Impact of Parliament's Resolution on Nuclear Negotiations

On Tuesday, the Islamic Consultative Assembly approved the details of a plan obligating the government to maintain nuclear rights. Article two of this plan states, 'The International Atomic Energy Agency is permitted to conduct conventional inspections at nuclear sites within the framework of the safeguards agreement, and access to military, security, and sensitive non-nuclear sites, documents, and scientists is prohibited.' Behrouz Bayat, a former advisor to the IAEA, stated in an interview with Radio Farda that the article included in the approved plan lacks a clear legal meaning, and Iran and the IAEA are currently implementing the safeguards agreement. Bayat expressed that he believes this article is legally ambiguous, imprecise, and vague. It refers back to the comprehensive safeguards agreement that has existed between Iran and the IAEA. According to this agreement, the IAEA is allowed to conduct conventional inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities under normal conditions. In this regard, what exists now is correct, and no one claims otherwise. However, if Iran signs and implements the Additional Protocol, the situation will change. At that point, one of the contents of the Additional Protocol is that the IAEA can visit sites beyond nuclear facilities and related installations, which may include military facilities. This is directed towards the future and not what currently exists. Therefore, in my opinion, these few articles that have been approved hold no legal or practical significance except for domestic propaganda and for those groups in Iran who want to assert themselves. However, a significant portion of conservatives has repeatedly expressed their strong opposition to any access to military, security, and sensitive non-nuclear sites in recent months. Why do you think this issue was not included in this plan, especially regarding the Additional Protocol, which, as Mr. Zarif mentioned two weeks ago, includes controlled access for the IAEA to military and sensitive non-nuclear sites? This is precisely because it was not intended, or they have not succeeded in preventing the comprehensive agreement that is forthcoming, which includes the implementation of the Additional Protocol by Iran. For this reason, there was no reference to the Additional Protocol. If such an action were to take place, it would naturally be a significant obstacle. Considering Mr. Rouhani's recent statements that Iran will implement the Additional Protocol and the comments from Mr. Zarif and other government leaders, it seems that the implementation of the Additional Protocol will proceed, and this parliamentary resolution will not hinder the acceptance of the comprehensive agreement ahead, provided no other obstacles arise.