US President Barack Obama has welcomed a "historic undestanding" reached between the US and Iran on Iran's nuclear programme.
Following eight days of talks with the United States, Iran, European Union and four other major powers in Lausanne, Switzerland, an outline agreement was reached today on the future of Iran's nuclear programme. The deal with be finalised by June 30.
"We have an historic opportunity to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in Iran and to do so peacefully," President Obamam said in an address following the agreement.
“If Iran cheats, the world will know it. If we see something suspicious we will inspect it. Iran’s past efforts to weaponise its programme will be addressed. With this deal Iran will face more inspections than any other country in the world,” he said.
"The issues at stake are bigger than politics. These are matters of war and peace," he said.
The European Union and Iran today announced the deal, with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini saying Iran's "enrichment capacity and stockpile would be limited," the BBC reports.
Ms Mogherini and Iran's Foreign Minsiter Javad Zarid announced the deal with a joint-statement.
Iran has agreed that most of its enriched uranium will be diluted or shipped abroad, while a reactor in the city of Arak will now be restricted.
"Iran has also agreed to the most robust and intrusive inspections and transparency regime ever negotiated for any nuclear program," Mr OBama said. These inspections will be carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
