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Iran's interim nuclear deal to take effect Iran's interim nuclear deal to take effect
(about 1 hour later)
An interim deal on Iran's nuclear programme is due to enter into force in a few hours' time. Iran is expected to curb uranium enrichment shortly, triggering the easing of international sanctions soon afterwards.
The process will begin with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, confirming that Tehran has curbed some of its high-level uranium enrichment. It "is the major measure that we are undertaking on Monday by noon [08:30 GMT]," a senior Iranian official said.
This should pave the way for partial suspension of EU and US sanctions. The move is part of a deal reached with the US, Russia, China and European powers last November.
It is expected that by the end of the day Iran should be able to resume petrochemical exports and trade in gold, worth billions of dollars. The process will begin with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, confirming that Tehran has curbed enrichment.
The interim deal was agreed in November during talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - US, Russia, China, France and Britain - plus Germany. This should pave the way for partial suspension of EU and US sanctions, allowing Iran to resume key exports.
The West accuses Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, but Tehran denies the claim, saying its programme is solely for peaceful purposes. By the end of the day, Iran should be able to restart petrochemical exports and trade in gold, worth billions of dollars.
The West accuses Teheran of seeking nuclear weapons, but it denies the claim, saying its programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
US warningUS warning
"Voluntarily halting the production of 20 percent uranium enrichment is the major measure that we are undertaking on Monday by noon," Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi told the Iranian news agency, Irna.
Later on Monday, inspectors from the IAEA are likely to verify the deal's implementation by Tehran.Later on Monday, inspectors from the IAEA are likely to verify the deal's implementation by Tehran.
That conclusion is then expected to be wired to Brussels, the BBC's Europe correspondent Matthew Price says.That conclusion is then expected to be wired to Brussels, the BBC's Europe correspondent Matthew Price says.
There ministers - including UK Foreign Secretary William Hague - are expected to lead their EU counterparts in voting unanimously in favour of a partial lifting of the sanctions which have been in place against Iran since 2006, our correspondent says.There ministers - including UK Foreign Secretary William Hague - are expected to lead their EU counterparts in voting unanimously in favour of a partial lifting of the sanctions which have been in place against Iran since 2006, our correspondent says.
Within an hour or two restrictions on Iran's trade would then be lifted.Within an hour or two restrictions on Iran's trade would then be lifted.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he hoped for "positive results for the country, as well as regional and global peace and security".On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he hoped for "positive results for the country, as well as regional and global peace and security".
Under the terms of the agreement, Iran has agreed to halt enrichment of uranium above 5% purity, and "neutralise" its stockpile of near-20%-enriched uranium. Under the terms of the agreement, reached with the permanent five members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, Iran has agreed to halt enrichment of uranium above 5% purity.
It will "neutralise" its stockpile of near-20%-enriched uranium.
In return, the world powers agreed to suspend certain sanctions on trade in gold and precious metals, Iran's automotive sector, and its petrochemical exports.In return, the world powers agreed to suspend certain sanctions on trade in gold and precious metals, Iran's automotive sector, and its petrochemical exports.
Senior US administration officials told the BBC last week that some of the sticking points that had been resolved in the past weeks centred on how often inspectors would be allowed to visit Iran's nuclear sites. Officials said as a result of the deal:Senior US administration officials told the BBC last week that some of the sticking points that had been resolved in the past weeks centred on how often inspectors would be allowed to visit Iran's nuclear sites. Officials said as a result of the deal:
In return, US President Barack Obama has said the US and the other five powers over the next six months will begin to implement "modest relief" so long as Iran fulfils its obligations.In return, US President Barack Obama has said the US and the other five powers over the next six months will begin to implement "modest relief" so long as Iran fulfils its obligations.
"Meanwhile, we will continue to vigorously enforce the broader sanctions regime, and if Iran fails to meet its commitments we will move to increase our sanctions," he said."Meanwhile, we will continue to vigorously enforce the broader sanctions regime, and if Iran fails to meet its commitments we will move to increase our sanctions," he said.
The current six-month agreement is designed to provide breathing space while a more permanent deal can be reached.
Sounding a note of caution, former deputy director of the IAEA, Olli Heinonen, said that if Iran decided to renege on the deal, it would only need two to three weeks to produce enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon.