Iranian President Hassan Rohani has predicted Iran will undergo an "economic boom" with the lifting of international sanctions.
Iran and six world powers secured a deal in July 2015 under which Tehran pledged to curtail elements of its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
"The government is running the country under sanctions, not under normal circumstances," Rohani said on January 11, adding that he hoped sanctions could be lifted as soon as "the coming days."
His comments come as the European Union's foreign policy chief said she expects economic sanctions against Iran to be lifted soon.
Speaking in Prague, Federica Mogherini said there was no date set yet but that "the implementation of the agreement is proceeding well."
Mogherini said it is necessary that all steps agreed have to be "properly done."
But she said "things are going well" and the sanctions might be lifted "rather soon."