Ebrahim Azitzi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Foreign Policy Committee, detailed the results of the committee’s emergency meeting on Sunday with the participation of the Foreign Minister.
He said there has been close interaction between Congress, particularly the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and there have been numerous meetings over the past year, where ministry officials have attended to answer questions and exchange opinions.
Ajitzi pointed out that, based on the decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but Congress has also passed a law calling for a halt of cooperation with the agency. He explained that lawmakers raised questions about how well the agreement would be consistent with legislation in Congress.
He recalled that during the 12-day war, Congress passed a law requiring the government to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Therefore, lawmakers expressed concern about the exact implementation of the law and the extent to which the agreement complies with legislation.
Ajitzi said the Foreign Minister explained all aspects of the contract and expressed his hope that a thorough review of the specialist sessions and texts could pursue the path through cooperation and coordination that would bring about comprehensive results from the state.
He added that the interaction between Congress and the government could be critical, and on this issue, efforts will continue to protect the nation’s national interests and security.
Azitzi stressed that as a supervisory body, Congress will protect the nuclear rights of the Iranian state and ensure that there is no violation of the law. He said that although some clarifications have been provided, lawmakers continue to compare the contract with the law and that if the process is in compliance with the law, Congress will support it. Otherwise, it firmly supports the law.
Ajitzi ultimately emphasized that one of Tehran’s options is to withdraw from the NPT if the snapback mechanism is activated. “But this is not our only option. Iran has many capabilities, each one being used at the right time. If Europeans and agents (IAEAs) are fulfilling their commitments, the snapback issue will be off the table under the current contract.”
He added that if Europeans want to reject the promise as usual, or if the institution is unable to fulfill its obligations, Iran will respond accordingly.
The NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) has long been the basis of global nuclear policy. As a signator, Iran has consistently asserted its full right to peaceful nuclear technology under the treaty. However, Tehran argues that Western powers, particularly the US and its European allies, are violating their own commitments in both the NPT and the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by imposing and maintaining sanctions.
The “snapback” mechanism introduced under UN Security Council resolution 2231 allows participants in the JCPOA to reimpose previous UN sanctions. Iran claims that while Washington confiscated its rights after unilaterally waived the JCPOA in 2018, Europe does not have the legal or moral status that causes this mechanism.
When snapback mechanisms are activated, it proves that international law and agreements are manipulated for political purposes. In such a scenario, Iran’s consideration of leaving the NPT is presented as a defensive measure aimed at protecting its sovereignty and ensuring that the West cannot misuse the international framework to deny the Iranian state its legitimate nuclear rights.
MNA/6588421