Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday dismissed pressure from the US Congress over a preliminary deal on Iran’s nuclear program, saying that Tehran is dealing with world powers not American lawmakers. In a speech to tens of thousands of Iranians in the northern city of Rasht, Rouhani said his nation is pursuing a “dignified” agreement with the six-member group the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.
Rouhani’s remarks were an apparent reaction to developments on Tuesday in Washington, where President Barack Obama bowed to pressure from Republicans and Democrats and agreed to sign compromise legislation empowering Congress to reject a final nuclear deal with Iran. The legislation is now expected to sail through both houses of Congress but it is unclear how it will affect the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran.
Tehran and world powers reached a framework agreement on the deal earlier this month. The deal, which is to be finalised by June 30, is meant to curb Iran’s nuclear program in return for lifting of crippling economic sanctions imposed on Iran. The disputes between the Obama administration and the Congress are an “internal issue,” Rouhani said.