Iran’s parliament, the Majlis, on Tuesday endorsed the agreement with Western powers aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Implementation of the accord is expected to begin next week.
The Majlis, dominated by conservative hardliners, adopted the motion after heated discussions and sharp exchanges between lawmakers and the administration of President Hassan Rouhani, with 161 yes votes, 59 no votes and 13 abstentions.
Under the agreement, Iran is expected to start work on rolling back its nuclear program from 18 October – labeled as Adoption Day – which includes taking out thousands of centrifuges at its enrichment facilities and pulling out its heavy-water reactor and filling it with concrete.
The European Union is expected in return to adopt a regulation for the lifting of sanctions and US President Obama will issue waivers for sanctions relief. However, these measures will not take effect until what has become known as Implementation Day, the day the International Atomic Energy Agency certifies that Tehran has taken the necessary steps as outlined under the deal.
There is not set date for Implementation Day, though Rouhani recently expressed hoped that it could be early next year.
