TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader said Thursday “there will be no deal” if world powers insist on suspending rather than lifting sanctions as part of a landmark nuclear agreement, and said it is up to Iran’s parliament, and not him, to approve or reject it.
His remarks, read aloud by a state TV anchorman, mark the first official comment on the deal since US President Barack Obama secured enough support to prevent the Republican-led Congress from blocking it.
Khamenei has yet to express a clear opinion on the deal clinched in July, which would curb Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions. Khamenei said some US officials have spoken of the “suspension” of sanctions, which he said is unacceptable.
“If the sanctions are going to be suspended, then we will also fulfil our obligations on the ground at the level of suspension and not in a fundamental way,” he said.
Iran’s supreme leader has traditionally had the final say on all important matters, but on Thursday Khamenei said lawmakers should decide on the deal. “It is the representatives of the people who should decide. I have no advice regarding the method of review, approval or rejection,” he said.
President Hassan Rouhani is opposed to letting Parliament vote on the deal, which he insists is an understanding with world powers and not a treaty. Last week he warned that if Parliament votes on the deal its provisions would be legally binding.
The deal strongly backed by President Barack Obama and just as ardently opposed by the Republican Party is now on track to get through Congress.
In the Senate, Democratic supporters now claim a decisive 34 votes in favor, after Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland called the pact “the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb.”
That will allow backers to uphold Obama’s veto, if necessary, of a resolution of disapproval Republicans are trying to pass this month.
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