After eight days of talks in Switzerland, Iran and world powers have reached a framework agreement on curbing Iran’s nuclear program for at least a decade. In return, the United States and Europe plan to lift economic sanctions on Iran. As part of the deal, Iran must reduce the number of its centrifuges that can be used to enrich uranium into a bomb by more than two-thirds. It also has to redesign a power plant so it cannot produce weapons-grade plutonium and be subject to regular international nuclear inspections. The parties must now reach a final agreement by June 30. President Obama said the deal was a good one.
President Obama: “Remember, I have always insisted that I will do what is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. And I will. But I also know that a diplomatic solution is the best way to get this done.”
Israel has condemned the deal, while Republican lawmakers are demanding the right to review it. We’ll have more on the deal after headlines.