CRI听力:Washington Reaction to Iran Nuclear Agreement

Time's up as the congressional review period expires and the Obama administration successfully swerves last ditch Republican attempts to kill a deal a decade in the making.

Speaking on the eve of the deadline US secretary of State John Kerry, the man who built international support for the agreement, said diplomacy had won through.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry: "Iran made a fundamental decision that they wanted to change their direction, end their isolation with the world and that that was more important than pursuing a nuclear weapons program".

The accord will see tough financial sanctions on Iran eased in exchange for the Islamic republic's dismantling of its nuclear program and uNPRecedented access to atomic facilities. Further down the line, Iran may also reopen its economy to foreign investment. But for Fred Flietz, with the Center for Security Policy, that shift should come with a warning.

Fred Flietz, with the Center for Security Policy: "It's a terrible place to invest the business climate is awful, there's a concern among western businessman of what can happen to them, they know that Americans have been arrested for no reason in Iran, there's also a concern by many international firms that if a republican is elected next year he or she is going to implement harsh sanctions on Iran and any investment will be lost."

The deal has placed immense strain on US ties with its close ally Israel, which fears unfrozen assets will be used by Iran to fund malign activities in the middle east, - Speaking at the White House spokesperson Josh earnest said the issue will feature in discussions in Washington when the Israeli Prime Minister meets with President Obama in November.

Josh Earnest, White House Spokesperson: "The president looks forward to discussing with the Prime Minister regional security issues including implementation of the joint comprehensive plan of action to peacefully and veritably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon".

While the review period is over, implementing the conditions of the deal could, according to US observers, be some months away. Largely dependent on evidence that Iran is upholding it's end of the deal.

For CRI I'm Kevin McAleese in Washington.