TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday that the nuclear talks put an end to the Iranophobia project.

A false image of Iran had made any wrong move against the Islamic Republic justified, but the nuclear agreement made such acts unacceptable, Zarif said in a seminar on “post-sanctions” opportunities attended by rival political factions and journalists, etc.

The nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, went into effect on January 2016.

The JCPOA finally proved to the world that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful, he said, adding that it has also has provided an opportunity for cooperation with other countries.

He also said that the Iranians proved to the world that nothing against the country can be achieved through exerting pressure.

Zarif said the sanctions were aimed at distancing the Iranian people from government, but the Iranians showed that they determine their destiny through participation in elections.

The July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany) went into force on January 16, 2016.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif, who acted as the chief nuclear negotiator with the great powers, said that the opportunity created with the implementation of the deal should be seized in line with the interests of the country.

The nuclear accord, which removes sanctions against Iran in return for temporary limits on Iran’s nuclear activities, was implemented after the IAEA confirmed that Iran has complied with the terms of the agreement.

Since the deal went into force Iran has inked dozens of contracts with Italy and France at worth of about 50 billion dollars. Since the implementation day Iran has also set a 25-year strategic partnership with China.

NA/PA