(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Iran vowed to stand by a nuclear deal with world powers yesterday as President Hassan Rouhani promised it would open a "new page" in the country's global ties.
Keen to win over domestic sceptics, Iran's leaders pushed the merits of a potentially historic agreement, with clerics touting its virtues at Friday prayers in mosques.
The framework agreement - reached on Thursday after marathon talks in Switzerland -was hailed by world leaders as a major breakthrough in the 12-year standoff between Iran and the West, which has long feared Tehran wants to build a nuclear bomb.
Diplomats, however, warned that much work remained and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel claimed the potential agreement posed a "grave danger" to global security.
But in a live televised address, Rouhani said it could mark a turning point for the Islamic republic's relations with the rest of the world.
"If the other side honours its promises, we will honour our promises," he said.
"New co-operation with the world - both in the nuclear sphere and other areas - will open a new page" for Iran, he said.
The Islamic republic's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who will have the final say on any deal, has not yet reacted to Thursday's announcement.
But the proposed agreement could still face opposition from Iranian hardliners against making any concessions limiting the country's nuclear programme.
Several conservative websites published comments from Mehdi Mohammadi, a political analyst, describing the deal as "in no way balanced" and parts of it as a "disaster".
The country's powerful religious authorities lined up behind it, however.
In a sermon that state media said was replicated nationwide, Ayatollah Mohamed Emami-Kashani praised the agreement to worshippers in Tehran.
Earlier, well-wishers had hailed Iran's nuclear negotiators as they returned to Tehran from the talks in Lausanne, with dozens lining the streets and carrying Iranian flags.
Crippling sanctions over Iran's nuclear ambitions have left the country's economy reeling and the announcement of the deal was greeted with celebrations.
Hundreds took to the streets of Tehran in the early hours of yesterday, with drivers sounding their horns in approval, people flashing V-signs for victory and dancing while waving white handkerchiefs in a traditional Iranian celebration.
US President Barack Obama had earlier welcomed the "historic understanding" with Iran after decades of hostility, warning like other leaders that work remains to finalise a highly complex agreement by June 30.
The so-called P5+1 group - the US, Britain, China, France and Russia plus Germany - hope that the deal will make it virtually impossible for Iran to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran, one of the world's major oil producing countries, has always denied seeking the atomic bomb, saying its activities are for energy generation and research.
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