Iran’s FM: Hold a parliament session behind closed doors so we can talk

Iran’s FM: Hold a parliament session behind closed doors so we can talk

Iranian regime Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Jan. 29, 2019 - The Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament) summoned Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday for questioning over economic issues and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Zarif made interesting remarks in response to questions raised by one Majlis member, “Hold the session behind closed doors so I can raise some issues… otherwise, I will not be able to raise all the necessary subjects.”

Mohammad Dehghan, a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission asked, “What is the reason all the nine conditions raised in a Majlis bill in regards to the JCPOA?”

Zarif: “The measures carried out by the Foreign Ministry have been mentioned in numerous letters from the beginning of the JCPOA implementation. To this day we have seen the U.S. go back on its word over the JCPOA. Measures have been taken. As I’ve said before, in this regard the Foreign Ministry acted based on its authority and reported the matter.”

Majlis member Ali Adiani: “The JCPOA was the most important event in the country’s history following the 1979 revolution. The agreement was to be implemented based on the Majlis’ nine conditions bill. If everything is as simple as Mr. Zarif explained, then everything should be all well across the country… I didn’t intend to raise this issue here in this open-door session. On March 4, 2018, Mr. Zarif, we agreed on some issues and you were scheduled to provide me the necessary documents within two weeks for review. Other Majlis members are witness how not even one single piece of paper has been provided to me. The Iranian people know far better than I that the JCPOA is the only agreement with foreign countries in our history that we have lived up to our end of the bargain on the spot and agreed to only relative commitments from our counterparts. Where in Iran’s history have you seen us hand over everything on the spot with full trust and accept to receive our share only in promises? This wasn’t the case even in the Treaty of Turkmenchay. Iran took part in the talks with the specific objective of lifting the cruel economic and financial sanctions… Mr. Zarif, you must answer this question: Did we get enough guarantees? The statement issued by the European Union and the U.S. President must specify clearly that these sanctions are fully lifted. Did we witness such a development? If so, where is the document? If it’s confidential, bring it for us to see. If it must not be published, the document will remain classified.”

Zarif said in response, “Criticizing our accomplishments is quite easy. However, it’s necessary to take a look at the circumstances on the ground and understand the fact that the Foreign Ministry is missioned to carry out state orders. If necessary, the Majlis speaker should arrange a session behind closed doors so I can raise certain issues. I have a duty to defend our country’s national interests in the face of foreigners. Therefore, I cannot express all the necessary issues. Hold a session behind closed doors and I’ll answer the questions.”