Hammond hails ‘historic’ Iran nuclear activity deal

Tehran agrees to inspection of sites in exchange for easing sanctions

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has hailed the “historic” agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear activities in return for easing sanctions.

After a decade-long attempt to broker a deal, Tehran has agreed to allow UN inspectors access to sites.

Some international sanctions will be lifted, a move that is expected to free up billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets around the world.

Mr Hammond, one of the ministers involved in the Vienna talks, said he recognised the concerns of Iran’s neighbours at such a move but insisted Britain stood firm against any “Iranian interference in their internal affairs”.

He said: “After more than a decade of tough negotiations we have reached an historic agreement that will impose strict limits and inspections on Iran’s nuclear programme.

“Under the agreement, Iran will grant the International Atomic Energy Agency access to verify adherence to the restrictions placed on its nuclear programme, giving the international community confidence that the programme is, and will remain, exclusively peaceful.

“In return, once Iran has taken key steps to introduce these restrictions, the international community will lift some of its sanctions on Iran, delivering significant economic and financial benefits.

“Having reached this important agreement, our focus will now be on its swift and full implementation to make sure that a nuclear weapon remains beyond Iran’s reach.

“We recognise the concern in the region about Iran’s historic pattern of regional activity. We will maintain our clear position in support of the Gulf states and against Iranian interference in their internal affairs.

“We hope, and expect, that this agreement will herald a step-change in Iran’s relations with its neighbours.”