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Iran sanctions 'could be lifted in December' - Fabius Iran sanctions 'could be lifted in December' - Fabius
(about 1 hour later)
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says some EU sanctions on Iran could be lifted as early as next month, as part of a nuclear deal with world powers.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says some EU sanctions on Iran could be lifted as early as next month, as part of a nuclear deal with world powers.
He was speaking after crowds in Tehran cheered negotiators who had agreed to curb some of Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.He was speaking after crowds in Tehran cheered negotiators who had agreed to curb some of Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.
The six-month interim deal agreed in Geneva prompted a fall in oil prices on markets on Monday.The six-month interim deal agreed in Geneva prompted a fall in oil prices on markets on Monday.
But Israel's prime minister has warned the agreement is a "historic mistake".But Israel's prime minister has warned the agreement is a "historic mistake".
US President Barack Obama phoned Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the deal on Sunday. He told the Israeli leader the US understood Israel "has good reason to be sceptical about Iran's intentions" and promised to consult its ally closely, the White House said. On Monday Benjamin Netanyahu announced that an Israeli team led by national security adviser Yossi Cohen would travel to Washington for talks on the deal.
Saudi Arabia - Iran's regional rival - cautiously welcomed the deal. "This accord must bring about one outcome: the dismantling of Iran's military nuclear capability," he said.
On Sunday, US President Barack Obama told Mr Netanyahu in a phone call that the US understood Israel "has good reason to be sceptical about Iran's intentions" and promised to consult its ally closely, the White House said.
Mr Netanyahu has warned that Israel "will not allow a regime that calls for the destruction of Israel to obtain the means to achieve this goal."
Saudi Arabia - Iran's regional rival - cautiously welcomed the deal on Monday.
"This agreement could be a first step towards a comprehensive solution for Iran's nuclear programme, if there are good intentions," a statement said."This agreement could be a first step towards a comprehensive solution for Iran's nuclear programme, if there are good intentions," a statement said.
However, a London-based Saudi official earlier told the BBC his country had been lied to.However, a London-based Saudi official earlier told the BBC his country had been lied to.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the Geneva accord, but said it was only a "first step".
"We are right to test to the full Iran's readiness to act in good faith," he told the House of Commons.
'Nothing is settled''Nothing is settled'
Mr Fabius told French radio that "Iran is committed to giving up the prospect of nuclear weapons. It's perfectly clear".Mr Fabius told French radio that "Iran is committed to giving up the prospect of nuclear weapons. It's perfectly clear".
However, he insisted the temporary deal could be reversed if its terms were not adhered to.However, he insisted the temporary deal could be reversed if its terms were not adhered to.
EU foreign ministers will meet "in a few weeks" to put forward a proposal to partially lift some sanctions on Iran, which the bloc would then have to approve. The limited lifting of sanctions would take place "in December", he added. He said EU foreign ministers would meet "in a few weeks" to propose the partially lifting of some sanctions which the bloc would then have to approve. The limited lifting of sanctions would take place "in December", he added.
France, the UK, Germany, the US, Russia and China took part in the talks with Iran, hosted by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.France, the UK, Germany, the US, Russia and China took part in the talks with Iran, hosted by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
Under the deal which will last six months, Iran would receive some $7bn (£4.3bn) in "limited, temporary, targeted, and reversible [sanctions] relief" while a permanent agreement is sought.Under the deal which will last six months, Iran would receive some $7bn (£4.3bn) in "limited, temporary, targeted, and reversible [sanctions] relief" while a permanent agreement is sought.
In return, Tehran has agreed to a series of measures.In return, Tehran has agreed to a series of measures.
Key points of the deal include:Key points of the deal include:
Arriving at Tehran's Mehrabad airport, Iran's negotiators were welcomed by hundreds of cheering supporters carrying flowers and flags.Arriving at Tehran's Mehrabad airport, Iran's negotiators were welcomed by hundreds of cheering supporters carrying flowers and flags.
The crowd hailed Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif as an "ambassador of peace" and chanted: "No to war, sanctions, surrender and insult." Addressing state TV, Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said Iran was prepared to take the necessary steps to keep the deal on track.
Addressing state TV at the airport, Mr Zarif said Iran was prepared to take the necessary steps to keep the deal on track. World powers have suspected Iran of secretly trying to develop a nuclear bomb - a charge Iran strongly denies.
World powers suspect Iran of secretly trying to develop a nuclear bomb - a charge Iran strongly denies.
A raft of sanctions has been imposed on Iran by the UN, US and the European Union.A raft of sanctions has been imposed on Iran by the UN, US and the European Union.
President Obama welcomed the deal, saying it would "help prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon".President Obama welcomed the deal, saying it would "help prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon".
But Mr Netanyahu said Israel would not be bound by the agreement, saying he had a "duty to speak out". It has also been revealed that the US and Iran held a series of face-to-face talks in recent months that paved the way for the agreement but were kept secret even from their allies.
"We cannot and will not allow a regime that calls for the destruction of Israel to obtain the means to achieve this goal."
Addressing parliament later, he said an Israeli team led by national security adviser Yossi Cohen would travel to Washington for talks on the deal.
Mr Netanyahu's comments came as it was revealed that the US and Iran held a series of face-to-face talks in recent months that paved the way for the agreement but were kept secret even from their allies.
The Associated Press said at least five meetings had been held, the first in March in the Gulf state of Oman and the others after President Hassan Rouhani came to power.
The interim agreement with Iran - the world's fourth-largest oil producer - prompted a fall in oil prices in early Asian trading with Brent crude falling by more than 2%.The interim agreement with Iran - the world's fourth-largest oil producer - prompted a fall in oil prices in early Asian trading with Brent crude falling by more than 2%.
Although Iran will not be allowed to increase its oil sales for six months, analysts say the deal is perceived by the markets as reducing risk in the Middle East.Although Iran will not be allowed to increase its oil sales for six months, analysts say the deal is perceived by the markets as reducing risk in the Middle East.
Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry told ABC's This Week programme that the deal was a first step in making sure Iran could not have nuclear weapons. Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry told ABC's This Week programme that he hoped Congress would not pass new sanctions on Iran.
He added that he hoped Congress would not pass new sanctions. However, Republican senators - as well as some from President Obama's Democratic party - have expressed concerns about the deal and say more sanctions are possible. Some senators have expressed concerns about the deal and say more sanctions are possible.
In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, President Rouhani repeated that his country would never seek nuclear weapons.In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, President Rouhani repeated that his country would never seek nuclear weapons.
"No matter what interpretations are given, Iran's right to enrichment has been recognised," he said."No matter what interpretations are given, Iran's right to enrichment has been recognised," he said.
The deal comes just over three months since Mr Rouhani - regarded as a relative moderate - took office replacing the hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.The deal comes just over three months since Mr Rouhani - regarded as a relative moderate - took office replacing the hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
It has also been backed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in nuclear matters.It has also been backed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in nuclear matters.