Iran: Iran foreign minister ‘Javed Zarif’ says,  International sanctions on Iran will be lifted on Saturday (today), when the United Nations (UN) nuclear agency declares Tehran has complied with an agreement to scale back its nuclear program.The UN nuclear watchdog was to issue its final report in Vienna on Saturday. “All oppressive sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic will be annulled today,” Zarif said, according to Press TV. He added, ” This is a very good day for the Iranian people and for the region”.

Under the Iran nuclear deal, Iran agreed to scale down its nuclear activities in return for lifting of economic sanctions that will open channels for the country’s oil to reach world markets. Iran had agreed to limit its enriched uranium stockpile and phase out centrifuges from the current stockpile of 19,000 to 6,000 in 10 years. Earlier this week, Iran claimed that it had removed the core of its Arak nuclear reactor, thus, cutting the country’s ability to yield nuclear bomb-grade plutonium.

Last month, Iran had shipped most of its low-enriched uranium to Russia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to address the nation through the state television on Saturday.