Friday Prayer Leaders Call for Adherence to Khamenei's Red Lines in Nuclear Agreement

Three days after Iran's agreement with the 5+1 group, Friday prayer leaders across Iran called for adherence to the red lines set by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic during the review of this agreement in the Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. Meanwhile, Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, referred to the eighth Parliament's 'test' as its handling of the protests following the 2009 presidential election and labeled the ninth Parliament's 'test' as the review of this agreement. According to Fars News Agency, Mohammad Ali Mohammadi Kermani, the Friday prayer leader of Tehran, emphasized the need to respect the Supreme Leader's previous red lines in the 'final agreement' while discussing the review of the Iran-5+1 agreement in the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Supreme National Security Council. He also stressed that issues such as not forgetting the 'revolutionary ideals, especially anti-imperialism', the 'immediate' lifting of sanctions, and the return of Iran's frozen assets must be observed. The Tehran Friday prayer leader further emphasized that this agreement should not harm 'Islamic dignity and national pride' in the slightest. Additionally, according to IRNA, he noted: 'There are many whispers... that this statement has not taken into account the Supreme Leader's directives and has crossed the red lines, and I have been provided with a document in this regard.' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on Wednesday, July 24, that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, had been 'carefully following' the nuclear negotiations with the 5+1 group, 'supervising them closely', and had taken on a 'heavier responsibility' in this matter. On the same day, the Supreme Leader described reaching a comprehensive nuclear agreement as 'an important step' and asked Mr. Rouhani to be cautious of the behavior of the opposite side in implementing this agreement. On Tuesday, July 2, before the Iran-5+1 agreement, Khamenei announced a long list of Iran's red lines, including a ban on inspections of military sites, stating that he would not accept 'long-term limitations of 10 or 12 years' on Iran's nuclear program. Despite this, three days after the announcement of this agreement, reports from Iranian news agencies indicated that many Friday prayer leaders demanded adherence to the Supreme Leader's red lines in this agreement. Meanwhile, Ahmad Alamolhoda reiterated that the 'criteria and standard' for reviewing the Iran-5+1 agreement in the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Supreme National Security Council is the Supreme Leader's red lines. According to ISNA, he added: 'The eighth Parliament had a test, and that was the 2009 sedition. The ninth Parliament's test is the review of this agreement.' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his close associates refer to the 2009 presidential election as 'sedition'. According to a law titled 'Obligation of the Government to Preserve Achievements and Rights of the Nuclear Program', which was approved by the Iranian Parliament and also ratified by the Guardian Council on Wednesday, July 3, 'the results of the negotiations' regarding Iran's nuclear program 'must be presented to the Parliament for compliance with the Constitution and legal resolutions'. On the other hand, based on a bill signed by Barack Obama, the President of the United States, last month, the U.S. Congress has 60 days to review and either approve or reject the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers.