TEHRAN – Two hundred and sixty four members of Iran’s Majlis have urged the government to take appropriate measures to retaliate against a piece of anti-Iran legislation approved by U.S. senate on Thursday, IRNA reported on Sunday. 

“In a showy move, members of the U.S. Congress renewed the unfair law of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) against the great Iranian nation,” said the parliamentarians in a statement read out at the end of Sunday’s session.

They described the move as a shattering blow to the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, which was reached in Vienna on 14 July 2015 between Iran and six world powers. 

The parliamentarians added that the move came as international authorities, American officials included, have repeatedly acknowledged Iran’s fulfillment of its obligations.

They further denounced the United States for its irresponsible action and for failing to abide by its international commitments.

The members of the parliament also urged the government to take retaliatory measures as soon as possible.

On Thursday, the U.S. Senate approved the legislation which extends sanctions on Iran for another 10 years. 

The White House has questioned the usefulness of the legislation, but indicated the president will sign it into law.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday warned that the Islamic Republic will halt the implementation of the nuclear accord if the U.S. sanctions are re-imposed on the country. 

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has said that the extension has no executive effect, indicating that the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry would use his authority to waive all of the relevant nuclear-related sanctions authorized by the legislation.

Tehran has on numerous occasions questioned Washington’s commitment to the deal, rapping the country for placing obstacles in the path of JCPOA implementation.

Addressing the Iranian parliament on Sunday, President Rouhani said Iran will not tolerate the JCPOA’s violation by any of the P5+1 group of countries.

He added that the renewal of the ISA is “in blatant contravention of the JCPOA, and will be followed by Iran’s decisive response.”

MH/AK