The 20th of January has been set as the date for when a deal, which will see Iran freeze part of its nuclear program in exchange for an easing of sanctions, will come into effect.
The agreement, which had been worked out during talks in November, means that Iran has agreed to suspend elements of nuclear enrichment for the next 6 months. In return, key sanctions on Iran are to be eased, granting an estimated $7 billion in sanctions relief, according to the White House.
EU's foreign policy head baroness Catherine Ashton welcomed the deal in a statement, noting,
“The foundations for a coherent, robust and smooth implementation of the joint plan of action over the six-month period have been laid”.
See her full statement here.
Calling the deal “concrete progress” US President Barack Obama stated that a “comprehensive resolution” still needed to be reached, adding,
“We will continue to vigorously enforce the broader sanctions regime, and if Iran fails to meet its commitments we will move to increase our sanctions”.
See his full statement here.
The move comes amidst increasing domestic pressure on the American President to pass further sanctions on Iran. In the US Senate, a reported 59 sponsors are backing a bill which endorses tougher international sanctions, edging closer to the 67 needed to overcome a White House veto.
Read more from the Financial Times here.