Published on 12:00 AM, January 18, 2016

IRAN NUKE SANCTIONS END

All happy except Israel

Says Rouhani, claims deal is a win for all negotiating parties

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) is greeted during a session at the Iranian parliament to present the draft budget for the next Iranian fiscal year in Tehran yesterday. Iran has "opened a new chapter" in its ties with the world, Rouhani said, hours after sanctions were lifted under its historic nuclear deal with global powers. Photo: Reuters

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday that the official implementation of the landmark deal reached between Tehran and six world powers has satisfied all parties except radical extremists.

Speaking before the parliament in comments broadcast live on state television, Rouhani said, "In (implementing) the deal, all are happy except Zionists, warmongers, sowers of discord among Islamic nations and extremists in the US. The rest are happy."

Rouhani said the deal has "opened new windows for engagement with the world."

A strong supporter of the agreement, Rouhani sent out a celebratory tweet calling it a "glorious victory" late Saturday night while the speeches in Vienna were still taking place.

Rouhani also said the deal was a win for all negotiating parties and all factions inside Iran. "Nobody has been defeated in the deal neither inside the country nor the countries that were negotiating with us," he said, referring to the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany.

Rouhani said Iran should use the expected influx of money and investments to spark the "economic mutation" of the country, creating jobs and enhancing quality-of-life for Iranian citizens. Iran has been suffering double-digit inflation and unemployment rates for years.

He also said Iran now needs political tranquility to best benefit from the new economic reality. "All should prevent any domestic and foreign trivialities that thwart us," he said. "Any irrelevant and diverting dispute is against national expedience."

Meanwhile, four Iranian-American citizens freed by Iran in a prisoner swap with the United States have left Tehran and are flying to Bern in Switzerland, Iranian state television reported yesterday.