From VOA Learning English,this is In The News.This week, Iranian and international negotiatorsagreed on first steps to limit Iran's nuclear program.They also agreed to ease internationaleconomic pressure on Iran.The agreement was reached early Sunday in Switzerland.Secretary of State John Kerrydescribed the agreement as a first steptoward a possible peaceful settlement with Iran.American officials say Iran will diluteor weaken its near weapons grade uraniumso it can not be used in weapons.Iran has also agreed to inspections of its nuclear centers.In exchange, the United States and other countrieswill ease actions meant to punish Iranfor its nuclear activities.But they will continue the strongest restrictionson Iran's oil exports and banking system.The deal was delayed because of a dispute over Iran's claimto a right to enrich the metal uranium.The United States says no such right exists for any country.Different levels of enriched uranium are neededto produce nuclear power and nuclear weapons.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarifspoke to reporters after the deal was announced."Many times, at least twice very explicitly in this text,this recognition is therethat Iran will have an enrichment program.And we believe that we are right,and we are exercising that rightand we only require respect for that right."The nuclear agreement has many critics.Israeli officials say it does nothingto stop Iranian efforts to build nuclear weapons.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the deal.He said this is not a historic agreement, but a historic mistake.In Washington, President Barack Obamasought to answer concerns of Israeland American partners in the Middle East.Mr. Obama said the deal halts Iran's nuclear programfor the first time in almost 10 years.He said the next step will be to negotiatea detailed and lasting solution.The president appealed to American lawmakersnot to move forward with new sanctions against Iran.Senator Saxby Chambliss is a memberof the Republican Party from Georgia.He objects to any easing of economic pressure against Iran."Now is just not the timeto ease sanctions when they are working."Many people are waiting to see what happens next.Ephrim Asculai was an officialwith the International Atomic Energy Agency.He now works at the Institute for Defense Security Studiesin the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.He says the agreement answers many concernsover Iran's nuclear activities.But he is worried about some of the details,like whether Iran will let international inspectorsvisit all of its nuclear centers.Mark Fitzpatrick is with the International Institutefor Strategic Studies in London.He says the two sides must now honor the agreementto show they can honor a deal."Implementing it will show that they both mean what they say.It'll be very important that the two sides carry it outso that both sides can show their doubters– and both sides have real skeptics and doubters– that the other side can strike a deal and keep to it."And that's In The News, from VOA Learning English.