South Africa has welcomed the political agreement reached in the nuclear talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P5+1 states which include China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“The successful agreement on a political framework once again demonstrates that diplomacy and negotiations are the only way to find sustainable solutions to international conflicts,” Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.

The agreement was reached in Switzerland on Thursday.

Monyela said a successful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue will also provide a major boost to the efforts to reverse the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.   

South Africa has always maintained that the dispute over the Iranian nuclear programme should be resolved peacefully.

“The South African government gives its full encouragement and support to the negotiators in the weeks ahead as they work to conclude a comprehensive agreement by 30 June 2015,” Monyela said.

He said South Africa has consistently recognised Iran’s inalienable right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in line with the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).