Iranian FM stresses positive impacts of nuclear deal on Iran-world ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined the vital importance of the new atmosphere created as a result of Iran's good interaction with the six major world powers over its nuclear program, and called on the western parties to nuclear negotiations not to miss this unprecedented chance of broadening relations with Iran. Speaking at a meeting with newly-appointed Iranian ambassadors to Slovenia, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan prior to their departure from Iran on Wednesday, the top Iranian diplomat underlined the significance of consolidating relations with the European Union, and said the Geneva interim nuclear deal cut by Iran and the Sextet late in November has created suitable opportunity which must be seized properly by both sides to expand their all-out ties based on mutual respect. Late in March, a monthly report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Tehran has kept up its end of the bargain under the Geneva nuclear deal cut by the country and the six major world powers late in November. The IAEA said that two months into the six-month halt, Iran is still not enriching uranium to medium fissile purities, as agreed in Geneva last year. The UN watchdog report said that Tehran is also continuing to dilute and convert its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, and had not made any advances at its Natanz and Fordo nuclear facilities or at the Arak heavy water reactor. Under an agreement reached between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog in November 2013, the IAEA inspectors visited the Arak heavy water production plant on December 8, 2013. The IAEA inquiry is separate from but complementary to higher-level talks between Iran and the six nations, which is aimed at reaching a final agreement to fully resolve the West’s decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear energy program. The framework agreement between Tehran and the Sextet of world powers was signed on 11 November 2013, in what was a breakthrough following years of on-and-off negotiations that aimed at allaying international fears over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran finally agreed to limit its unclear enrichment to 5 percent in exchange for some easing of sanctions. The deal took effect on January 20.