Iran's parliament considers counter-measures against US sanctions bill

TEHRAN -- Iran's Majlis (parliament) will discuss a motion to take reciprocal measures against the recent bill by the US Senate seeking to impose new sanctions on Tehran, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

The motion is going to be discussed by the lawmakers on July 2, after the parliament's recess, Kamal Dehqan, vice chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told Tasnim.

Dehqan described the Senate's bill as a brazen violation of the spirit of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Iran and world major powers in July 2015.

On Thursday, the US Senate voted for a legislation to impose non-nuclear sanctions on Iran for developing its missile programs. They voted 98-2 in favor of the legislation.

In order for the new Senate bill to become law, it must also pass the US House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump. The bill, if ratified, will target the individuals and entities linked to Iran's missile activities.

On Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi dismissed the US Senate move, saying Iran's defensive missile program is legitimate and in full conformity with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231, and no move can deprive Iran of its legitimate rights.

UNSC Resolution 2231 calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons."