 15 years, with an option to re-impose sanctions should Tehran break its commitments.
How does sanctions relief affect Iran’s economy?
They will also be free to deal with the Iranian transport and financial sectors, including banks, which will be able to switch back into the SWIFT transactions system, a key to rekindling foreign trade.
Tehran in turn released four prisoners with dual-citizenship.
Islamic Republic of Iran has several duties under the nuclear arrangement.
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 is still violating UN Security Council resolutions with its ballistic missile program, which should be met with new sanctions designations and firm resolve”, Clinton said.
In Tehran there was no repeat of last July’s boisterous street celebrations following agreement on the accord, but social media sites were abuzz.
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Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani listens during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in NY in this file picture taken September 23, 2014. Rouhani said via Twitter.
