U.N. agency clears way for lifting of Iran sanctions
VIENNA/DUBAI | By Lesley Wroughton and Sam Wilkin
The United Nations' nuclear watchdog on Saturday confirmed that Iran has curtailed its nuclear program as agreed with world powers, paving the way for the almost immediate lifting of crippling sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
"Iran has carried out all measures required under the (July deal) to enable Implementation Day (of the deal) to occur," the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement.
The announcement triggers the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Nations and European Union within hours or days.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran and the United States eased decades of tension with the announcement of a prisoner swap.
With the removal of the sanctions, oil-producer Iran will now be back on the world economic stage.