Commentary: Iran deal triumph for diplomacy, earnest implementation crucial

Those who have waited anxiously in the past 20-plus months for a comprehensive deal on Iran's nuclear issue could breath a sigh of relief Tuesday as parties are confirmed to have finally clinched after marathon talks a deal that represents a huge triumph for diplomacy.

The deal, which is confirmed to impose limits on the Iranian nuclear program in return for lifting economic sanctions, fleshes out a framework agreement reached in early April between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) and Iran.

The comprehensive agreement, a result of strong political will and persistent efforts of all parties involved, enormously boosts the morale of the believers of diplomatic solutions.

The document also charts the path for resolving a flashpoint issue in the Middle East and contributes in no small amount to the global system of nuclear non-proliferation.

As known to many, the road leading to the historically significant document is by no means a smooth one, and a breakthrough along the way has been realized only when parties are willing to accommodate concerns of others instead of pursuing their own interests in a headstrong manner.

During the talks, the Chinese delegates have repeatedly called on all parties to exert more political will so as to seek a package of solutions that takes all parties' concerns into account.

As a party of the P5+1 mechanism, China has actively participated in the prolonged and taxing negotiation process and made its contributions by putting forward constructive proposals at many critical junctures.

After years of frustration, the historical, far-reaching deal announced Tuesday is indeed worth celebration. However, there is no room for complacence as the implementation of the accord is nothing easier.

For example, due to the fact that the just-concluded talks have missed a July 7 deadline, the U.S. Congress now gets 60 days rather than 30 to assess the deal as lawmakers will head for summer recess in August.

The longer period for review makes it harder to the Obama administration to sell the deal to a skeptical Congress, which claims that the administration has conceded too much in the talks.

Without a nod from Congress, Washington could not ease sanctions on Iran so as to start implementing the deal.

Members of the U.S. Congress should be reminded that by not standing in the way of the implementation of the deal, they are contributing to a positive image of the United States as a trust-worthy partner in global affairs, while any backsliding over the Tuesday accord could sow the seed for bigger troubles in the future. Endi