Breakthrough in Lausanne: sanctions to be removed

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said at a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that the P5+1 group of international mediators plus Iran have reached an agreement on the political principles of a comprehensive agreement with the Islamic Republic.

"Today we have taken a decisive step. We have reached solutions on key parameters of a joint comprehensive plan of action. The political determination, the goodwill and the hard work of all parties made it possible," TASS cited her as saying.

She added that this is a crucial declaration laying the agreed basis for the final text of the joint comprehensive plan of action. 

According to her, Fordow will be converted from an enrichment site into a nuclear physics and technology center. "There will not be any fissile material at Fordow," she said.

Uranium enrichment will occur in the Nathan nuclear center.

According to her, the agreement of the P5+1 group of international mediators plus Iran on its nuclear program will require the approval of the UN Security Council. Mogherini also reported that experts have started to work on the text of a joint comprehensive plan of action between Iran and the P5+1.

Iran's enrichment opportunities will be limited and stocks of enriched uranium will be removed. "As Iran pursues the development of peaceful nuclear energy, its ability to enrich uranium and industrial output and stocks of enriched uranium will be limited," she said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in his turn, also said that the US, Europe, and UN Security Council will remove their sanctions after Iran fulfills its end of the deal. According to him, none of the country's nuclear facilities would be dismantled.

He said that "no agreement has been reached, so we do not have any obligation yet".