Main reactions to Iran nuclear deal

PARIS - Iran and world powers reached a preliminary accord Sunday curbing Tehran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, the biggest breakthrough in a decade-old standoff.

It was widely praised as a step towards making the world safer but Israel criticised the deal as giving the Islamic republic too much and failing to guarantee it would not get the bomb.

Here are the main reactions to the Geneva deal:

US President Barack Obama

"Today, the United States -- together with our close allies and partners - took an important first step toward a comprehensive solution that addresses our concerns with the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear programme."

US Secretary of State John Kerry

"This first step, I want to emphasise, actually rolls back the programme from where it is today, enlarges the breakout time, which would not have occurred unless this agreement existed. It will make our partners in the region safer. It will make our ally Israel safer."

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei:

"God's grace and the support of the Iranian nation were the reasons behind this success."

"Resistance against excessive demands should be the criteria for (nuclear) officials."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

"This agreement benefits all regional countries and global peace."

"Constructive engagement (in addition to) tireless efforts by negotiating teams are to open new horizons."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

"What was achieved yesterday in Geneva is not a historic agreement but rather a historic mistake."

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman

"This agreement is the greatest diplomatic victory of Iran, which has gained recognition for its so-called legitimate right to enrich uranium."

Russian President Vladimir Putin

"A breakthrough step has been made, but only the first on a long and difficult path."

"As the result of talks... we managed to get closer to untying one of the most difficult knots in world politics."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

"This agreement will help to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation system, (and) safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague

"Iran has made a lot of concessions, a lot of commitment here, as part of a 'first step' deal."

French President Francois Hollande

"The interim accord reached overnight is an important step in the right direction... towards stopping Iran's military nuclear programme and therefore normalising our ties."

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

The accord "confirms Iran's right to civilian nuclear energy but rules out access to the nuclear weapon."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

The accord "could turn out to be the beginnings of a historic agreement for the peoples and nations of the Middle East region and beyond."

European Union President Herman Van Rompuy

"It is now crucial to ensure punctual implementation of the agreement reached and to continue working, on the basis of the trust that is being built, towards a definitive settlement of this issue."

Syrian Foreign Ministry

Syria "considers it to be a historic accord which guarantees the interests of the brotherly Iranian people and acknowledges their right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy."

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida

"Our country has consistently called on Iran to exercise flexibility on the matter. We want to keep a close watch in a way to help implement this agreement."

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin

"India welcomes the prospect of resolving questions related to Iran's nuclear programme through dialogue and diplomacy."

Palestinian president spokesman Nabil Abou Roudeina

"The international efforts that concluded in Geneva should be a chance to activate the role of the Quartet for the Middle East (United States, Russia, EU, UN) to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict."

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano

The deal "is another important step forward following the agreement reached between the Agency and Iran on 11 November... With the agreement of the IAEA's Board of Governors, the Agency will be ready to fulfil its role in verifying the implementation of nuclear related measures."

AFP