Iran and world powers reached an outline accord that keeps them on track to end a decade-long nuclear dispute, allowing three more months to nail down differences and reach a final settlement.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini hailed a “decisive step” in the 18-month process. Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced the accord at a press conference late Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland, venue for more than a week of talks that missed their original deadline and often stretched into overnight sessions.

President Barack Obama said the result of their work was an “historic understanding” that will prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. “If Iran cheats the world will know it,” though so far it has “met all its obligations,” Obama said in televised remarks. He said Congress will be fully briefed.

The accord will set a schedule for Iran’s enrichment of uranium, limit it to a single site and allow international monitoring over the next quarter-century. It will extend the “break-out” period that Iran would need to obtain nuclear weapons to more than a year. The U.S. and European Union will lift the economic sanctions that have crippled the Islamic Republic’s economy once inspectors verify its compliance.

“This is a deal that both sides can take back home and defend,” said Ali Vaez, a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group, who attended the talks. “The Iranians are getting what they wanted in terms of sanctions relief and are offering more in terms of nuclear access than they had said publicly.”

David Fuller's view

I am very pleasantly surprised.  The devil may be in the details, of course, not least concerning verification.  Nevertheless, there was little to lose in holding these negotiations and if an agreement is finalised, honoured and maintained, it would be a momentous achievement. 

The last thing the world needed was a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.  If this can be avoided, and that is still a big IF, it will not end the Sunni-Shia conflict.  However, it might just avoid the countdown to a holocaust in the region. 

If a credible, fully verifiable nuclear accord is shortly reached following this outline; widespread relief would be a form of peace dividend.  It would also be the crowning achievement of the Obama presidency.  Meanwhile, for many of us it is an encouraging development to ponder over the short Easter break.   

Please note: Because of the Easter break this service will resume on Tuesday 7^th April.