Khamenei Says Iran Should Be Vigilant About Western Nuclear Promises

Obama’s remarks on Sunday close out a big week for U.S.-Iran relations, which have come a long way since the U.S. joined talks on Iran’s program for the first time in 2008 under the Bush administration. News storiesdisplayed here appear in our category for Business and are licensed via a specific agreement between LongIsland.comand The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news organization.

In Washington, President Barack Obama said the breakthrough was vindication of his contentious policy of engagement. “We believe in our nation’s success”, he added. “And we are going to remain vigilant about it”.

He said Iran would respond by “accelerating its legal ballistic missile programme and boosting defence capabilities”.

A plane carrying the three Americans who’d wished to leave Iran after the prisoner swap was completed arrived on a U.S. Air Force base in Germany after a brief stop in Switzerland.

The article pointed out that Tehran’s top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had said new sanctions under any pretext would constitute a breach of the nuclear deal. Not only did the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declare last summer’s nuclear deal legitimate, unlocking some $100 billion in sanctions relief; Iran released four Americans who have been imprisoned in the country.

A fourth prisoner, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, decided not to leave Iran, according to CNN. Iran freed five Americans essentially held hostage, while the USA extended clemency to seven Iranians accused or convicted of illegal trade with Iran.

Washington Post publisher Frederick Ryan said: “We are relieved that this 545-day nightmare for Jason and his family is finally over”.

Concerns that fresh Iranian exports will worsen a supply glut have helped push oil prices to 12-year lows, and they plunged below $28 a barrel early on Monday.

A joint statement from Iranian foreign minister Javed Zarif and the European high representative Federica Mogherini said both sides believe the deal is strong and fair, meets the requirements of all and will be key to improving regional and worldwide peace, stability and security.

The Vienna agreement was nailed down after two years of negotiations following Mr Rouhani’s election.