Six world powers and Iran struck one of the most significant post-cold war diplomatic deals yesterday, reversing almost a decade of economic isolation for the Islamic republic in return for limits on its nuclear programme.
If it survives objections of opponents in Washington and Tehran, the deal to end a 12-year nuclear-stand-off is expected to unfreeze more than $100bn in Iranian assets and prompt a flood of investment while stunting the country’s ability to make a nuclear bomb for at least a decade.
Barack Obama defended what is the boldest gamble of his presidency as a “comprehensive long-term deal” with Iran that will head-off “a nuclear arms race in the Middle East”. Facing congressional scrutiny and criticism from Republican presidential contenders,