West prepares to end trade sanctions as Iran deal adopted

Washington

THE United States and Europe on Sunday prepared to lift the trade sanctions that have hobbled the Iranian economy, as a historic nuclear deal came into effect.

The procedure to lift the embargo began 90 days after the UN Security Council endorsed the accord signed in Vienna in July, a milestone referred to as "adoption day". But foreign firms will not be able to resume ties with Iran's oil industry and banks right away - sanctions will remain in place until Iran fulfils its end of the bargain.