Top Iranian negotiator aims to downplay impact of US lawmakers on final nuclear deal with world powers.
Efforts made by the US Congress to ensure oversight on any final nuclear deal with Iran will not deter from the diplomatic process between the Islamic Republic and world powers, Tehran\’s top negotiator said Monday.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi criticized US lawmakers for moves he said opposed the principles of good will by seeking to pass legislation that would allow Congressional review of any comprehensive nuclear deal, Iran\’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported.
"We are negotiating with six countries and the approvals of a country\’s Congress cannot distort the process (of the talks)," Fars quoted him as saying to reporters.
Araqchi added that Iran viewed the Obama administration as the sole, legitimate American decision-making body involved in the process.
"We assume the US administration as to be responsible for the undertakings that it will accept in a possible agreement and it should implement them and they, themselves, should settle their problems with the Congress domestically," he was quoted as saying.
Araqchi\’s remarks came after the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bill last week with overwhelming bipartisan support – and endorsement from the White House – that will grant Congress oversight powers for an agreement with Iran on its nuclear program.