No Easy Path to Ratification of Additional Protocol: Iranian MP
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian lawmaker said adopting the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) comes within the purview of the parliament, adding that he expects no easy path towards its ratification in the legislature.
Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday, Chairman of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said if and when Tehran is required to adopt the Additional Protocol under a final nuclear deal with world powers, the lawmakers will decide on it.
"It is not time now for discussions on this issue (ratifying the Additional Protocol)," he explained.
Boroujerdi noted that there are plenty of opposing views in the Majlis (Iran's parliament) about adopting the Additional Protocol and that the road towards such a measure in the Majlis will be "definitely not an easy one."
His comments came after Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on April 2 reached a framework agreement on Tehran's civilian nuclear program after intensive negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland, with both sides committed to push for a final, comprehensive accord until the end of June.
The framework provides a series of solutions that will be the basis of a comprehensive joint plan of action.
According to the framework agreement, "a set of measures have been agreed to monitor the provisions of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) including implementation of the modified Code 3.1 and provisional application of the Additional Protocol."
The Additional Protocol allows reinforced and unannounced inspections of a country's nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and requires that information be provided on all activities regarding the nuclear fuel cycle.
Iran, a signatory of the NPT, voluntarily implemented the additional protocol between 2003 and 2005, but ceased to apply it after its nuclear case was sent to the United Nations Security Council.
The Additional Protocol substantially expands the IAEA's ability to check nuclear facilities by providing the agency with authority to visit any facility, declared or not, to investigate questions about or inconsistencies in a state's nuclear declarations. States party to the NPT are not required to adopt an additional protocol, although the IAEA is urging all to do so.
