Iran framework nuclear agreement applauded

Yukiya Amano, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also lauded the framework agreement, for Iran is set to allow the agency more access to its nuclear sites.

"With the endorsement of the IAEA's Board of Governors, the Agency will be ready to fulfill its role in verifying the implementation of nuclear related measures, once the agreement is finalized," Amano said.

In a statement delivered in the White House Rose Garden, US President Barack Obama hailed the "historic" deal, saying it meets U.S. "core objectives" and will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb.

"Today, the United States, together with our allies and partners, has reached a historic understanding with Iran, which, if fully implemented, will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon," the president said.

According to the White House, Obama also spoke to leaders of Britain, France and Germany respectively, in which they affirmed that the framework "represents significant progress" toward a "lasting" and "comprehensive" solution to the long-running disputes over Iran's nuclear program.

In Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the framework nuclear agreement will have positive impact on the situation in the Middle East.

"There is no doubt that agreements on Iran nuclear program will have a positive impact on the overall security situation in the Middle East, including the fact that Tehran will be able to take a more active part in the resolution of a number of existing regional problems and conflicts," RIA Novosti quoted the ministry as saying.