Sanctions Lifted As The Iran Nuclear Deal Is Formally Implemented

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday.

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

The United States and European Union on Sunday formally lifted their nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, implementing an historic agreement struck in July between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear program.

It came after the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), released a report confirming that Iran had complied with the necessary terms of the agreement.

"It was issued after agency inspectors on the ground verified that Iran has carried out all measures required under the joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA) to enable implementation day to occur," said IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano in a video posted to YouTube.

"Relations between Iran and the IAEA now enter a new phase. It is an important day for the international community," he said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry released a statement confirming Washington would now keep its end of the bargain and lift its sanctions against Tehran:

I hereby confirm that the International Atomic Energy Agency has verified that Iran has fully implemented its required commitments as specified in Sections 15.1-15.11 of Annex V of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The U.S. sanctions-related commitments described in Sections 17.1-17.5 of Annex V of the JCPOA are now in effect.

Speaking at a press conference in Vienna, Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the E.U. for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, confirmed the E.U. had also lifted its sanctions.

"Today, almost exactly six months after finalization of the historic deal, the [IAEA] has verified that Iran has implemented its nuclear related commitments," she said. "As Iran has fulfilled its commitments, today multi-lateral economic and financial sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program are lifted in accordance with the JCPOA."

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SOURCE: BuzzFeed