Iranian Official Says Draft U.S. Deal Would Leave Tehran Under Washington’s Control

Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chairman of Iran’s parliament committee on national security and foreign policy, launched a fierce attack on the emerging deal with the United States, saying it would turn Iran into an American “colony.” He said Washington has promised a $300 billion reconstruction package that would come from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but dismissed that pledge as empty, asking what would happen if the U.S. later said the Saudis refused to pay.

According to Nabavian, the draft says every expenditure must be approved by both sides, which would give Washington a veto over every dollar and allow it to block any transfer it suspects could reach the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC. He said, “No real money will enter the country.” He added that the agreement effectively turns Iran into a dependent state with no sovereignty.

Nabavian also said the U.S. demanded, five times during the talks, a complete end to Iran’s nuclear industry. Under the current wording, he claimed, Iran would have no right to rebuild its nuclear program, and Washington would lift no sanctions. He said the parliamentary plan regarding the Strait of Hormuz has now become useless because of the draft.

The Iranian lawmaker said American negotiators dismissed Iran’s scientific capabilities, claiming it cannot enrich uranium even to 20 percent, despite the U.S. having supplied Iran with 93 percent enriched fuel before the 1979 revolution. He added that today Washington even opposes enrichment to 60 percent. His remarks came as the U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions on Iran’s shadow banking network, which it said had been used to launder billions of dollars, as the Trump administration continues its maximum pressure campaign against the regime’s financing and missile development.