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Iran nuclear deal: US, EU and Iran to discuss progress Iran nuclear deal: Minister says sanctions 'to be lifted'
(about 9 hours later)
The US, Iran and the EU will meet in Vienna on Saturday to discuss progress towards implementing Iran's nuclear deal, the US State Department says. International sanctions against Iran are to be lifted today, the country's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has said.
Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Mr Zarif is in Vienna for talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry over Iran's nuclear deal.
There is widespread speculation Iran has met the terms of the deal and the lifting of sanctions is imminent. The international nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, is expected to confirm that Iran has scaled back its atomic activities in line with the agreement.
Verification falls to international nuclear watchdog the IAEA, which could make an announcement on Saturday. Lifting sanctions would unfreeze billions of dollars of assets and allow Iranian oil to be sold internationally.
US Secretary of State John Kerry will hold talks with Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in the Austrian capital. Iran nuclear deal: Key details
"All parties have continued making steady progress" towards implementing the deal, the State Department said, adding it will ensure the "exclusively peaceful nature" of Iran's programme. "Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today," Iran's ISNA agency quoted Mr Zarif as saying.
The three-party talks are seen as a sign that implementation is near, with sources saying the IAEA could issue its report on Saturday. He said the IAEA's report meant implementation of the nuclear deal would go ahead.
"Almost all details are ironed out," one source told Reuters. The State Department said all parties had "continued making steady progress" towards implementing the deal, adding it would ensure the "exclusively peaceful nature" of Iran's programme.
As part of the deal, Iran had to drastically reduce its number of centrifuges and dismantle a heavy-water reactor near the town of Arak, both of which could be used in creating nuclear weapons. Iran has always maintained its programme is peaceful.As part of the deal, Iran had to drastically reduce its number of centrifuges and dismantle a heavy-water reactor near the town of Arak, both of which could be used in creating nuclear weapons. Iran has always maintained its programme is peaceful.
The July 2015 agreement was seen by some as a foreign policy landmark - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the deal "historic".The July 2015 agreement was seen by some as a foreign policy landmark - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the deal "historic".
But opponents remain, such as some US Republicans who say it does not do enough to ensure Iran cannot develop a bomb.But opponents remain, such as some US Republicans who say it does not do enough to ensure Iran cannot develop a bomb.
What is the nuclear deal?What is the nuclear deal?
In July 2015, Iran agreed a landmark nuclear deal with six world powers to limit its sensitive nuclear activities for more than a decade in return for the lifting of crippling sanctions. The US is confident the agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran says it has the right to nuclear energy - and stresses that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.In July 2015, Iran agreed a landmark nuclear deal with six world powers to limit its sensitive nuclear activities for more than a decade in return for the lifting of crippling sanctions. The US is confident the agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran says it has the right to nuclear energy - and stresses that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
When is 'implementation day'?When is 'implementation day'?
Iran will not see the UN, US and EU sanctions lifted until the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), certifies that it has fulfilled its commitments under the deal. The precise date of the so-called "implementation day" has not been determined. But Iran says it has met those commitments earlier than expected.Iran will not see the UN, US and EU sanctions lifted until the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), certifies that it has fulfilled its commitments under the deal. The precise date of the so-called "implementation day" has not been determined. But Iran says it has met those commitments earlier than expected.
What does Iran stand to gain?What does Iran stand to gain?
The sanctions have cost Iran more than more than $160bn (£102bn) in oil revenue since 2012 alone. Once they are lifted, the country will be able to resume selling oil on international markets and using the global financial system for trade. Iran has the fourth largest oil reserves in the world and the energy industry is braced for lower prices. Iran will also be able to access more than $100bn in assets frozen overseas.The sanctions have cost Iran more than more than $160bn (£102bn) in oil revenue since 2012 alone. Once they are lifted, the country will be able to resume selling oil on international markets and using the global financial system for trade. Iran has the fourth largest oil reserves in the world and the energy industry is braced for lower prices. Iran will also be able to access more than $100bn in assets frozen overseas.