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TEHRAN: Iran's parliament voted on Tuesday to support implementing the nuclear deal it struck with world powers, sending the measure to a council of senior clerics who will review the accord before its final approval.
The 12-member Guardian Council could send the bill, which allows Iran to back out of the nuclear pact if sanctions are imposed or not lifted, back to parliament to reconsider. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on key policies, has said it is up to the 290-seat parliament to approve or reject the deal.
In the session carried live by state radio, 161 lawmakers on hand voted for the nuclear deal, while 59 voted against it and 13 abstained. Another 17 did not vote at all, while 40 lawmakers did not attend the session. It was not immediately clear Tuesday when the Guardian Council would issue its own decision.
The bill gives the right of implementing the deal to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the top security body of the country that President Hassan Rouhani heads. Khamenei himself has not publicly supported or disapproved of the deal, though he offered encouragement for the Islamic Republic's diplomats throughout the months of negotiations over it.
Discussion of the bill in the parliament had been unusually tense, with hard-liners repeatedly trying to prevent a vote on the deal. They hope to stall the deal in order to weaken Rouhani's moderate administration ahead of February's parliamentary elections.
During Tuesday's session, hard-liners claimed the bill had no support from Khamenei and tried to delay the vote by raising numerous proposals on its details. Iran's official IRNA news agency said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif left the session after it got tense.
A preliminary parliamentary vote Sunday saw 139 lawmakers out of the 253 present supported the outline of the bill.
The deal calls for limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. The accord came after nearly two years of negotiations between Iran and world powers including the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany.
The West long has suspected Iran's nuclear program has a military dimension. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes, like power generation and medical treatments.
Comments (12) Closed
Nice Information in the post
All govt jobs
God bless Islamic republic of Iran.
A deadly decision to grant them nuclear power
Good news for Iran and her people
Any weak Country can get easily Bombed by USA-Proxy Techniques. If a Country is capable should get necessary High-tech Arms to Protect itself.
What other option does it have?
The leadership of a country should decide that they need jams, butter, honey in their breakfasts or luxuries life style to compromise on its basic right to develop nuclear arsenal to protect its sovereignty against Israel in her neighbour.
Iran and US friendship immobile But for sure some part of Europe have already started ignoring USA
Victory for Iranian People. A step in right direction. Peace in the region will help in development of countries in the region. The held money and oil money could be used to further develop Iran.
@Abu Mohammed
America has influence in the region and Europeans need Americans support....which provided by America.
Good step by Iranian parliament for early implementation of nuclear deal by world power . It will be helpful in early release of oil payments to Iran which has been held due to embargo imposed on it . These funds will open new era of trade relation with other countries and construction of infrastructure of oil refineries .
Most of our surrounding countries have arrived at this deal. We need one to meet our energy crisis. Dear FM instead of a lot of air, please do something about it!