Iran parliament sets up committee to review nuclear deal

The Iranian parliament has agreed to set up a special committee to take a fine tooth comb to the Iran nuclear deal. The decision comes after Foreign Minister Javad Zarif presented the agreement to MPs, seeking to calm opposition from hardliners who consider it counter to national interests.

“We never claimed that the deal is completely to our benefit. A negotiation is a “give and take” process. Certainly, we have had some flexibility and leniency, but that was planned… Everybody knows what matters most is the final result.”

The UN security council unanimously approved the deal on Monday, but included a provision to reinstate harsh measures if Tehran reneges on its promises. An amendment which has irked some. However, the Spokesperson for the National Security Committee explains that overall the parliament has a positive interpretation of the deal. He added that there are some issues and problematic points, but the parliament is looking strictly at the written contents of the deal.

The parliament technically has the right to reject the deal, though its unlikely they would act against it after it won approval from the Supreme Leader.

Euronews reporter Javad Montazeri in Tehran said:

“Zarif’s mission at the Iranian parliament is no easier than his mission at the Vienna talks. He should not only cast clarity upon all ambiguities, but also convince hardliners, so that the deal can make it past the final hurdle.”

USA

The US has said it was disturbed by anti-American hostility voiced by Iran’s Supreme Leader following the conclusion of the nuclear deal. Ali Khamenei made a speech on Saturday vowing to defy US policies in the Middle East.

It comes at a delicate time for President Barack Obama who is also trying to convince hardliners in the US Congress of the viability of the deal struck in Vienna. The Republicans control the chamber and have lined up against the deal. However, Obama has said he will use his presidential veto should they attempt to block it.