Zarif Hopeful ahead of Iran Nuclear Deal Implementation

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday he was hopeful the implementation of a landmark deal with world powers would lead to a lasting agreement over Tehran’s nuclear drive.

The deal clinched in Geneva in November and finalized last week is to go into effect on Monday and puts temporary curbs on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

“I hope the implementation of the first phase ofFM Zarif the Geneva (Joint) Plan of Action — that will begin tomorrow — will bring positive results for the country, as well as regional and global peace and security,” Zarif said in remarks posted on his Facebook page.

“And that it will pave the ground for substantial negotiations for the final solution,” he said about talks with the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany which are known as the P5+1.

Clinched after years of tough negotiations, the accord will last for six months and gives Iran access to nearly $4.2 billion of frozen assets in return for Tehran limiting its enrichment of uranium to five percent.

Iran must also begin to neutralize its stockpile of uranium purified to 20 percent, a few technical steps short of weapons-grade.

Both measures are to be monitored and verified by the inspectors from the UN atomic agency IAEA, who are presently in Iran.