Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Iran Hails Deal with World Powers as Recognition of Nuclear 'Rights' Iran`s leaders have welcomed a landmark nuclear agreement with world powers, calling it a recognition of Iranian nuclear rights and the beginning of an end to international sanctions. In a televised address Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the interim deal reached early Sunday in Geneva recognizes what Iran says is its "right" to enrich uranium. Iran says its enrichment work is for peaceful purposes. But Israel and Western powers fear Iran could enrich its uranium to the high purity needed to develop nuclear weapons. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry denied Iran`s interpretation of the deal reached with Washington and five other world powers. He told reporters in Geneva that the document "does not say Iran has a right to enrichment." The six-month agreement calls for Iran to neutralize its stockpile of uranium enriched to 20 percent - a level a short step away from weapons-grade. But it allows Iran to continue enrichment below the five percent level. Earlier, U.S. President Barack Obama said the agreement will place "substantial limitations" on Iran`s enrichment and "cut off" what he called the nation`s "most likely paths to a bomb." He said the deal is a "first step" toward negotiations aimed at fully addressing international concerns about the Iranian nuclear program. In return for limiting enrichment, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany agreed to temporarily lift some international sanctions that have weakened the Iranian economy. The United States says Tehran will gain access to $4.2 billion in revenues from Iranian oil exports and $1.5 billion in proceeds from Iranian sales of precious metals, autos and petrochemicals. Iranian leaders hailed the deal as the start of a process of ending years of sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council and Western powers in retaliation for Iran`s refusal to suspend uranium enrichment. But in an interview with CNN broadcast later Sunday, Secretary Kerry said the concessions made by the world powers give "very little relief" to Iran. Israel, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, denounced the deal. Speaking Sunday to the Israeli Cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement a "historic mistake," saying it marks the first time the international community has "formally consented" to Iran continuing its enrichment. Mr. Netanyahu said Israel is "not bound" by the deal and "will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapons capability." Israeli leaders see a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to their nation`s existence because of Iran`s frequent calls for Israel`s demise. The United States and Israel have said they prefer a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, but they also have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-hails-deal-with-world-powers-as- recognition-of-nuclear-rights/1796631.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-hails-deal-with-world-powers-as-recognition-of-nuclear-rights/1796631.html