TheIranian parliament approved on Sunday a nuclear rights bill that bans international access to its military sites, as Tehran and world powers continue talks onIran’s nuclear program for a deal by June 30.
The bill says,"The International Atomic Energy Agency, within the framework of the safeguard agreement, is allowed to carry out conventional inspections of nuclear sites.”
But it adds a caveat, stating that "access to military, security and sensitive non-nuclear sites, as well as documents and scientists, is forbidden”.
The bill, passed with 199 votes in favor,three against and five abstentions,also stipulatesimmediate removal of all sanctions imposed onIranas part of any final nuclear accord.
These have been the two main points of contention between Tehran and Washington since the announcement in April that the parties would set a course for a landmark deal.
The U.S. wants to roll out sanctions removal gradually and demands full access to nuclear sites, whileIranpushes for full and immediate lifting of sanctions and seeks to limit access.
Tehran has long insisted that its program is solely for peaceful purposes.
The U.S. along with its P5+1 allies -- Britain, China, France and Russia, and plus Germany -- have until June 30 to finalize an agreement withIranon its nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif is scheduled to meet with counterparts from European members of the P5+1 in Luxembourg on Monday.
Iranian Parliament Speaker,Ali Larijani, emphasized Sunday that the bill should be ratified after consulting withIran's Supreme National Security Council.
On Saturday,Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged his country'slawmakers to "cooperate with the governmentat the current sensitive juncture to secure success of the talks," according toIran's news agency IRNA.
Rouhani had saidlast month that"Iranwill protect its national security, military and technology secrets in the aftermath of the nuclear deal."
Supreme Leader ofIranAyatollah Ali Khamenei said on May 20that his countrywill not allow any inspectors to itsmilitary sites or permit interviews with its nuclear scientists.
Iran's Foreign Minister MohammadJavad Zarif repeatedhis country's stance on May 22, sayingIranwill not give access to its Fordow nuclear facility and its nuclear sites, defining them as "red lines”.
(Anadolu Agency)
