Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has welcomed the multi country agreement that will end a 12 year standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“This Agreement is a victory for dialogue and it has proved all the negative naysayers wrong.

“I, along with many others, have argued that dialogue, rather than threats and sanctions, were the only viable way of resolving this issue.

“Sinn Féin have long argued for a new approach to Iran and its people. We believe that the Irish Government should reopen its Embassy in Tehran and have argued consistently for the European Union negotiators to press forward for a deal.

“Iran is an important country in the Middle East and attempts to isolate them politically and economically from the international community were always a negative development.

“Iran had signed up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and under this treaty it always had a right to develop nuclear technologies for civilian and peaceful purposes.

“Iranian religious and political leaders have publicly stated that the making or possession of a nuclear weapon is morally wrong and against their religious ethos.

“Unfortunately the only country with nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as well as a non-signatory to the NPT, Israel has opposed this positive Agreement.

“Saudi Arabia has also sought to thwart the deal, which is not surprising considering their own selfish interests in the region that has increasing led to the rise of well armed, funded, and trained fundamentalist Jihadi groups.

“I commend all those individuals, NGO’s, Governments, and negotiators who have consistently argued for dialogue over sanctions and aggression.

“This deal is a game changer and truly historic. It opens the potential to move in a new direction and is a positive boost to many others across the globe who are engaged in conflict resolution.

“It has the potential to break the log jam and free the very real potential of greater co-operation and cohesion in tackling problems of conflict, sovereignty and self determination for people living in this region.”

ENDS