Iran’s nuclear deal: Everyone from Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin to Barack Obama and David Cameron has welcomed the agreement
It's not often world leaders from the UK and US agree with those from Russia and Syria, but today is one of those rare moments.
David Cameron, Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad have all welcomed the historic nuclear deal inked between the world's leading powers and Iran today.
This morning the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany – the so-called P5+1 – agreed to lift sanctions against Iran in return for allowing UN nuclear inspectors extensive, but not automatic, access to sites within Iran.
Sanctions over oil and gas trading, financial transactions, aviation and shipping are expected to be lifted, and billions of dollars of assets unfrozen, according to Iranian media.
Details have not yet been released, but it is thought that sanctions could be restored within 65 days if Iran violates the deal. A UN arms embargo and missile sanctions are expected to remain in place for some years.
While there has been some variety in response, everyone agrees it is “historic” and, at worst, a step in the right direction.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani tweeted that “new horizons” were emerging as a result of the deal.
https://twitter.com/HassanRouhani/status/620881594937688064
According to Syrian state media Sana, Assad has sent a message of congratulation to his key ally.
"We are confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran will support, with greater drive, just causes of nations and work for peace and stability in the region and the world," Assad reportedly said.
US President Obama gave the deal his backing, saying it “makes the world safer and more secure”.
But he added: “This deal is not built on trust – it is built on verification.”
https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/620916546265702400
Russian President Putin was emphatic. “The world can breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.
UK Prime Minister Cameron however was more equivocal, saying it “secures our fundamental aim – to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapon – and that will help make our world a safer place”.
He added: “There is a real opportunity for Iran to benefit from this agreement in terms of its economy, but this will only happen if Iran delivers on all the agreed actions required to fully address international concerns about its programme.
“Of course this agreement will not solve all the difficulties, especially between Iran and its neighbours. We will continue to work with our partners in the region to ensure stablity and security, and I hope that Iran will also follow this path.”