National Security Commission Emphasizes the Need for Implementation of the 'Reciprocal Action Law in the Implementation of the JCPOA'

On Tuesday, September 7, the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament obligated the government of Hassan Rouhani to implement the 'Reciprocal Action Law in the Implementation of the JCPOA' in a 'clear and timely' manner. According to Mehr News Agency, the spokesperson of the National Security Commission read the report on the 'second six-month implementation of the JCPOA' prepared by this commission. The report, which has been published in full by several news agencies, emphasizes what is referred to in the report as 'breach of promise' and 'violation of the agreement' by the United States. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who is a staunch critic of the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA, has accused Iran of not fully implementing the agreement, especially in recent months. He stated in August that he personally believes that the Iranians are not acting in accordance with the agreement and 'I don't think they are adhering to the spirit of the agreement.' In response to these remarks, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister, accused the U.S. President on Twitter of seeking to annul the nuclear agreement but wanting to blame Iran out of fear of isolation. He added that 'malice is at the top of the violations of the spirit and text of the JCPOA by the U.S.' In contrast, the U.S. government has previously emphasized that Iran's missile program and the activities of the Quds Force outside of Iran's territory violate the spirit of the nuclear agreement, as under this agreement, Iran is supposed to participate in creating peace and stability in the region and globally. In response, the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament, in its new report, criticizes the U.S. and obligates the government to act clearly, transparently, and timely in implementing the law passed in October 2015 known as the 'Reciprocal and Proportional Action Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Implementing the JCPOA.' The Rouhani government has also been tasked with submitting a report on 'reciprocal and proportional actions' along with quarterly reports on the implementation of the JCPOA to the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. According to this law, the Rouhani government is required to 'carefully monitor any non-compliance by the other party regarding the effective lifting of sanctions or the re-imposition of lifted sanctions or the imposition of sanctions under any other title and to take reciprocal actions to uphold the rights of the Iranian people.' Iran and six world powers reached an agreement on the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA) in July 2015 in Vienna. Under this agreement, Iran suspended many of its nuclear activities in exchange for the suspension or lifting of international nuclear sanctions against Iran. Security Council Resolution 2231, which was issued after the Vienna nuclear agreement to endorse it, called on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The Trump administration emphasizes that Iran's missile program and the activities of the Quds Force violate the spirit of the nuclear agreement, as under this agreement, Iran is supposed to participate in creating peace and stability in the region and globally. Iranian officials have rejected this claim.