Freed US prisoners at US military base in Germany

July’s nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers came into effect Saturday evening, triggering an end to years of sweeping economic and financial sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear work. He did not elaborate.

The weekend saw an exchange of prisoners and a nuclear deal with Iran, with President Barack Obama saying that both events would not have been possible without “smart, patient” diplomatic efforts by the United States.

“Iran’s missile program has never been created to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons”, said foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari (pictured above), according to state news agency INSA.

Obama, in his statement, also referred to Iran’s meddling in countries like Syria and Yemen. “When Americans are freed and returned to their families, that’s something we can all celebrate”. “We are pleased to see that Iran released four other Americans, and our hope is that those who remain held will soon follow.” said Frederick J. Ryan in a statement released on Sunday.

“We can reach an agreement with the world that will benefit all nations and the region, as well as the world”, Rouhani said. 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.

Iran’s release of several hostages is, of course, wonderful news for these Americans and their loved ones – but how the Team Obama got it done is ugly indeed.

Saudi-Iranian political rivalry has aggravated tumult across West Asia, but has escalated recently as Riyadh’s new rulers have taken a harder line and as the nuclear deal has relieved pressure on Tehran. The Obama administration had been under intense pressure from Republicans (and some Democrats) to impose a penalty for Iran’s two ballistic missile tests conducted in 2015.

At the same time, the U.S. State Department announced it had agreed to release $400 million and $1.3 billion in interest for funds that had been frozen by the United State.