WASHINGTON - Secretary of State John Kerry says that Iran will likely be in compliance with a landmark nuclear deal within days, and other officials say it could be as early as this weekend.

Just hours after welcoming Iran's release of 10 detained U.S. sailors, Kerry said Wednesday implementation of the deal will take place soon. He said in the coming days but others said an announcement could come as soon as Friday. Those officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

That would mean the U.N. atomic watchdog has found Iran to have met its obligations to curb its nuclear program. It would require the U.S. and other nations to immediately suspend many sanctions they have imposed on the Islamic republic.