Nigeria, UN Security Council Endorse Iran Nuclear Deal

Nigeria and the 14 other members of the United Nations Security Council on Monday endorsed a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, but it will be able to re-impose U.N. penalties during the next decade if Tehran breaches the historic agreement.

The agreement was reached between the five permanent members of the council (plus Germany, P5+1) and Iran. The deal mandates ‎Iran to stop any plans to produce a nuclear weapon and obliges the country to reduce its centrifuges by two thirds. It also creates extensive mechanism to monitor Iran’s compliance with the agreement.

In return, UN sanctions imposed on the Islamic country will be gradually lifted. Iran will be subjected to long-term curbs on a nuclear program that the West suspected was aimed at creating an atomic bomb, but which Tehran says is peaceful.

Once sanctions relief can be implemented, seven previous U.N. resolutions will be terminated and the measures contained in the resolution adopted on Monday will come into effect. The resolution allows for supply of ballistic missile technology and heavy weapons, such as tanks and attack helicopters, to Iran with Security Council approval, but the United States has pledged to veto any such requests.