Nuclear Deal Does Not Require Majlis Approval, Says Salehi

Tehran – Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Salehi said that since the nuclear deal between Tehran and P5+1 group of world powers in not an international agreement, it does not need to secure approval of Majlis (Parliament).

‘The text is not regarded an international agreement, convention or treaty. Therefore, it has been named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),’ he said in reply to a demand by lawmakers who want to ratify it in Majlis.

Foreign Ministry is responsible for nuclear negotiations and has to decide about it, he said quoted by the Majlis New Agency (ICANA).

To questions about the quality of unofficial translation of JCPOA, he added that upon announcement of the Foreign Ministry, the English version is the valid and authorized text.

Iran rejects report of confidential annexes to JCPOA

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian nuclear negotiator says there is nothing confidential in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Tehran’s nuclear program and its annexes.

Abbas Araqchi, however, said the content of a roadmap signed between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency and its related documents are secret, and that the agency is obliged to protect them under international law, MNA reported.

The two sides agreed on July 14 to clarify some outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Araqchi also said Tehran will only allow IAEA inspectors from nations that have diplomatic relations with Iran, which does not include the US and Canada. He also guaranteed the inspectors will have no access to classified military documents.

After signing the roadmap, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said it “sets out a clear sequence of activities over the coming months, including the provision by Iran of explanations regarding outstanding issues. It provides for technical expert meetings, technical measures and discussions, as well as a separate arrangement regarding the issue of Parchin site.”

In his latest meeting with members of Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission broadcasted on Sunday, Araqchi said European foreign ministers have lined up to visit Iran, however, that does not mean we will offer whatever they want, we are the one who choose.

“We will decide how to treat each country on the basis of national interests,” Araqchi stressed.

During the meeting, Araqchi answered the questions raised by some members of the Parliament on topics including the conditions for lifting of sanctions, inspection of military sites, West’s contradictory statements about JCPOA, confidential agreement with IAEA, conditions of providing 20% of fuel for Tehran reactor operation, inspections of nuclear facilities, conditions for sanctions return, US instrumental use of human rights and support for terrorism, uncertainty about the cancellation or suspension of sanctions, arms and missile embargo and financial, banking sanctions.

He explained that the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the 5+1 in Vienna recently stipulates that Iran would voluntarily execute the Additional Protocol until the US Congress sanctions against Tehran are removed.

He noticed that a new roadmap has been signed between the IAEA director general and the Iranian nuclear chief to settle points of differences which includes confidential contents.

Iran’s demand is removal of all sanctions which will also be met alongside all the economic and financial sanctions imposed on the country on the very first day of implementing the deal, Araqchi said.

IRNA

R.S