Egypt hopes Iran nuclear deal helps prevent arms race

Cairo

Egypt said it hoped the historic nuclear deal agreed by world powers and Iran Tuesday would prevent an arms race in the Middle East and help achieve peace in the region.

A foreign ministry statement said it "hopes the deal would prevent an arms race in the Middle East, clear it from any weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, and lead to peace and stability in the region."

The ministry is keenly following developments and will study the deal thoroughly once it has received the full text, a statement added.

The deal, aimed at ensuring Iran does not develop an atomic bomb, aims to resolve a 13-year standoff over Tehran's nuclear ambitions after repeated diplomatic failures and threats of military action.