PHOTO: Iran’s Parliament, the Majlis, on Tuesday


After weeks of hearings and heated debate, Iran’s Parliament has approved the July 14 nuclear deal with the 5+1 Powers.

The Majlis voted for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action after a session of only 20 minutes on Tuesday morning. Of the 250 MPs present, 161 supported the deal.

President Rouhani will address the nation on State TV on Tuesday night.

The Rouhani Government had wanted endorsement of the deal by the Supreme National Security Council, but its critics insisted on a Parliamentary review. The subsequent process through the summer and early autumn had raised concerns that, at the least, the anti-deal movement would delay implementation of the agreement and thus the lifting of sanctions.

Last weekend President Rouhani warned of the damage to the Iranian economy, and Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani urged MPs on Sunday to complete their deliberations. Parliament approved the outline of the deal later that day.

Today’s endorsement clears the way for the International Atomic Energy Agency to proceed with verification of Iranian compliance with the terms agreed with the 5+1 (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia). At that point — which the Rouhani Government envisages will be mid-December — US and European Union sanctions can be lifted or suspended.