Iran MPs pass bill to safeguard N-programme

AFP, TEHRAN: Iran's parliament approved a bill yesterday that lawmakers said would protect the country's nuclear programme, an intervention that comes as the government tries to seal a deal with world powers.
The move quickly exposed tension between President Hassan Rouhani's government and lawmakers in Tehran, where hardliners routinely voice doubts about the merit of talking to the West.
Rouhani's spokesman said the bill, which still has to be signed into law by Iran's Guardian Council, was unconstitutional.
The action in parliament, just one week before the nuclear deal deadline, is unlikely to immediately affect those talks but it could prove a complication after an accord is signed because the bill lays down terms for MPs' accepting its terms.
Rouhani, a moderate who aims to end Iran's diplomatic isolation, wants a deal to ensure the lifting of sanctions that have hobbled the economy. However critics of his nuclear policy, including members of the conservative-dominated legislature, say too many concessions have been made.
The bill says the government must "preserve the country's nuclear rights and achievements", a reference to retaining the ability to enrich uranium and continuing to keep all its nuclear facilities open.
Such demands have already been enshrined in an outline agreement struck on April 2 between Iran and the P5+1 powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany. But the bill, whose backers said it would protect Iran's negotiating team from further demands, goes further and says sanctions must be lifted "on the day Iran starts implementing its obligations".
The timing of removal has become important as members of the P5+1 have said it can only happen upon international verification that Iran has met requirements laid down under a deal.
Some 214 lawmakers out of 244 present supported the bill, with 10 against, six abstentions and the remainder not voting.
Bargaining over a final deal, due by June 30, intensified on Monday when Britain and France reiterated that comprehensive inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities are essential.
The bill passed in Tehran allows inspections of nuclear sites but not military or sensitive non-nuclear establishments -- a refusal likely to alarm Western powers given their longstanding suspicion Iran is covertly developing an atomic bomb.
Rouhani's spokesman, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, said the draft law infringed the country's defence and security policies.

Iran MPs pass bill to safeguard N-programme

AFP, TEHRAN: Irans parliament approved a bill yesterday that lawmakers said would protect the countrys nuclear programme, an intervention that comes as the government tries to seal a deal with world powers. The move quickly exposed tension between President Hassan Rouhanis government and lawmakers in Tehran, where hardliners routinely voice doubts about the merit of talking to the West. Rouhanis spokesman said the bill, which still has to be signed into law by Irans Guardian Council, was unconstitutional. The action in parliament, just one week before the nuclear deal deadline, is unlikely to immediately affect those talks but it could prove a complication after an accord is signed because the bill lays down terms for MPs accepting its terms. Rouhani, a moderate who aims to end Irans diplomatic isolation, wants a deal to ensure the lifting of sanctions that have hobbled the economy. However critics of his nuclear policy, including members of the conservative-dominated legislature, say too many concessions have been made. The bill says the government must preserve the countrys nuclear rights and achievements, a reference to retaining the ability to enrich uranium and continuing to keep all its nuclear facilities open. Such demands have already been enshrined in an outline agreement struck on April 2 between Iran and the P5+1 powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany. But the bill, whose backers said it would protect Irans negotiating team from further demands, goes further and says sanctions must be lifted on the day Iran starts implementing its obligations. The timing of removal has become important as members of the P5+1 have said it can only happen upon international verification that Iran has met requirements laid down under a deal. Some 214 lawmakers out of 244 present supported the bill, with 10 against, six abstentions and the remainder not voting. Bargaining over a final deal, due by June 30, intensified on Monday when Britain and France reiterated that comprehensive inspections of Irans nuclear facilities are essential. The bill passed in Tehran allows inspections of nuclear sites but not military or sensitive non-nuclear establishments -- a refusal likely to alarm Western powers given their longstanding suspicion Iran is covertly developing an atomic bomb. Rouhanis spokesman, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, said the draft law infringed the countrys defence and security policies.