Heidari announced that the parliament is preparing a plan for applying the legislative power’s opinion regarding the extension or non-extension of IAEA cameras activities and stated; “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) held ...
Heidari announced that the parliament is preparing a plan for applying the legislative power’s opinion regarding the extension or non-extension of IAEA cameras activities and stated; “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) held no achievements for us, it was but a waste of time.”
Radio Goftogoo's "Political Dialogue" had a phone call interview with Dr. Shahriar Heydari, Deputy Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, where he had a review on the IAEA camera shutdown deadline, scenarios, and their possible impacts on the Vienna talks.
Shahriar Heydari mentioned that the Iranian Parliament monitors and pursues the Vienna talks within the framework of the Strategic Action Law. In this regard, the cameras surveillance (working under the Additional Protocol) should be stopped on May 25. Of course, the Europeans had a demand for extending the process for one more month, but the parliament believes that the law of strategic action should be implemented.
He noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had no request regarding the extension of camera surveillance; “It was the Europe that had this one-month extension request and it was in line with the JCPOA. This request is currently being considered. If the need for an extension is approved by the government and the Supreme National Security Council, it is possible to extend the camera surveillance for another month.”
The deputy chairman of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission also announced that the MPs are to identify a plan with two urgent clauses, stating: "This plan is in line with Europe's request to extend the camera surveillance. As such, Europeans’ demand will need parliamentary approval. Most likely, this plan will be presented and approved in the parliament this week, and thus the Iranian Parliament will have the authority to decide on extending the activities of the IAEA cameras. Under current circumstances, the parliament doesn’t agree with the extension.”
He then explained that the parliament’s disagreement is based on previous years experience; “The JCPOA held no achievements for us, it was but a waste of time, and in fact these negotiations and the current process are in conflict with our country’s national interests. The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has clearly asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to provide the necessary explanations for the negotiations, so that if the negotiations go well and all sanctions are lifted, the parliament will agree to the extension, otherwise they shouldn’t be provided with this opportunity.”
Heidari explained about the parliament's reaction and the MPs disagreement on the continuation of IAEA cameras activities, and possible international responses; “It is possible that some international sanctions will be imposed on Iran as we don’t let them have access to data collected by the cameras. But the truth is that the country's economy and politics have been under sanctions for years, and basically there can’t be any extra sanctions to be imposed. With no doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran is right, and public opinion gives Iran the right that the JCPOA shouldn’t be continued. If negotiations are to be concluded, all sanctions should be lifted as soon as possible so that Iran returns to the UN JCPOA.
By Zahra Joudaki
