Nuclear security

The mechanism behind the Iran nuclear deal goes into motion

The Iran nuclear deal moved closer to reality Sunday as the United States and the European Union laid the legal groundwork for the eventual lifting of sanctions against the Islamic republic.

President Obama signed an order directing government agencies to prepare to issue waivers on sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear program. The European Union announced legal actions that clear the way for the release of an estimated $100 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

Those measures will not take effect for months, and then only if Tehran satisfactorily meets the conditions spelled out in a landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, including the United States.