US Republicans Try but Fail to Force Vote on Iran Sanctions Bill

Local Editor

Republican lawmakers tried to force a vote in the US Senate on Thursday on a bill to impose tough new sanctions on Iran if negotiators do not reach what they see as an acceptable nuclear deal, but the measure failed to move ahead.

US Senators Lindsey Graham and Bob Corker asked for unanimous consent to allow a vote, but Democratic Senator Chris Murphy objected.
"It would send a message that Congress does not stand with the president as the negotiations continue," Murphy said.

The Republicans said their goal was to ensure Congress is involved in the process of reaching a deal with Iran before a Nov. 24 deadline.

The proposed "Iran Nuclear Negotiations Act of 2014" would re-impose sanctions on Iran waived during the negotiating process if there is no deal by the deadline.

Iran and the P5+1 countries - Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany - clinched an interim nuclear accord last November [2013], which took effect on January 20 and expired six months later. They agreed to extend their talks until November 24.

The countries have been working to reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement that would address Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program and lift crippling international sanctions on Tehran.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team