United Naitons, July 18 (RHC)--UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the conclusion of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, vowing his full support for the historic agreement and the planned lifting of anti-Iran sanctions.

In a letter to Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the UN chief said the nuclear conclusion was a great development in Iran's relations with the international community and a turning point in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world.

The Iranian government's will to build international confidence while showing flexibility and vigilance has played an effective role in achieving such a breakthrough, Ban said in his letter, which was handed over by his deputy Jan Eliasson to Iran's Ambassador to the UN Gholam Ali Khoshrou.

The UN head added that the agreement was a comprehensive way to prove the international community that Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful. Ban Ki-moon called on the two negotiating parties to show goodwill and abide by their commitments. He expressed confidence that the nuclear agreement would boost understanding and cooperation to counter serious regional and extra-regional security challenges.

On July 14th, Iran and the P5+1 group -- the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany -- reached a conclusion on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the Austrian capital of Vienna following 18 days of intensive talks over Tehran's nuclear program.