The official economic sanctions that were strangling Iran were lifted a short time ago. The United States and the European Union have agreed to move ahead with the implementation of lifting sanctions as part of the deal brokered between Iran and the West by the United Stated.

The lifting of the sanctions followed the release of a statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has complied with its requirements under the deal.

The following statement was released by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s office after the announced lifting of sanctions.

“Israel will continue to monitor the implementation of the agreement and will warn about any violation.

“Even after the signing of the nuclear agreement, Iran has not relinquished its aspiration to obtain nuclear weapons and it will continue to undermine stability in the Middle East and spread terrorism around the world while violating its international obligations.

‘The major powers and the IAEA must closely monitor activity at Iran’s nuclear installations and other sites in order to verify that it is not continuing to develop nuclear weapons in secret. Unless there is an appropriate response to each violation, Iran will understand that it can continue to develop nuclear weapons, undermine regional stability and spread terrorism.

“Israel will continue to monitor the situation and warn about Iran’s negative activity, and will do everything necessary to safeguard its security and defend itself.”

At the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, 7 Shevat, the Prime Minister added “Following the nuclear agreement with Iran, Israel will continue to monitor all of Iran’s international violations, including regarding the nuclear agreement, the ballistic missile agreement and terrorism. The international community must enact severe and aggressive sanctions against each violation. Were it not for our efforts to lead sanctions and thwart Iran’s nuclear program, Iran would have had nuclear weapons some time ago. Israel’s policy is exactly as it has been – not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. What is clear is that Iran will now have more resources to divert to terrorism and its aggression in the region and around the world, and Israel is prepared to deal with any threat.

“Discussions with the American administration are currently being completed on a document of understandings for the coming decade regarding security assistance to the State of Israel. This is an important part of permanent policy between us and the United States, our ally, and it is important in order to repel threats in the region, especially the Iranian threat”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)