US says sanctions on Iran to be lifted in stages

Middle East, News, US April 10, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

The sanctions imposed on Iran because of its nuclear programme will be lifted “only in phases” after reaching a final nuclear deal between Tehran and the world superpowers, the US said yesterday.

State Department spokesman, Jeff Rathke said: “Sanctions will be suspended in a phased manner upon verification that Iran has met specific commitments under a finalised joint comprehensive plan of action,” which is expected to be signed by 30 June.

This comes after the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a statement in which he doubted the possibility of reaching a final agreement in less than three months.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed yesterday that Iran demands all economic sanctions imposed on the country be lifted as soon as a final agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme is reached. During a live televised speech Rouhani said: “We will not sign any deal unless all sanctions are lifted on the same day … We want a win-win deal for all parties involved in the nuclear talks.”

Catherine Ray, Spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini says, Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers will resume negotiations to draw up a final agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program within days.

At a press briefing in Brussels on Friday, she added that the negotiating sides were maintaining contact by phone and e-mail.

She emphasized that the European Union is trying hard and playing an intermediary role in the negotiations.

The comments came a day after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said it is the very specifics of the nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers that would determine the fate of the talks.

MEM/SF/KA/SS