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October 28, 2013

Obama Admin Seeks Delay of New Iran Sanctions 
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The Obama administration is asking Congress to hold off on new sanctions
against Iran. At a White House meeting, top officials asked for the
continued delay of a Senate Banking Committee measure targeting Iranian
oil. The administration wants to stall the new sanctions pending the
outcome of ongoing talks over Iran's nuclear program. In an interview
with Voice of America, the lead U.S. negotiator on Iran, undersecretary
of state Wendy Sherman, said she expects Congress to back a sanctions
pause.

Wendy Sherman: "We think that this is a time for a pause, to see if
these negotiations can gain traction. Congress has its prerogatives. We
don't get to control Congress, but we are having very serious
discussions. We work as partners with Congress. They've been very
effective partners as we've tried to approach this negotiation. We need
them to continue to be effective partners to reach a successful
conclusion, and I have trust that they will be."

A new round of talks is set for next month in Geneva. Despite the White
House call, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed
support for holding a sanctions vote by the end of the week.

 

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