Iran: Zarif returns home to hero's welcome following nuclear deal

Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif returned to Tehran on Wednesday, following the successful conclusion of the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. Zarif was accompanied by fellow negotiator Ali Akbar Salehi, the Head of Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. On Tuesday a deal was reached between the P5+1 group and Iran over the latter's nuclear programme. Representatives from Iran, Russia, Germany, France, UK, US and China, were locked in negotiations for 17 days, extending a self-imposed deadline three times during that period. The major powers agreed to relieve some sanctions imposed on Iran in return for Iran accepting curbs on its nuclear programme. Under this agreement, Iran will be able to maintain its nuclear infrastructure with energetic purposes. The deal also includes the provision that the United Nations arms embargo on Iran is to remain in place for the next five years. The US Congress has up to 60 days to consider the agreement. Though US President Barack Obama has stated that he would veto any attempt to block the deal. The text, signed by the P5+1 group and Iran has an estimated 100 pages, and some of the clauses were provisionally settled in Lausanne in April.