Iran Sanctions Intensification Plan Approved by U.S. Senate Banking Committee

On Thursday, February 9, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee approved a plan by a majority vote, stating that if negotiations between Iran and the six world powers regarding its nuclear program do not yield results by the end of June, sanctions on Tehran will be intensified. According to Reuters, the plan was approved with 18 votes in favor and 4 against. However, it is not expected to be voted on in the Senate until at least March 24. A group of U.S. senators announced that following a threat from President Barack Obama to veto the sanctions intensification plan during negotiations, they would delay their proposal for two months to allow the negotiating parties to reach a diplomatic agreement. Only four Democratic senators, including Sherrod Brown, Jack Reed, Jeff Merkley, and Elizabeth Warren, voted against the Senate Banking Committee's plan. The proposal was introduced by Republican Senator Mark Kirk and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez. Six other Democratic senators along with 12 Republican senators voted in favor of the plan. After the committee vote, Robert Menendez stated, 'This legislation somewhat fulfills our ultimate goal, which is to prevent Iran from acquiring the capability to build nuclear weapons.' He expressed hope that if the proposal is brought to the Senate at the 'right time,' it will receive broad support from senators of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown had previously urged committee members to hold off on intensifying sanctions against Iran until the end of June. Iran and the six world powers, including the U.S., Russia, China, France, and the UK along with Germany, agreed after 18 months of negotiations during Hassan Rouhani's presidency to reach a political understanding by the end of March on how to resolve ambiguities in Iran's nuclear program and to sign a comprehensive agreement by June 30. Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, stated after his negotiations on Thursday with his German, British, and French counterparts, 'As we get closer to the details, disagreements are increasing.' However, he told the IRNA news agency, 'The effort is to reach a preliminary political agreement by March.' In this context, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee called for U.S. congressional involvement in negotiations with Iran. Power: The Obama administration is not cooperating with Congress on increasing sanctions against Iran. Senator Corker: Congress will continue the Iran sanctions plan. Cohen: Iran has lost $11 billion of its oil revenue. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State: There is still a chance for an agreement with Iran. The Iran sanctions intensification plan has been delayed in the U.S. Senate until late March.