PHOTO: Tehran Friday Prayer leader Ahmad Jannati: “Debate on nuclear deal is finished”
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister has said that implementation of the July 14 nuclear deal with the 5+1 Powers will begin on Saturday, following the endorsement of the agreement by the Iranian Parliament and Guardian Council.
Abbas Araqchi said experts from Iran and the 5+1 (US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China) will start work in Vienna, followed by Monday presentation to the joint commission overseeing the process.
At the same time, the Minister maintained a firm line with the caution that “reversibility will always be one of Iran’s options, ….The P5+1 countries should not doubt Iran’s will in this matter for even a moment.”
After weeks of sometimes-bitter debate and criticism of the Government, Iran’s hardliners gave way in Parliament following a meeting between a top advisor of the Supreme Leader, the Secretary of the National Security Council, and Speaker Ali Larijani. The Guardian Council, which ratifies all legislation in Iran, gave its assent on Wednesday.
Araqchi responded to US criticism of Iran’s latest test of a ballistic missile, saying that this did not the violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He declared that an International Atomic Energy report on Thursday had shown “every question was answered and every necessary document submitted” about Tehran’s nuclear program.
Tehran Friday Prayer: Debate on Agreement “Finished”
Delivering the Tehran Friday Prayer, Guardian Council leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said debate over the nuclear deal should now end:
We must consider the JCPOA to be finished. No more should it be raised at public meetings and whether it was good or bad, excessive or too weak.
Still, the cleric kept open the possibility of a step back with the assertion that the deal “has not yet been confirmed or signed by the Supreme Leader”.
