Parliament Approves Nuclear Deal

Iran’s parliament voted to approve a resolution permitting the government to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). On October 11, 139 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill’s general provisions, with 100 lawmakers against and 12 abstaining. And on October 13, Parliament approved the details of the bill, with 161 lawmakers in favor and 59 against. Another 13 members of parliament abstained, 17 did not cast a vote, and 40 were not in attendance. The bill was ratified on October 14 by Iran’s Guardian Council, which is tasked with making sure legislation does not contradict religious laws or Iran's constitution.

 

The vote came after a heated debate that included death threats. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, deputy foreign ministers Abbas Araghchi and Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi defended the JCPOA during a parliamentary session on October 11. They faced shouting, threats, and harsh criticism from hardliners. One lawmaker, identified as Ruhollah Hoesseinian, reportedly threatened to cover Salehi with cement in the Arak reactor.

 

 

The debate wrapped up a multifaceted process by parliamentary committees to review the JCPOA. On October 4, the Iranian parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing the nuclear deal presented its preliminary report to the Parliament. It highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the JCPOA but emphasized the harmful effects some provisions could have on Iranian security. The committee is working on final report, some 1,000 pages long, that will be sent to top officials in all government branches in two months.

 

• Six U.N. Security Council resolutions against Iran would be lifted 
• Iran would reserve the right to keep its heavy water reactor in Arak as well as the enrichment facility in Fordow 
• Iran could continue to develop its missile program without restrictions 
• Economic sanctions on Iran would be lifted 

• The JCPOA would require Iran to do more than other countries who are signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty 
• Iran would not be able to quickly resume its nuclear program due to required technical changes, such as limiting the number of centrifuges 
• Inspection of military sites would create security risks 
• The deal may would leave Iran more vulnerable to foreign intelligence  
• Certain sanctions would not be terminated until eight years after implementation of the deal

 

The report proposed introducing and voting on a resolution, within the week, that would give the government permission to implement the JCPOA under certain conditions. The key issue regarding next steps was timing. Lawmakers voted against fast-tracking the bill to the extent recommended by the report. So 75 lawmakers instead introduced a bill that would allow for 20 days of review. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani preferred voting sooner rather than later. “The more it is delayed, it harms us,” he said. Larijani referred the motion to the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission for review, which quickly approved it. 

 

The following are quotes from officials on the Iranian parliament’s vote to implement the JCPOA.

 

 

 

 

"Members of parliament made a well-considered decision today showing they have a good understanding of the country's situation. We hope to see acceleration in progress and development of the country from now on."

 

"The decision to approve the bill was the Islamic Consultative Assembly's decision alone…All those who voted for or against the bill view Ayatollah Khamenei as their leader."

 

 

 

“After the release of the Lausanne statement, when Mr. Zarif attended a parliamentary committee session, I criticized him and told him that he had given psychological ammunition to the enemy.”

 

“I told him that the Zionist regime of Israel would threaten us with nuclear bombs on a daily basis after Iran was stripped of such a tool. In fact, a few days later, the former Israeli defense minister threated to bomb Iran with nukes.”

 

“Once again, I reminded Mr. Zarif that if the Zionist regime attacked Iran or if the US launched a strike against Iran because of JCPOA, people would arrest you and put you on trial. I also told Mr. Salehi that [at that time] if I were in charge, I would make him dig out cement from the core of the Arak Reactor, throw him inside and encircle him with cement. I did not say that I would pour cement on him, I said I would encircle him with it.”

 

“I told Zarif and Salehi that I hope my prediction about JCPOA won’t come true, but if it does happen, I will treat them the very same way I told them I would.”