Nuclear deal: Iran's parliament supports historic agreement with huge majority

The Iranian parliament has backed the deal with P5+1 on its nuclear programme, which would result in the lifting of nine-year-old sanctions, according to state media. With a strong majority in parliament, the Iranian officials have officially approved the deal.

Although the politicians stood firm on their wish to only grant limited access to their military bases for international investigators, 161 MPs voted in favour of the deal, with 13 abstaining and 59 politicians opposing the agreement.

The initial agreement after years of economic sanctions by the world powers, was reached on 14 July 2015. Since, it was initially reported Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei backed a vote in parliament, but he later came out to prohibit negotiations with the US.

However, the world powers US, UK, France, China, Russia and special guest Germany, as well as Iranians themselves, are keen on lifting the sanctions and opening up relations. Some powers in the West have pressed for a deal with Iran because of its geographic and political location.

After almost two years of negotiations, the powers came to an agreement, which meant that Iran will be forced to significantly limit its nuclear operations, in exchange for the lifting of those sanctions related to the nuclear deal.

Iran insists that the operations are for peaceful purposes. The country's production of highly enriched uranium (HEU), can benefit civilians but, especially the Republican side of US politicians, do not trust Iran's claim that it has no planned military use for the HEU.

In Iran, conservative politicians have been accused of delaying the deal, but the news today shows a significant majority in parliament back the agreement.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also raised his issues with the deal, saying it would completely destabilise the Middle East.