Sanctions Against Iran Should Be Lifted as Soon as Possible – Swiss FM

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — International sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program should be lifted as soon as possible since the agreement concerning the program has been reached, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter said Sunday.

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 group of international mediators, comprising Russia, China, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, reached an agreement ensuring the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program and easing sanctions against the country.

"The lifting of sanctions, I think, must take place as soon as possible, and the objective of our actions should be the implementation of the conditions outlined in the agreement," Burkhalter told the Neue Zuercher Zeitung newspaper.

He said the issue would be thoroughly considered by Swiss authorities but did not specify the dates for the sanctions lifting.

On July 15, the UN Security Council received a resolution on Iran, reviewing the UN-imposed economic sanctions against the country, which include an embargo on nuclear and ballistic missile programs, a ban on the arms trade with Iran, as well as travel bans and asset freezes of designated individuals and entities.

According to a draft document prepared by the P5+1 group and Iran last week, a new resolution to approve an agreement between international mediators and Tehran will replace previous decisions regarding the Iranian nuclear issue.

The resolution is up for voting in the Security Council on July 20.