Saturday, August 29, 2015

Rouhani Opposes Majlis Vote on Nuclear Deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has opposed a parliamentary vote on the nuclear deal, the JCPOA, saying terms of the agreement will turn into legal obligation if it is passed by Majlis.

Rouhani made the comments at a news conference today. He said the JCPOA was a “political understanding” reached with world powers, not a “pact” that requires parliamentary approval. (AP, 29 August)


Rouhani has referred the JCPOA to the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), the country’s highest national security body. As president, Rouhani chairs the SNSC and is believed to have enough votes in the body for the approval of JCPOA.  

1 comment:

Mark Pyruz said...

This has been one of the primary focuses of political struggle in Iran for JCPOA.

From comments made by Leader of Islamic Revolution Khamenei, he expects parliament taking a vote on JCPOA. Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament Larijani is an outspoken supporter of JCPOA.

Firouzabadi expresses the opinion that parliament should not vote on JCPOA as in doing so, if it were to pass, it would become law and binding.

I'm of the opinion the Iranians won't make a formal determination until after the United States does so. From their vantage point, better to have the Americans disapprove first, if it happens, then Iran doing so first, if that's their ultimate rendering. That way they can say the Americans were the ones to quit the agreement.

In any event, quite a lot to watch unfold during the next 30 to 90 days.