Tehran, June 22 (IANS): Iranian lawmakers have unanimously approved the broad outline of a bill requiring the government to safeguard Iran’s nuclear rights as an end-of-month deadline draws closer for Iran and six world powers to reach a final nuclear deal.
During an open session of the Iranian parliament (Majlis) on Sunday, 199 lawmakers voted in favour and only three voted against the bill while five lawmakers abstained, Press TV reported.
"In line with safeguarding national interests (of Iran) and in compliance with the Safeguards Agreement of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, any outcome of nuclear negotiations with the P5 1 countries shall be valid as long as three requirements are met," read the text of the bill.
It said any agreement with the six powers should include the complete and immediate removal of all sanctions against Iran “on the day Iran starts fulfilling its obligations".
The Iranian lawmakers added that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be only permitted to "conduct conventional inspections" of Iran’s nuclear facilities within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement, noting that access to Iran’s "military, security and sensitive non-nuclear sites, documents and scientists is forbidden".
The bill also calls on the Iranian government not to accept any restrictions on acquisition of peaceful nuclear technology, research and development.
Addressing the session, Iran’s Majlis speaker Ali Larijani said the bill has been amended to give a free hand to the Iranian nuclear negotiating team within the framework of criteria set by Iranian top leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on June 13 that the achievements of his administration in safeguarding the nuclear rights of Iran were a big victory for the nation.
Addressing a press conference in Tehran, Rouhani said no country in the world currently doubts Iran’s right to the enrichment of uranium which is the biggest achievement in safeguarding Iran’s nuclear rights.
Iran and the P5 1 countries -- the US, Britain, France, China, Russia plus Germany -- are holding extensive talks to finalise the text of a possible deal over Tehran’s nuclear programme by June 30.
The two sides seek to reach a comprehensive final deal based on mutual understanding on the key parameters agreed upon in the Swiss city of Lausanne on April 2.