Approval for Iranian nuclear agreement

A committee of Iran’s conservative-dominated parliament gave its support to Iran’s nuclear agreement with world powers, on condition there would be no foreign inspections of military sites and no curbs on developing its missile programme.

These proposals, contained in a report by a special parliamentary committee evaluating the agreement, could become law if passed by the assembly and approved by a top clerical body that vets proposed legislation.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on September 3 that he favoured a vote in parliament on the nuclear deal, but it will still go to him, as the country’s highest authority with the ultimate say on all state policy, for approval.

Many see the chance of the leadership eventually rejecting the deal as small, since Tehran needs the removal of sanctions to revive its economy. However, while the agreement is meant to last many years, there is a risk it could fall apart one day if Iran or its counterparties determine the terms have been breached.

As a result, powerful factions in Iran continue to voice scepticism about the accord, to try to shield themselves from a politically- damaging backlash in the event that it falls apart.

The deal reached with six world powers on July 14 imposes strict limits on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for relief from sanctions.