Iran’s Khamenei welcomes sanctions lift, warns of USA ‘deceit’

But in an address to parliament he noted bitter opposition to Saturday’s lifting of economic curbs from arch foe Israel, some members of the U.S. Congress and what he called “warmongers” in the region – an apparent reference to some of Iran’s Gulf Arab adversaries.

“The nuclear deal is an opportunity that we should use to develop the country, improve the welfare of the nation, and create stability and security in the region”, Rouhani said. The deal also freed four American held in Iranian custody.

“A similar and sustained effort will be required in the future”, Amano said in statement to the media after meeting the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi.

Who are the Americans released?

A fifth American, Matthew Trevithick, was also released by Iran, though his release was not part of the negotiated prisoner swap. Arrangements are being made for their return.

In a statement after the release of Rezaian, Washington Post Publisher Frederick Ryan said: “We are relieved that this 545-day nightmare for Jason and his family is finally over”.

Rezaian is a dual Iran-U.S. citizen convicted of espionage by Iran in a closed-door trial in 2015. U.S.-Iranian suspicion still remains deeply entrenched. Japan plans to lift most of its sanctions against Iran, including a halt to fresh investments in Iranian oil and gas projects, “within a few days”, a Foreign Ministry official said.

Kerry told CNN that the timing was coincidental and that the Americans would have been released even if the sanctions had remained in place. The U.S. will also drop Interpol “red notices” – essentially arrest warrants – on about 14 Iranians outside the U.S, according to The Washington Post.

The nuclear deal removed restrictions that stifled Iran’s economy for most of this decade – on banking, money transfers, insurance, trade, transport and procurement of technology.

All nuclear programs, from uranium mining to research facilities, will be monitored and inspected under the deal. In addition, the United States submitted for publication in the Federal Register a final rule adding a general license under the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), 31 C.F.R. part 560, relating to the importation into the USA of Iranian-origin carpets and foodstuffs, including pistachios and caviar. This is done through caps on Tehran’s ability to enrich uranium.