Iran’s Rouhani: Congress ‘not our problem’

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said he is not concerned about Congress joining the debate over a tentative agreement on his nation’s nuclear program.

Rouhani said he sees congressional input on the deal as an internal issue between President Obama and U.S. lawmakers, according to Reuters, and believes it will not have have an impact on the final accord.

“What the U.S. Senate, Congress and others say is not our problem,” Rouhani said during a Wednesday address in the Iranian city of Rasht.

“We are in talks with the major powers and not with the Congress,” he added.

{mosads}Rouhani reiterated that Tehran would not consent to any deal that does not provide immediate relief from economic sanctions.

“The end of these negotiations and a signed deal must include a declaration of canceling the oppressive sanctions on the great nation of Iran,” he argued.

After months of opposition, Obama relented on Tuesday and agreed to sign legislation that would give Congress a chance to review the final Iran deal. The compromise would give lawmakers 30 days to assess the proposed deal’s details before voting to approve or disapprove of the pact.

The vote is significant, as it gives Congress power over whether Obama will be able to waive some sanctions on Iran.

The Obama administration announced its framework agreement with Iran on April 2. The proposed deal lifts sanctions on Iran in exchange for greater restrictions on its nuclear energy program. Tehran has vowed it will allow more frequent atomic inspections and caps on its centrifuge and uranium stockpiles as part of the accord.

Secretary of State John Kerry spearheaded U.S. talks with Iran last month in Lausanne, Switzerland. Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia aided his efforts during months of negotiations.

The P5+1 nations — the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany — resume meetings with Iran on April 21.