Special to WorldTribune.com

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Iran has awarded medals to its nuclear negotiators who helped reach a landmark agreement with world powers last year.

President Hassan Rouhani presented the Medal of Merit to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a ceremony in Teheran on February 8.

Iranian Atomic Energy Organization head Ali Akbar Salehi and Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan were both awarded the Medal of Courage.

During the ceremony, more than 20 other officials were awarded different medals and plaques of honor for their contributions to the nuclear negotiations.

“We passed behind us difficult days, difficult hours and nights,” Rouhani said. “But we did not lose the right path and God did not leave us alone.”

The nuclear agreement signed by Iran and six world powers in July brought about the lifting of international sanctions last month after the UN certified that Teheran had met all of its commitments toward curbing its nuclear activities.

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