No internal rift over nuclear talks: Velayati

Head of the Strategic Research Center of Iran’s Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati rejected the notion that a plan to require the parliament’s approval of a likely nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers would translates to polarization of views in the country.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday, Velayati underscored that the Iranian nation remains united when it comes to the country’s major political issues, adding that it is an illusion that discord might emerge between the Iranian people and the three branches of power.

He made the comments in response to speculations about the emergence of polarity and division in the country after Iranian lawmakers prepared a plan that would require a possible final nuclear deal to win the endorsement of parliament.

The plan stipulates that, according to Iran’s Constitution, any possible nuclear accord between Iran and 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) will have no credibility without authorization of the legislature, an MP told Tasnim on Sunday.

Velayati made it clear that the Iranian diplomats are vigorously doing their job in the nuclear negotiations and that there is no need to worry that their morale might be undermined by the parliament’s move.

“They (negotiators) are doing their job and parliament is also doing its own,” he explained.

On April 2, Iran and 5+1 reached a framework nuclear agreement in Lausanne, Switzerland, with both sides committed to push for a final deal until the end of June.

They also held a three-day round of talks in Vienna on April 22-24 and started drafting the text of the long-awaited agreement.