Obama orders steps towards lifting US sanctions on Iran

US President Barack Obama addresses a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington October 16, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON -- US President Barack Obama on Sunday ordered his administration to take steps to lift sanctions on Iran by implementing the Iranian nuclear deal reached in July.

"I hereby direct you to take all necessary steps to give effect to the US commitments with respect to sanctions" on Iran, Obama said in a memorandum to US secretaries of state, energy, commerce and the treasury.

The steps will take effect upon confirmation by the Secretary of State that Iran has met its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Obama said in the memorandum issued by the White House.

Obama issued the order on the so-called "Adoption Day," 90 days for the United Nations Security Council endorsed the Iranian deal.

The "Adoption Day" means Iran and the P5+1 -- namely the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany -- will start implementing the obligations under the Iranian nuclear deal.

But the sanction on Iran will not be lifted immediately on the "Adoption Day," and the US has said that no relief from the sanctions will take place until the International Atomic Energy Agency verifies that Iran has fully complied with the terms of the agreement.

On July 14, Iran reached the JCPOA with P5+1 over its controversial nuclear program after more than 18 months of marathon talks.

Under the deal, all of the nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran will be lifted if the Islamic republic is proved to abide by the deal over the next 10 years step-by-step.