Obama: Iran deals vindicate diplomacy over military force

The U.S. and European Union sanctions on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program have largely cut Iran out of the worldwide financial system during the past years.

Obama used his Sunday morning statement from the White House to speak directly to the Iranian people: “We have a rare chance to pursue a new path ” a different, better future that delivers progress for both our peoples and the wider world”. We are also overjoyed to hear that other Americans being held in Iran also will soon be reunited with their families.

American writer and researcher Matt Trevithick was released separately from the prisoner swap, and has reportedly left Iran.

Less than 24 hours after the deal was implemented, Washington placed sanctions on eleven companies and individuals for supplying Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

Previously, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the US would pay Iran $400 million and also $1.3 billion in interest, dating back to the Islamic Revolution.

But Mr Obama said he decided that “a strong, confident America could advance our national security by engaging directly with the Iranian government”.

A purchase of more than 100 aircraft from Europe’s Airbus may be one of Iran’s first big deals in a trade and investment boom that could reshape the economy of the Middle East, Reuters reports. Ted Cruz, a GOP presidential candidate, said on “Fox News Sunday”. We will make them as carefully and consistently as we can.

A US official, speaking on background in a press release issued by the State Department, said the seven Iranians have dual citizenship with the USA and are convicted or are pending trial in the United States.

The United States also agreed to drop charges against 14 other Iranians whose extradition to the United States seemed unlikely, a USA official said.

The president spoke shortly after the Americans began their journey home.

Iran has denied holding Levinson, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and Central Intelligence Agency contractor who went missing there in 2007. He emphasised that they were not charged with terrorism or any violent offences.

“They’re civilians, and their release is a one-time gesture to Iran given the unique opportunity offered by this moment and the larger circumstances at play”, Obama said.

The efforts were beset by several hitches, including the detention of 10 American sailors by Iran last week in the Persian Gulf and plans in late December to impose sanctions on Iran for ballistic missile testing.

Because Iran has reached a landmark nuclear agreement with world powers, Rouhani said in September, there is no reason for the U.S.to hold prisoners who were arrested for violating the sanctions that are now being lifted.