Sanctions lifted as Iran found in compliance

The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says Tehran has fulfilled its side of last year’s landmark nuclear deal with six world powers.

Also on Saturday, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano released a report confirming that Iran has completed the necessary preparatory steps to start the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

But under the July 14 deal, Iran agreed to crimp programs which could be used to make nuclear weapons in return for an end to sanctions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Saturday Iran has complied with the nuclear deal it reached with the West last summer, saying it will begin monitoring nuclear activities.

‘Iran has honoured its commitment to alter, in fact dismantle, much of its nuclear operation…today marks the first day of a safer world, ‘ he said.

Meanwhile, the European Union’s head of foreign policy, Federica Mogherini, confirmed that the multilateral nuclear accord with Iran will be implemented this Saturday and that nuclear sanctions against that country are being eliminated.

The highly complex deal drew a line under a standoff dating back to 2002 marked by failed diplomatic initiatives, ever-tighter sanctions, defiant nuclear expansion by Iran and threats of military action.

In the United States, the Obama administration released an executive order revoking previous executive orders (13574, 13590, 13622, and 13645) which applied nuclear-related sanctions to Iran.

“Even after signing the nuclear deal, Iran has not relinquished its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilise the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world while violating its worldwide commitments” – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He hailed the move as bringing about a “good day for the Iranian people”. The IAEA said its “inspectors on the ground verified that Iran has carried out all measures” stipulated under the agreement. Earlier in the day, before Amano’s announcement, Iran released five US citizens that had been imprisoned in the country, including Washington Post report Jason Rezaian.

Zarif said the deal between his country and the six world powers would hold, telling Iranian media that all parties would “not allow the outcome of these talks to be wasted”.

The UN sanctions blacklist for Iran has 43 individuals and 78 entities that are subject to a global travel ban and an assets freeze.

Although European companies will now be able to do business with Iran freely, USA firms will still be largely left out of the market.