Majlis JCPOA Report: US Approach Unhelpful

A parliamentary report read out at the Sunday session of Majlis renewed criticism of the US obstructive approach to the implementation of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers.

The accord went into effect nine months ago to place temporary curbs on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for removing international sanctions that targeted key economic sectors, including oil and banking.

"Unjust and hostile moves by the United States have prevented the full implementation of JCPOA and the effective lifting of financial and banking sanctions," said the report, compiled by Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

JCPOA stands for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the formal name of the pact.

"In view of this, the parliament calls on the government to act decisively and transparently and in a timely manner to abide by all the nine articles of legislation passed by the Majlis on October 4, 2015, titled 'the Iranian Government's Reciprocal Action on Implementation of the JCPOA'."

The report requires the government to closely monitor the other side's commitments and, in the event of any breach, stop cooperating on the deal and move to increase nuclear activity back to pre-deal levels and safeguard the rights of the Iranian people.

Despite the Islamic Republic's full adherence to the terms of the action plan, the US has spared no effort to impede the Islamic Republic's access to the deal's benefits, said the report, carried by Iranian news agencies.

***Instances of Hostile Behavior

It went on to single out instances of the US hostile behavior.

Iran has been expressing frustration and dismay over the lack of access to financing, funds and insurance from abroad, which it had expected to help jumpstart its sanctions-hit economy.

Residual US restrictions, including a ban on clearing Iran-related transactions through Washington's financial system, have made overseas banks and companies steer clear of deals with Iranians on fears of possible US retribution over even an unwitting sanctions violation.

Adding to complications, US Republican lawmakers, who control the House of Representatives and Senate and unanimously opposed the JCPOA, have introduced several anti-Iran measures to interfere with its implementation.

The Congress passed new amendments to the US visa law late last year, preventing visa-free travel to the United States for people who have visited Iran or hold Iranian nationality.

The US Supreme Court ruled in April that almost $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.