Iran's Supreme Leader approves nuclear deal -- with conditions
Updated 12:46 PM ET, Wed October 21, 2015
(CNN)Iran's Supreme Leader has conditionally approved the nuclear deal signed between his country and six world powers in July.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's official website carries a letter from the Supreme Leader to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani endorsing the deal, subject to certain conditions.
The nuclear deal will be rendered void if any future sanctions are imposed on Iran by any country, or under any pretext -- including "human rights" and "alleged support of terrorism," according to the letter.
The letter lists a series of nine key conditions before saying, "The motion passed by the National Security Council ... adhering to the points mentioned, is approved."
Violation of agreement
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement confirming the letter.
"In his letter Ayatollah Khamenei warned against any breach of the deal by the other side. The Supreme Leader noted that any remarks by the other side that says the structure of the sanctions will remain unchanged or imposition of any sanctions on Iran at any level under any pretext would translate into the violation of the JCPOA," referring to the formal name of the deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iranian lawmakers passed a bill last week allowing the Iranian government to implement the agreement, the state-run news agency IRNA reported.
Nuclear restrictions
Under the agreement, international sanctions on Iran will be lifted in return for restrictions on its nuclear activities, which will be inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The deal is aimed at preventing Iran from being able to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran insists its intentions are peaceful.
Top negotiators from Iran and a group of world powers known as the P5+1 -- made up of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany -- reached the nuclear agreement in Vienna, Austria, in July.
The agreement has faced opposition from some quarters, notably the Israeli government and U.S. Republicans.
Khamenei has previously vowed that the historic agreement won't change his government's stance toward the United States after decades of hostility and distrust.