Tehran – The Iran’s Comfort Council has issued detailed responses to a letter signed by 150 MPs on the ongoing review of Iran’s accession to the Palermo Convention, reiterating that constitutional procedures (rather than informal appeals) have determined the council’s jurisdiction.
In a statement released on Saturday, the council reaffirmed its role under Article 112 of the Constitution, highlighting a letter that replaces a formal legislative resolution, regardless of the number of signatures in the Congress. The council stressed that the decision was strictly based on a legal order and comprehensive national interest.
The Council has made its involvement is conditional on formal proceedings following the dispute between the Council and the Constitutional Council. The statement reiterated that the signed letters, even by the majority of lawmakers, do not hold legal status in the legislative process.
Responding to concerns about potential financial transparency obligations, the council stressed that neither the Palermo Convention nor the CFT (to combat terrorist financing) requires sensitive financial disclosure beyond the scope permitted by national law.
The Council noted that ratification may contribute to international cooperation, but that important obstacles to financial and trade integration, namely sanctions and limited external involvement, cannot be addressed before realising the benefits.
The statement praised Iran’s approach to conditional membership as a responsible model of the country with a unique legal and political framework. Furthermore, although the process took time, internal consensus led to stronger and more stable laws, consistent with national priorities.
The UN treaty on roughly organized crime, adopted in 2000, known as the Palermo treaty, praises the coordinating international efforts against cross-border crime, money laundering and human trafficking. It has been ratified by over 180 countries.
The Iranian parliament approved the accession of the treaty in 2017 on a massive reservation. However, the Constitutional Council raised objections, followed by several revisions, reflecting legal, religious and national security considerations.
In early 2024, the administration submitted a revised version of the bill that includes strengthened safeguards. The main improvements included binding the reservation and ensured full compliance with Islamic law, the constitution and national security requirements. It defines mechanisms for international legal cooperation, extradition and data sharing, all limited by national authority. It has legal harmony with the updated Money Laundering and Anti-Organisation Crime Act.
After approval by the council and confirmation from the Guardian Council, the final draft received approval from the Convenience Council and was officially published in June 2025.