Iranian MP Condemns US Sanctions Bill as Clear Breach of JCPOA
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian lawmaker denounced the US Senate’s recent move to approve a sweeping sanctions bill targeting the Islamic Republic as a “clear violation” of the JCPOA, a nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers.
“The US Senate’s recent approval of (new) sanctions against Iran is undoubtedly in clear violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and contrary to its text and spirit,” Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi told the Tasnim News Agency.
“Since the international document (JCPOA) has been signed by all permanent members of the UN Security Council, Germany and the European Union (EU), all these signatories, too, should voice their opposition to the move and US’s reneging (on its commitments under the deal),” he stressed.
The parliamentarian further emphasized that Iran’s task force set up to monitor the proper implementation of the JCPOA would take necessary measures to counteract the sanctions bill.
On Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill that would step up sanctions against Iran and Russia. The measure, passed by a vote of 98 to 2, includes new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program and alleged “continued support for terrorism.”
In order for the new Senate bill to become law, it must still pass the US House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump.
Many experts have slammed the hostile move as a breach of both the text and the spirit of the JCPOA.
Iran and the six countries on July 14, 2015, reached a conclusion over the text of the JCPOA. The accord took effect in January 2016 and was supposed to terminate all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran all at once, but its implementation has been hampered mainly due to US policies.