Ali Larijani Emphasizes the Need for Parliamentary Review of Nuclear Agreement

Following the Supreme Leader's stance that the parliament should not be sidelined from reviewing the nuclear agreement, the Speaker of Parliament stressed the importance of examining this agreement within the legislative branch. The Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission also deemed it "necessary" for the government to present a bill regarding this matter. On Thursday, September 12, Ali Larijani, during the last day of his trip to New York, emphasized that the parliament will "decide" on the Vienna nuclear agreement. According to the House of Representatives news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Consultative Assembly, he also noted the differing opinions among parliament members regarding this agreement, stating that he finds this "document" acceptable despite its flaws. This statement comes after he previously mentioned that it might be better if the parliament "gives its opinion" on the Vienna nuclear agreement, but in some important "international treaties" like the acceptance of UN Resolution 598, which led to the end of the Iran-Iraq war, the parliament did not provide its opinion. According to a law titled "Obligation of the Government to Preserve Nuclear Achievements and Rights," the "results of negotiations" regarding Iran's nuclear program must be "presented to the parliament," and 201 parliament members have requested that the government present the Vienna nuclear agreement "as soon as possible" in the form of a bill. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, August 28, parliament members elected the members of the special commission to review the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). However, Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, on Saturday, September 7, in his first press conference after the Vienna nuclear agreement, emphasized that this agreement is not a new international treaty and therefore does not require parliamentary approval. Two days after Rouhani's remarks, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, stated that "presenting the JCPOA bill to the parliament does not serve national interests." Nevertheless, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, emphasized on Thursday that it is not in the best interest for the Islamic Consultative Assembly to be sidelined from the review of the JCPOA, and "the representatives of the nation" must decide on its rejection or approval. One day after these remarks, Aladdin Boroujerdi, the Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, referring to the Supreme Leader's statements, emphasized that the parliament will provide a report on "opinions and solutions on how to overcome some challenges" at the "end of the review" of the Vienna nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Alireza Zakani, the Chairman of the Special Commission on the JCPOA, stated that this commission aims to present its report to the parliament by October 20. According to Zakani, this report will not be approved by the parliament, and for the approval of the Vienna nuclear agreement, a bill must be presented by the government or a proposal by parliament members. According to IRIB news agency, he emphasized that the parliament can reject, approve, or conditionally approve this agreement. Previously, members of Iran's nuclear negotiation team emphasized that the parliament or the Supreme National Security Council can only approve or reject the Vienna nuclear agreement and cannot change its details.