Iran's Rouhani says he expects sanctions to be lifted by end of 2015

For Iran and the six world powers privy to the nuclear accord to reach “Implementation Day,” Tehran must complete a series of steps.

By MICHAEL WILNER
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani attends a news conference in Shanghai (photo credit: REUTERS)
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani attends a news conference in Shanghai
(photo credit: REUTERS)
WASHINGTON – The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will be implemented by the end of the year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday, repeating his government’s ambitious goal of reaching the milestone in short order.
For Iran and the six world powers privy to the nuclear accord to reach “Implementation Day,” Tehran must complete a series of steps.
Those include neutering its plutonium reactor at Arak; reducing its nuclear enrichment capacity and stockpile; and increasing access and transparency at its declared nuclear facilities.
As soon as Iran completes all of these steps – a process the Obama administration believes will take four to six months – the agreement will be formally implemented and Iran will begin receiving sanctions relief.
But, “according to our plans, the oppressive sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran will be lifted by the end of 2015,” state news agency IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying during a ceremony to welcome the new Spanish ambassador to Tehran.
Complicating matters, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iran will not begin those tasks until the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency – the body tasked with policing the agreement – declares an end to its investigation into Iran’s past nuclear work.
Iran will hold parliamentary elections in February.