Mullahs’ MPs effectively take Iran out of nuclear deal

Eslam Mohamed

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency confirmed on Monday, November 2, that the country’s parliament voted to approve a resolution that effectively means Tehran’s exit from the nuclear agreement if it is implemented, as it requires the government to produce highly enriched uranium, which opens the way for Tehran to possess the first nuclear bomb in the Middle East and destabilize the entire region.

Disastrous decision

This decision also provides for the operation of 1,000 advanced IR-6 centrifuges by next March, and urgent measures are to be taken to rehabilitate the Arak reactor, whose core was removed and filled with cement following the conclusion of the 2015 nuclear deal. Out of 215 MPs who attended the session, 196 of them voted in favor of the resolution and six others objected, while four MPs abstained.

Mullahs’ goals

The mullah regime aims to use this step to press for lifting the international sanctions imposed on it by the United States, especially with the US administration changing following the presidential elections. The decision obliges the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to produce at least 120 kilograms of uranium with 20% enrichment annually at the Fordow facility and to store it in Iran.

Additional Protocol

The decision also stipulates the suspension of the additional protocol that Iran signed in 2003, which includes periodic international inspection of its facilities and allowing inspectors access to sites suspected of being involved in the production of uranium for military purposes.

The decision continued that if the signatories to the nuclear agreement fulfill their obligations within three months, the Iranian government is obligated to submit a proposal to parliament to return to respecting their obligations again.

In conjunction with the US elections, Tehran confirmed that it would look at the steps that any future US administration would take, not the name of its president, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

Tuesday, November 3 witnessed the election between Republican President Donald Trump, who has adopted a policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran and re-imposed harsh economic sanctions on it after his unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018, and Democrat Joe Biden, who has announced the possibility of returning to the agreement with Tehran in the event of his victory. Khatibzadeh continued, “What is clear is that the two parties have realized the extent of the failure of their policies and have not achieved any of their goals. Therefore, the framework for the talks is clear… We see tomorrow’s elections in light of this framework.”

Tehran has previously expressed its willingness to welcome any American return to the agreement, provided that this is accompanied by compensation for losses and guarantees that its withdrawal will not be repeated. Iran has also denied US accusations of interfering in the elections or trying to influence them by sending e-mails to voters. Khatibzadeh confirmed that the accusations were nothing but “allegations announced by the United States.”

Khatibzadeh stressed that Tehran “has repeatedly stated that it has no interest in interfering in the American elections and does not consider that intervention will be in the interest of anyone.” The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently announced that Tehran nearly doubled its stockpile of enriched uranium, which has raised concerns about the country’s continued progress in producing a nuclear weapon. Iran has granted the IAEA access to several disputed nuclear sites that were previously off-limits. A report on those nuclear activities was shared with the United States and other members of the United Nations.