“We still have sanctions on Iran for its violations of human rights, for its support of terrorism, and for its ballistic missile program”, President Obama said Sunday. The first two being the implementation of the nuclear deal and the freeing of the Americans imprisoned in Iran, including Washington Post reporter correspondent Jason Rezaian, and the third was the settlement of a years-long lawsuit between Iran and the US.
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(CNN) – Iran has announced the release of five detained Americans after global inspectors said Tehran is in compliance with a deal to restrict its nuclear program.
Hours after each side released prisoners, President Obama on Sunday announced new sanctions on 11 companies and individuals who supply Iran’s ballistic missile system.
“We’ve now closed off every single path Iran had to building a (nuclear) bomb”, he said.
Rezaian’s departure from the country after more than 500 days in detention came as part of a prisoner exchange that also negotiated the release of three other Americans: former Marine Amir Hekmati; Christian preacher Saeed Abedini; and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari.
However, the U.S. imposed the fresh sanctions due to concerns that ballistic missiles recently tested by Iran could carry atomic warheads, a claim Ansari said was baseless on Monday. Iran also promised to cooperate with the U.S.to locate Robert Levinson, the ex-CIA contractor who disappeared in Iran in 2007, reports CBS News.
The action taken Saturday allowed Iran to re-enter the world’s oil markets; according to some estimates, by the end of the year its exports may increase by a million barrels a day, yielding roughly $30 million a day in revenue at current prices. A fifth American was freed separately.
“All oppressive sanctions imposed against Iran will be annulled today”, Zarif said on Iranian state TV, AP reported.
“I am hopeful that this signals the opportunity at least for Iran to work more cooperatively with nations around the world to advance their interests and the interests of people who are looking for peace and security for their families”, he said.
“And we have been tireless”, Obama said.
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The agreement also calls for Iranian officials to “continue cooperating with the United States to determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson”, a USA official said.
