On January 16, Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Vienna for a final series of meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif before implementation of the historic nuclear deal between Iran and the world's six major powers. Implementation Day occurred after the U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Iran had met its nuclear-related commitments. In turn, the United States, European Union, and United Nations lifted or suspended certain sanctions. Kerry was also involved in parallel discussions to secure the release of four Iranian-Americans as part of a prisoner swap with Iran. The following are photos from Kerry's meetings in Vienna on Implementation Day.
Kerry arrives in Vienna on January 16, across the tarmac from an Iran Air jetliner.
Kerry meets with U.S. Lead Coordinator for Iran Nuclear Implementation Stephen Mull and other advisers at the Palais Coburg Hotel in Vienna, before meeting with Zarif.
Kerry, Zarif, and their advisors meet at the Palais Coburg to discuss Implementation Day.
Kerry calls International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano to thank him for his role in reaching Implementation Day.
Kerry and Zarif speak to an E.U. staffer working for E.U. High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, who arrived in Vienna for an unscheduled visit.
Kerry sits with Zarif before another meeting to discuss implementing the nuclear deal.
Kerry and Zarif speak in a hallway as the negotiations near an end.
Kerry signs documents and waivers to lift nuclear-related sanctions on Iran.
Kerry and Zarif shake hands at the Vienna International Center.
Kerry shakes hands with Amano at the Vienna International Center after the IAEA certified that Iran had completed its nuclear commitments under the deal.
Kerry addresses reporters on Implementation Day.
Kerry calls Zarif to discuss last minute disputes related to Jason Rezaian - one of the Iranian-Americans released in the prisoner swap - and his family members.
Kerry travels from Vienna to Andrews Air Force Base.
Kerry addresses his traveling press corps in his cabin after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base.
All photos are via Flickr Commons. Photos were taken by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Strategic Communications Glen Johnson, Secretary Kerry’s traveling photographer, and are courtesy of the U.S. Department of State.