The Iranian Parliament has given its approval to the deal Tehran reached with world powers over its nuclear program, state media reported.

The deal was passed with 161 votes in favor, 59 against and 13 abstentions, the official IRNA news agency said. Debate over the legislation was so intense that physical fights broke out among lawmakers, and some hard-line opponents of the deal cried when the bill passed.

The deal, which has been widely praised by some and completely criticized by many, including politicians in the United States and especially Israel, regards Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Government international sanctions on Iran will be lifted in return for restrictions on its nuclear program. This agreement has been hard fought in order to prevent Iran from being able to develop an atomic bomb.

The bill now goes before the Guardian Council for review. The 12-member clerical body, which is charged with interpreting the country’s constitution. This body could approve or reject it as well as revise and send back to the parliament for reconsideration.

The final say on all matters of state, including the nuclear deal, rests with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has vowed that the historic agreement won’t change his government’s stance toward the United States. Khamenei has made many threats to the United States and Israel even during the negotiations and continues to do so.  

Under the agreement, Iran is expected to start work on rolling back its nuclear program from 18 October – labelled as adoption day – which includes taking out thousands of centrifuges at its enrichment facilities and pulling out its heavy-water reactor and filling it with concrete.