TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Thursday that the nuclear deal struck between Iran and major powers should be examined by the parliament.

The landmark pact, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), clinched on July 14 between Iran and the United States, Germany, France, Russia, China and Britain, would limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for a removal of economic sanctions.

“I have no recommendation to give to the Majlis about the way to examine [the JCPOA] and whether they should approve or reject it, and it is the representatives of the nation who should decide,” he said in a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts.

The Majlis “should not be bypassed” in the review of the nuclear deal, the Leader noted. 

He also said that keeping the framework of the sanctions regime runs contrary to the reason for nuclear talks, “because the objective of the talks was removal of sanctions”.

“If we gave concessions in the talks…, they were mainly to remove the sanctions, otherwise what was the necessity to attend the talks and we could continue our job and reach 50000 to 60000 centrifuges from the current 19000 ones in a short period of time and continue 20 percent enrichment and expedite research and development,” the Leader explained.

The Leader noted that if the sanctions are not to be removed, then there will be “no deal”.

Pointing to some of U.S. officials’ comments regarding suspending sanctions instead of lifting them, he said the sanctions should be removed and not suspended.

Elsewhere, the Leader described some of the U.S. officials’ comments as totally “irrelevant” to the issue of nuclear agreement.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged Iranian officials to counter statements by U.S. officials who say “the structure of the sanctions must remain intact.”

“Do not say that Americans are making these remarks to reassure their domestic rivals,” he said. “Of course, I believe that the domestic struggle in the U.S. is real.”

He added, “But, what is officially stated deserves to get a response. If it is not answered, then the statements of the other party become consolidated.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader said the U.S. policy in the Middle East region is undermining resistance forces and finding dominance over Syria and Iraq.

Commenting on the policies of the resistance economy, the Leader called on the government to prepare a comprehensive plan to implement the resistance economy.


NA/PA