U.S. Senate Banking Chairman Inclined To Hold Off On Iran Sanctions
Source: REUTERS
(Reuters) - The Obama administration's appeal to Congress to hold off on imposing more sanctions on Iran won key support on Tuesday when the chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee said he would not back new legislation at this time.
Any such legislation could jeopardize delicate negotiations toward a comprehensive agreement with Tehran to curb its nuclear program after world powers clinched an interim deal with Iran last month, President Barack Obama's administration has argued.
"The president and Secretary (of State John) Kerry have made a strong case for a pause in Congressional action on new Iran sanctions, so I am inclined to support their request and hold off on committee action for now," Democratic Senator Tim Johnson said in a statement.
The Banking Committee oversees sanctions legislation in the Senate, and has been debating for months whether to go ahead with new restrictions to push Tehran to roll back its nuclear program.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/10/us-iran-nuclear-committee-idUSBRE9B91AE20131210