Iran celebrates lifting of sanctions

While Iran expresses joy over the lifting of sanctions on its economy, Israel is bracing itself for more terror and regional strife.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff

Iran celebrated the lifting of the sanctions by the US and the European Union (EU) on its economy as part of the implementation of the nuclear deal.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the official implementation Saturday of the landmark deal reached between Tehran and six world powers has satisfied all parties except what he termed as “radical extremists” and Israel.

Speaking in the parliament in comments broadcast live on state television, Rouhani said, “In (implementing) the deal, all are happy except Zionists, warmongers, sowers of discord among Islamic nations and extremists in the US. The rest are happy.”

Rouhani said the deal has “opened new windows for engagement with the world.”

A strong supporter of the agreement, Rouhani sent out a celebratory tweet calling it a “glorious victory” late Saturday night while the speeches in Vienna were still taking place.

With news of the deal’s implementation breaking long after midnight in Tehran, there was no repeat of the boisterous street celebrations that met agreement in July on the accord, but social media networking sites were abuzz.

“Hello to life without sanctions,” said one message. Another praised both Zarif and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose taking office in 2013 led to the start of serious negotiations after years of essential deadlock. “Thank you Rouhani,” one said. “Thank you Zarif.”

In the meantime, Israel warned the world has become a more dangerous place and vowed to monitor Iran’s actions and expose any violations of the nuclear deal.