Four Share Nobel Peace Prize for Iran Deal

OSLO, Norway (AP) — In a ceremony last night, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Barack Obama, John Kerry, Mohammed Zarif, and Hassan Rouhani. The event, held in the Oslo city hall, marked the first time the prize has been shared by four winners. It was given in recognition of these men’s roles in crafting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Vienna Protocols.

The citation was read by peace-prize committee chairperson Karin Cecilie “Kaci” Kullmann Five. It pays tribute to the laureates for “their indefatigable and ultimately successful labors in forging a new era of peaceful coexistence in the Middle East and indeed the world.” Five added that “without all four the Protocols would have miscarried,” and this was the reason why, for the first time in the history of the prizes, the usual mid-February deadline for nominations was extended to mid-July. “Special accomplishments require special adjustments,” she explained.

It will be remembered that just days before the announcement of the prize in October, the Ladbrokes betting and gaming company had German Chancellor Angela Merkel at 2-to-1. Following her was the Congolese gynecologist Denis Mukwege and the priest Mussie Serai at 5-to-1 and 6-to-1. Rouhani and Kerry were quoted at 16-to-1 and Obama at 25-to-1, while Zarif was considered impossible. Those putting their money on Rouhani, Kerry, or Obama struck it rich.