UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday that endorsed the historic deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.

All 15 members of the council voted for the resolution which endorsed the agreement reached last week in Vienna between Iran, on the one hand, and the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, on the other, after 18 straight days of negotiations.

“The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously,” announced New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully, who was presiding over the meeting.

Know more: Iran nuclear deal: World leaders voice relief

The resolution called for “full implementation on the timetable established” in the agreement and urged UN member countries to facilitate the process.

Under the accord, Tehran would curb for a decade its nuclear programme which western countries alleged was aimed at producing an atomic bomb. In return, the European Union and the US would relax economic sanctions they imposed on Iran.

Sanctions to end after major steps to curb nuclear programme

The resolution also provides a mechanism for UN sanctions to “snap back” in place if Iran fails to meet its obligations under the stipulation of the agreement.

Many key restrictions imposed on the Iranian economy, such as those related to the energy and financial sectors, could be lifted by the end of the year.

The resolution specifies that seven resolutions related to UN sanctions will be terminated when Iran has completed a series of major steps to curb its nuclear programme and the International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded that “all nuclear material in Iran remains in peaceful activities”.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the adoption of the resolution.

In a statement, he said: “The resolution provides for the eventual removal of all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. It guarantees that the International Atomic Energy Agency will continue to verify Iran’s compliance with its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA.

“The United Nations stands ready to provide whatever assistance is required in giving effect to the resolution.”

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2015

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