Iran vice-president hails new era after removal of sanctions

Masoumeh Ebtekar tells the Guardian that success of nuclear talks raises hopes for peaceful resolution to Syria conflict, but warns of rival forces stoking 'Iranophobia'

The lifting of sanctions on Iran on Saturday marks a new era in bilateral relations between Tehran and Washington, one of the country's vice-presidents has said, adding that further rapprochement is contingent on how the US goes about fulfilling its commitments under last summer's nuclear accord.

In an interview with the Guardian, Masoumeh Ebtekar warned against what she said were new attempts in the region to create a sense of "Iranophobia", though she did not single out by name Tehran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia.