Iran signs historic nuclear deal with West

(Vatican Radio)  After nearly a decade of negotiations, world powers and Iran have reached an historic deal that will keep Iran from producing enough material for a nuclear weapon for at least 10 years.

Listen to Nathan Morley's report:

International economic sanctions will now be lifted in return for Iran rolling back its nuclear activities.

Iran will now have to dispose of 98 percent of its enriched uranium, remove two-thirds of installed centrifuges and allow Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to the country when requested.

Speaking on national television, the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described a new chapter in Tehran’s relations with the west, adding that the prayers of Iranians had been answered.

"The sanctions regime was never successful, but at the same time it affected people's lives,” he said.

The US President Barak Obama said the world would be "safer and more secure" with the new deal.

Iran has been accused by some countries in the west of seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons, but Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, such as power generation.

Talks brokered by the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany kicked off in 2006.