Iran’s nuclear programme: Landmark deal reached

Capping four days of negotiations, representatives of the US, the UK, Russia, China, France and Germany reached a landmark deal with Iran today to slow it’s controversial nuclear programme in return for a limited sanctions relief. The deal, struck in the early hours in Geneva, was formally announced by the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Under the deal, Iran will stop enriching uranium beyond 5 per cent, the level at which it can be used for weapons research, and reduce its stockpile of uranium enriched beyond this point. It also agreed to give better access to inspectors and halt some of its work on uranium enrichment. In return, there will be no new nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran for six months. Iran will also receive sanctions relief worth about 7 billion US dollars on sectors including precious metals.

 


Hailing the deal the US President Barack Obama in a nationally televised address said the deal includes “substantial limitations” that will prevent Iran from acquiring an atomic weapon.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the nuclear deal was the basis for further progress. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a statement said the deal recognized Iran’s nuclear rights by allowing it to continue to enrich uranium and that Tehran’s enrichment activities would proceed similar as before.

India has welcomed the interim nuclear deal. The External Affairs Ministry Spokesman, Syed Akbaruddin said that New Delhi welcomes the prospect of resolving questions related to Iran’s nuclear program through dialogue and diplomacy.

European Union President Herman Van Rompuy hailed the courage shown by Iran and world powers in their deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear program and urged for its implementation in time.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the agreement is good for the whole world and the Middle East and the diplomacy has opened the roads for further engagement with Iran.

Welcoming the deal Pakistan said the deal would greatly help its goal for cheap gas, peace in Afghanistan and better ties with India.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister’s office said, Israel does not see itself as bound by what it called a very bad agreement.