Bern becomes first to lift bans on Tehran
By Sara Rajabova
European countries, along with Tehran, have also suffered from the sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear energy program, which the West claimed was aimed at developing a nuclear weapon.
As a result of the bans, energy-hungry European countries had lost access to the vast Iranian market.
After the nuclear deal between P5+1 and Iran, European countries have once again earned a chance to restore relations with the Islamic Republic and engage in Iranian economic projects.
Now the only obstacle in this regard is the lifting of sanctions, as the bans on the country will be gradually removed depending on whether Iran abides by its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached in Vienna on July 14.
However, some European countries have already decided to lift bans on the Islamic Republic.
Switzerland has lifted sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, calling the agreement reached between Tehran and the global powers in July a “turning point”.
The Swiss government said in a statement announced on August 12 that the country would officially lift sanctions on August 13 that had been suspended since January 2014, the Iranian media reported.
"The Federal Council wishes today's steps to be seen as a sign of its support for the implementation of the nuclear agreement and its interest in deepening bilateral relations with Iran," the statement reads.
The bans were on the transactions of precious metals, petrochemicals, crude oil and petroleum, insurance and reinsurance, as well as obligations in relation to money transfers.
Bern also removed sanctions against eight Iranian persons and organizations.
The Swiss Federal Council stressed in its announcement that it sought to promote a broad political and economic exchange with Iran, and pursued a consistent, neutral, and balanced policy toward the Islamic republic.
Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter said in July, after international negotiators reached a nuclear deal with Iran, that Bern had to implement the conditions outlined in the deal as soon possible.
However, the United States is in no hurry to lift sanctions on Iran as Switzerland has.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Washington has no intention to follow the example of Switzerland, noting U.S. sanctions remain in place and penalties would still apply to any country or company that violates them.
"We will not remove the sanctions acting under the Joint Action Plan, until the IAEA voices satisfaction that Iran has taken all necessary steps relating to its nuclear program. Our position has not changed," Toner said in daily briefing.
He noted that the U.S. wasn’t informed in advance of the Swiss move to drop sanctions before Iran had taken the promised steps to curb its nuclear program and before the U.S., European Union, and United Nations had removed their penalties.
Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in a landmark deal with the P5+1 group of negotiators, including Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France, and Germany on July 14.
The UN Security Council voted to abolish its previous anti-Iran resolutions on July 20, and the EU Foreign Affairs Council voted in favor of the deal the same day.
The deal, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, is yet to be approved or rejected by the U.S. Congress this fall.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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