MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The landmark deal reached between Iran and six world powers this week will boost nuclear non-proliferation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.
"The agreement reached in Vienna meets the interests of all parties and will strengthen the non-proliferation regime," Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn.
The Russian diplomat predicted that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), ensuring the curtailment of Iran’s nuclear development program in exchange for gradual sanctions relief, would bring stability to the Middle East.
"It should reduce tensions in this delicate region and help seek common ground between the Iranians, the Arabs and the Israelis," Lavrov reiterated.
Under the terms of the JCPOA reached on Tuesday, Iran agreed to 15-year limits on its uranium enrichment and stockpiles, in addition to a pledge not to build additional heavy water reactors or produce weapons grade plutonium. Tehran is also to be the subject to extensive and unprecedented IAEA monitoring for 25 years.
In return, the group of negotiators will lift all nuclear, banking, oil and gas sanctions imposed on Iran on suspicion of the illicit pursuit of nuclear weapon capabilities.
The sides negotiated to retain a five-year UN arms embargo and eight-year missile embargo on Iran, as well as a snapback mechanism of sanctions in the event of non-compliance with the deal.
