Iran agrees to limits on its nuclear activities

GENEVA (NEWS1130) – It’s an “important first step” and a “new path” toward a more secure world.

That’s how US President Barack Obama characterizes an agreement that will see Iran limit its nuclear activities.

The deal effectively freezes the progress of the country’s nuclear program for six months.

Iran will halt use of its next generation centrifuges and its plutonium reactor, to ensure the world it is not building nuclear weapons.

In return some economic sanctions against Iran will be lifted.

Andre Gerolymatos, a former member of the Canadian Advisory Council on National Security, says the country’s ties with militant groups were making the world uneasy.

“Iranians are supporting Hezbollah. Hezbollah is fighting with government forces in Syria. The hope is that if they can get Iran not to be rogue nation any more,  they will participate in bringing some stability to the region.”

It’s the first sign in three decades that frosty relations between Iran and the US are finally over. Gerolymatos says the move speaks volumes about new president Hassan Rouhani.

“He’s making an effort to show that he’s open to the West, that he’s not one hundred per cent hostile to the US or even to Israel.”

Reaction in Israel not so positive

A senior Israeli cabinet minister is criticizing the international deal over Iran’s nuclear program.

Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz, who is responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear program, says there is no reason for the world to be celebrating. He says the deal, reached in Geneva early Sunday, is based on “Iranian deception and self-delusion.”

It was the first Israeli reaction to the deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to discuss the matter with his Cabinet later Sunday.

Israel believes Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon. In recent weeks, Israel had warned the emerging deal would give Iran too much relief from economic sanctions without halting Iran’s march toward a nuclear bomb.