Larijani's Implicit Support for the Government on Parliament's Vote Regarding the Agreement

The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani, despite his previous statements about the necessity of ratifying the Vienna nuclear agreement in Parliament, recently stated that it might be better if Parliament 'gives its opinion' on the agreement, although it has not done so on some important issues. In an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) on Saturday, August 1, Larijani emphasized that Parliament should 'give its opinion on international treaties,' but noted that it did not express its opinion on certain matters, such as the acceptance of UN Resolution 598, which led to the end of the Iran-Iraq war. He added, 'We will resolve the nuclear issue, and perhaps it would be better if Parliament also gives its opinion, so that support and consensus can be achieved.' This new position from Larijani comes after he had previously emphasized to Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, that Parliament would 'review' the Vienna nuclear agreement and monitor its implementation 'with sensitivity.' According to a law titled 'Obligation of the Government to Preserve Nuclear Achievements and Rights,' which was passed by the Iranian Parliament and approved by the Guardian Council on June 24, the 'results of negotiations' regarding Iran's nuclear program 'must be presented to Parliament for compliance with the Constitution and legal resolutions.' However, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the government spokesman, emphasized that 'there is no plan' for Parliament to vote on the Vienna nuclear agreement. Prior to this, Elham Aminzadeh, the legal deputy of the Iranian President, stated that whether it is in the interest of the country for Parliament to ratify the nuclear agreement is currently being reviewed by the Supreme National Security Council and the legal deputy of the presidency. Meanwhile, Nouzar Shafiei, the spokesman for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Parliament, stated that this body 'currently' does not intend to 'approve' the Vienna nuclear agreement and will only announce its 'consultative opinion' about this agreement in coordination with the Supreme National Security Council. However, some members of Parliament, such as Ahmad Tavakoli, have insisted that this agreement must be approved by Parliament unless the Supreme Leader refers the matter to another institution. Larijani also stated that they do not 'listen to' UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding Iran's missile weapons and do not 'accept' it, thus they will 'continue our missile activities.' Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, the international advisor to the Supreme Leader, referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding Iran's missiles as 'rejected' and stated that 'the Islamic Republic has not and will not accept it.' The UN Security Council resolution passed on July 19 allows the transfer of ballistic missile technology and heavy weapons to Iran, with the approval of Security Council members, but the United States has announced that it will veto such a matter. This resolution also maintains restrictions on ballistic missile technology for eight years and heavy weapons for five years, despite the lifting of sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program. However, Abbas Araghchi, a senior member of the Iranian negotiating team, stated that the language used in Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding Iran's missile program is 'not a definitive and legal obligation.' According to Araghchi, this resolution requests Iran not to engage in activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, while Iranian officials assert that none of the Islamic Republic's missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads and are 'completely outside the scope of the new Security Council resolution.'