Iran’s Khamenei backs parliamentary vote on nuclear deal with powers

ANKARA – Reuters

In this picture released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech during a meeting in Tehran, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. AP Photo

Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Sept. 3 that he backed a parliamentary vote on a historic nuclear deal reached with six major powers and said sanctions against his country should be lifted completely rather than suspended, state television reported. 

“The parliament should not be sidelined on the nuclear deal issue ... I am not saying lawmakers should approve the deal or reject it. It is up to them to decide,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said. 

“Sanctions imposed on Iran should be lifted and not only suspended ... If not, then we will only suspend our nuclear activities ... Our officials only discuss the nuclear deal with America ... We will never support America’s policies on Syria and Iraq.”   

The White House, meanwhile, welcomed Sept. 2 the growing support in the U.S. Senate for the Iran nuclear agreement and will keep working with lawmakers to secure as much backing as possible.

“We are encouraged by the latest tally,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. “When the stakes are this high, every vote is important.”

President Barack Obama on Sept. 2 secured the 34th Senate vote needed to sustain a veto of any congressional resolution disapproving the nuclear deal with Iran, ensuring the accord will not fail in the U.S. Congress.