EMET Criticizes Faulty Media Reports that the Iranians Endorsed the Iran Deal

 EMET Criticizes Faulty Media Reports that the Iranians Endorsed the Iran Deal

(Washington, DC, October 23, 2015)  Today, the Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET) strongly criticized faulty reporting by the media that the leadership of Iran had endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), i.e., the P 5 plus 1 deal with Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Among other news organs, The New York Times and The Hill have reported that the Iranian Parliament and, most importantly, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, have endorsed the JCPOA. The Times reported that “Iran’s Supreme leader on Wednesday publicly endorsed for the first time the July nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, state news agencies reported.”

However, these reports are simply not true. 

In October of 2015, the JCPOA went before the Majlis, which is the Iranian Parliament. The Iranian parliament rejected the text of the American approved JCPOA. Instead, the Majlis approved their own version of the JCPOA, 1000 pages long, which, among other things, strips the US’ ability to “snapback” sanctions, calls for strengthening Iran’s defenses, especially by developing its missile arsenal, and calls for the dismantling of Israel’s nuclear weapons program. Leader Khamenei has endorsed this new version of the JCPOA.

Confirmation that the Majlis and Khamenei adopted and endorsed the Iranian version of the JCPOA – and not the American approved JCPOA – may be seen in this Reuters report; in writings (and here and here) by noted Iranian expert Amir Taheri; and in a commentary by another noted Iranian expert, Michael Rubin.

Although Iran is officially considered an Islamic Republic, with a Parliament and a President, in reality, the Supreme Leader of Iran holds almost absolute power. The President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, actually reports to Leader Khamenei. The majilis is also subsidiary to the Leader. Therefore, Supreme Leader Khamenei’s endorsement of the Iranian version of the JCPOA is all that matters in Iran. And the Iranian version of the JCPOA that he endorsed is simply not the same as the JCPOA that the US, and the UN, has endorsed.

“Iran has not endorsed the Iran deal. Leader Khamenei has not endorsed the deal. For the media to report otherwise is false and dangerous.” Sarah Stern, the Founder and President of EMET said. “The media needs to do their job, and immediately correct the record on this.” Stern added.