Iran MPs unveil potential obstacle to nuke deal

Iranian lawmakers unveil proposed legislation Wednesday that a top official says would protect the nation’s nuclear interests, but which could become an obstacle in negotiations for a deal this month.

The bill, sponsored by the chairman of parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, is signed by 225 of the country’s 290 MPs and faces a vote on Sunday.

“At the moment, the negotiating team is facing excessive demands from the United States,” says chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi.

“This bill is being introduced with the aim of supporting the negotiators… and to protect the red lines drawn up by the supreme leader.”

It sets out three criteria that must be met by any deal reached with the United States and five other world powers, which faces a June 30 deadline.

First is the “complete and unified lifting on the day of agreement of all sanctions imposed through the UN Security Council, the US Congress and the European Union.”

That condition does not specify if it means the day a deal is struck, signed or implemented.

Secondly, the bill says that although the International Atomic Energy Agency will be authorized to conduct “conventional supervision” of Iran’s nuclear sites, “access to all documents, scientists and military/security sites… is forbidden under any pretext.”

Thirdly, the bill states: “No limit will be accepted on Iran acquiring peaceful nuclear knowledge and technology and the materials required for research and development.”

— AFP