Obama's Order to Lift Sanctions on Iran on the Day of Nuclear Agreement Implementation

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, took a significant executive step towards fulfilling U.S. commitments under the nuclear agreement by instructing his government on Sunday, October 18, to lift sanctions against Iran on the day the nuclear agreement is implemented. According to a report by Agence France-Presse, Mr. Obama stated in his directive: "All appropriate actions should be taken for the swift and effective implementation of U.S. commitments under the nuclear agreement on the day of its implementation." Based on the comprehensive nuclear agreement reached between Iran and world powers, the implementation day will be the day the International Atomic Energy Agency confirms that the Islamic Republic has complied with its commitments regarding the reduction of uranium enrichment levels, the reduction of its enriched materials, and the modification of the Arak heavy water facility. The President's directive was issued 90 days after the United Nations Security Council approved the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers through a resolution. This day is referred to in the nuclear agreement as the "Acceptance Day," which is different from the "Implementation Day." Mr. Obama noted in his directive: "This is an important day for all of us and the first step in a process that assures us that Iran's nuclear program will remain solely for peaceful purposes." The order to lift or suspend U.S. sanctions against Iran on the day of the nuclear agreement's implementation coincides with the Islamic Republic announcing to the International Atomic Energy Agency that it will begin the temporary implementation of the Additional Protocol prohibiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons on the day of the agreement's implementation.