VIENNA -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Iran has met its obligations to the UN atomic watchdog and has ordered that nuclear-related U.S. economic sanctions against Iran be lifted.
In a statement, Kerry said the sanctions termination provisions of Iran's landmark nuclear agreement are now in effect.
President Barack Obama delegated authority to Kerry to make the determination. Kerry's statement followed a determination by the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has complied with the deal to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Certification by the agency will allow Iran to immediately recoup some $100 billion in assets frozen overseas.
Iran will also see huge benefits from new oil, trade and financial opportunities after Western sanctions against it are lifted.
