Chicago Iranian Community Welcomes Nuclear Deal

CHICAGO (CBS) -- President Obama described today's historic deal to check Iran's nuclear program as an opportunity to move in a direction.

Under the deal Iran must dismantle much of its nuclear program and must allow international inspectors to request visits to military facilities.

In return, Iran will get access to billions in frozen assets and oil revenue and stave off U.S. military action in Middle East.

CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker went to find out how the deal is playing out in the Iranian community in Chicago.

Relatives Nari Safavi will visit his relatives more often now that the us has reached a nuclear agreement with Iran, his birthplace,

"I'm hoping that it will mark an end to the three-decade long conflict between two that countries I love," Safavi said.

Safavi moved to the Chicago in 1976. He says he and the more than 20,000 Iranians who call Chicago home have been longing for this day.

He says most of the Chicago Iranian, "will be very happy to know that they can go back and forth to Iran a little bit more easily.

Doug Truax, founder of conservative group Restoration, is critical of the U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement for two reasons. He thinks it's a threat to Israel's existence and a threat to America's safety.

"We've watched them delay and most of us believe they're going to continue to do that and when they do that they're going to get a nuclear weapon," Truax said.

Joseph Toulabi says Truax is entitled to his opinion, but "I have so many Israeli friends of mine, that they don't think this way."

Toulabi manages an Iranian restaurant in Albany Park.

"I hope peace come to Middle East and hopefully this is a start," he said.

The agreement is expected to increase American travel to Iran. As a matter of fact, a group of artists are already planning a trip in October as part of a cultural experience.