The United States and European Union have officially lifted certain sanctions against Iran after the UN nuclear watchdog released a statement saying Iran has fulfilled necessary steps to start the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program.
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Iran “has opened a new chapter” in its ties with the world, President Hassan Rouhani said, in a statement released Sunday, hours after a raft of global economic sanctions against the country were lifted.
In a press briefing, the White House declared that Iran will be able to access their previously blocked funds.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring Iran and will report any violation of the nuclear agreement.
“I believe it’s not just an important day for economic activities in Iran”.
For Obama, the diplomatic breakthroughs are a validation of his early promise to deal directly with nations such as Iran, one that continues to be staunchly opposed by his political opponents.
The cabinet said that in keeping with its decision on the 11th of November it had conducted “a total revision of the ordinance” of measures that Switzerland had imposed on Iran as part of the global community’s pressure to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said the implementation of the deal marked “a new and risky time in which Iran is free of most economic sanctions without having to stop its nuclear plan and without having to give explanations about its military activity as it had to in the past”.
The U.S.in turn offered clemency or pardons to seven Iranians, six of them dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, who were convicted or awaiting trial in the U.S. None was associated with terrorism-related offenses or violent crimes, according to the administration.
“JCPOA is not a threat to any country”.
The historic nuclear accord between Iran and major powers was set in motion on Saturday, January 16.
He also announced that Tehran had released several American prisoners, who were detained – some for years – in Iranian prisons, including Washington Post reporter and ex-Tehran bureau chief Jason Rezaian.
“Relations between Iran and the IAEA now enter a new phase. We should use this atmosphere and these conditions for the sake of growth and development of our country, and for the sake of the welfare of the people, for the progress of our country, and also for the progress, stability, and security of the region”, Rouhani said.
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“We also know without a doubt that there is not a challenge in the entire region that couldn’t become much more complicated, much worse, if Iran had a nuclear weapon”.
