Zarif to Brief MPs on JCPOA

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to attend a hearing of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on Monday to give an update on the latest developments related to the implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal. Earlier this month, lawmakers invoked a Majlis bill to call for government action against a US Congress measure aimed at extending Iran Sanctions Act for another decade, Fars News Agency reported. The bill, which was passed by Iran's Parliament in October last year, obliges the government to stop cooperation on the pact in the event of any breach by the other side and move to restore pre-deal levels of nuclear activity. Sanctions against Iran were eased under the landmark accord with major powers, in return for time-bound curbs on its nuclear program. The White House has said the ISA bill has become law without President Barack Obama's signature. In a letter to European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, on Saturday, Zarif requested a meeting of the panel overseeing the implementation of the agreement, known as the Joint Commission, to discuss the issue. In response to the US sanctions move, Iran ordered its scientists on Tuesday to start developing systems for nuclear-powered marine vessels.