The treaty between Iran and the P5+1 world powers is meant to take effect 90 days after the UN Security Council adopts the relevant resolution. However, while the treaty has been hailed as a historic step for global security, Iran is a very active regional power and a partner in violent instability in the Middle East, which the treaty does not address.

Jon B. Alterman, Middle East Program Director for the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: “It helps you manage one risk posed by Iran, which is the proliferation risk. It doesn’t immediately do anything for any of the other issues, and those issues range from Yemen to Lebanon to Syria and elsewhere.”

Major US ally Saudi Arabia’s official reaction to the deal was uneasy. Riyadh said Iran should now concentrate on improving conditions for Iranians, according to the Saudi Press Agency, “instead of provoking troubles which would generate certain reactions from countries in the region”.

Iran is Shiite