Nuclear Deal Boosted Iran's Int'l Stature

A deputy foreign minister said the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers significantly enhanced Iran's standing in the international arena.

Abbas Araqchi, who was also a senior nuclear negotiator, also said the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, completely changed Iran's international position, enabling the Islamic Republic to play a more influential role in the global community.

"In the post-JCPOA era, Iran turned into a more active player in [dealing with] issues of international importance," he said, adding that the United Nations Security Council now recognizes the Islamic Republic as a guarantor of peace and security in Syria, Press TV reported.

JCPOA was signed in July 2015 between Tehran on the one hand and the US, the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany, on the other.

The deal, which was later enshrined in a legally-binding UNSC resolution, rolled back nuclear-related sanctions against Iran in return for temporary curbs on its nuclear program.

Araqchi said the Americans have themselves said that it has been "the worst bruise to their pride" to see that Iran and Russia sit and decide if Washington should participate in the Syria conflict resolution talks.

Iran, Russia and Turkey helped organize two days of peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups in Astana, Kazakhstan, last Monday and Tuesday.

The US ambassador in Astana attended the event as an observer at the invitation of the host country.