“All oppressive sanctions imposed against Iran will be annulled today”, Zarif said on Iranian state TV, AP reported.
Advertisement
Iranian media say the military has test-fired several short-range missiles, including the type Palestinian militant Hamas group used to attack Tel Aviv last November.
“We will continue to enforce these sanctions vigorously”, Obama said.
The freeing of the Americans and the certification of the nuclear deal, both Saturday, marks the beginning of a new era in U.S.-Iranian relations.
When Friday’s business hours ended, President Barack Obama was still being accused by Republicans of apologizing to Iran after two small US boats drifted into the country’s waters, leading to 10 sailors being held. A source close to Iran’s judiciary confirmed to The Associated Press, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 that jailed Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian is one of four dual-national prisoners freed by Iran’s government and previously announced on Iranian state television without naming those released.
President Obama on Sunday hailed the implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran and the release of USA prisoners, saying: “These things are a reminder of what we can achieve when we lead with strength and with wisdom”. Iran’s reaction was more muted, as the leadership balanced the benefits of regaining access to the global economy against the concessions made to satisfy the US and other worldwide critics of its nuclear program.
The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog Yukiya Amano arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks with President Hassan Rouhani, two days after Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers went into force.
On Sunday, Tehran released five American-Iranians in a prisoner swap.
Dehqan said the ballistic missile sanctions show the U.S.is “hostile” toward Iran and he pledged to unveil new missile developments soon.
Advertisement
Khamenei further stressed that the removal of sanctions was a result of the Iranian people’s resistance. “And we are going to remain vigilant about it. We’re not going to waver in the defense of our security or that of our allies and partners”, Obama said in a televised statement on Sunday morning from the White House.
