fbpx

News

Iran’s Khamenei rejects key aspects of nascent nuclear deal

[ssba]

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei yesterday rejected key demands of the proposed nuclear deal under discussion during a speech broadcast live on Iranian television.

Iran and the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) agreed a framework to a comprehensive nuclear deal in April, paving the way for negotiations to begin towards a long-term accord, which must be agreed by the end of this month. However, both sides have since indicated differences over fundamental issues such as Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges, the pace of sanctions relief and provision for international inspections.

Khamenei yesterday exacerbated these differences. Addressing the issue of international inspections at military sites, which the international community suspects are being used to aid a nuclear armament programme, Khamenei said, “Inspection of our military sites is out of the question and is one of our red lines.” The P5+1 has insisted that Iran verifiably halt their nuclear research for at least 10 years. Khamenei also ruled out this provision yesterday, saying “Freezing Iran’s [nuclear] Research and Development for a long time like 10 or 12 years is not acceptable.”

On the question of sanctions relief, Khamenei appeared equally unequivocal. While the P5+1 favour a phased easing of sanctions in tandem with Iranian compliance with a deal, Khamenei said that he expects the immediate cessation of all sanctions once an agreement is concluded. He commented, “All financial and economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, the US Congress or the US government should be lifted immediately when we sign a nuclear agreement.”

Also yesterday, Iran’s parliament voted in favour of legislation which could further complicate the nuclear negotiations. The bill obliges the government to protect the country’s “nuclear rights and achievements” and specifically would prevent foreign inspectors from inspecting military sites. Iran’s parliament approved a similar bill on Sunday which rules out limiting Tehran’s nuclear research and development and demands immediate and full sanctions relief.