CRI听力:EU, U.S. Announce Sanction Lift on Iran

Federica Mogherini, European Union's foreign policy chief, announced the decision at a press briefing in Vienna.

"As Iran has fulfilled its commitments, today multilateral and national economic and financial sanctions related to Iran's nuclear programme are lifted in accordance with the JCPOA. The EU and E3+3 countries consisting of the People's Republic of China, Republic of France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America and Iran will also cooperate in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the framework of the JCPOA."

Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Mogherini jointly announced the landmark nuclear deal's implementation.

Mogherini hailed the day as an example of the fact that diplomacy can resolve tough issues.

For his part, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also spoke highly of Iran's implementation on the JCPOA.

"Iran has undertaken significant steps, that many, and I do mean many people, doubted would ever come to pass. And that should be recognized even though the full measure of this achievement can only be realized by assuring continued full compliance in the coming years. In return for the steps that Iran has taken, the United States and the EU will immediately lift nuclear-related sanctions, expanding the horizon of opportunity for the Iranian people. "

As part of the deal, Iran has promised to provide more transparency of its nuclear program, letting the UN nuclear inspectors be able to monitor Tehran's atomic plan.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday hailed the lifting of sanctions against his country, calling it a victory for the nation.

"In the nuclear deal, no party has beaten another party. The Iranian nation has won. Nobody was beaten in the nuclear deal, neither inside the country, nor among the countries that negotiated with us. Everyone is happy with the agreement except those who provoke division among Muslims and radicals in the US. Everybody else is happy. This deal will bring us development and progress, interaction with the world and co-ordination in our actions."

The lifting of sanctions will unfreeze a huge amount of assets and allow Iranian oil to be sold internationally, and Tehran would also be able to get access to the international financial system after being isolated for years.

Tehran is reportedly to buy over 100 planes from Airbus after being brought back into the international market.

It also said it could significantly increase its oil output as soon as the sanctions are lifted.

The White House said U.S. President Barack Obama has signed an executive order to lift sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program.

Obama's announcement to lift sanctions on Iran came just hours after Iran said it had released four Americans, including a Washington Post reporter, Jason Rezaian, as part of a prisoner swap with the United States.

U.S. media reported that Washington will either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians in exchange for the prisoner swap.

The seven Iranians -- six of whom are dual citizens -- were either accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions.

For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.