(MENAFN– ecpulse) World powers and Iran reached a deal early Sunday that would halt parts of Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for what was described by Washington as “modest relief” from international sanctions on Iran.
The interim deal, while historic, is a six-month agreement that allows for Iran to continue its activities in its nuclear sites in the cities of Arak, Fordo, and Natanz.
The deal was announced on Sunday morning after the intense nuclear talks between Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany, originally scheduled to end on Friday, entered into the fifth day.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the agreement also stipulates that no additional sanctions will be imposed on Iran because of its nuclear energy program.
Iran will also receive access to USD 4.2 billion in foreign exchange as part of the nuclear deal.
Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, said the agreement recognizes the country`s "enrichment program."
Araqchi had earlier emphasized that Tehran could not accept any deal that did not recognize Iran`s enrichment right.
The landmark agreement was reached in Tehran’s third nuclear negotiations with the world powers since Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took office in August.
Israel harshly criticized the agreement between Iran and six world powers, saying it would not prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.
"This is a bad agreement. It gives Iran exactly what it wants: both substantial easing of sanctions and preservation of the most substantial parts of its nuclear program,`` said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s office Sunday.
Israel has been a strong critic of U.S. efforts to negotiate with Iran, arguing that Tehran was using the talks to buy it time to pursue a nuclear weapon.
The prime minister`s office said the accord reached in Geneva early Sunday " allows Iran to continue to enrich uranium , allows it to keep all of its centrifuges, and doesn`t bring about dismantling of Arak," the site of Tehran`s plutonium-producing reactor.
Republican senators in Washington warned shortly after the terms were announced that western powers were giving up too much in exchange for too little, in hopes of a longer-term deal.
Senator Mark Kirk said it would give a leading sponsor of terror "billions of dollars in exchange for cosmetic concessions."
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.