U.S. State Department Spokesperson: We Hope to Reach a Comprehensive Agreement by the End of March

Jen Psaki, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, emphasized the U.S. government's unwillingness to impose new sanctions during the ongoing 'joint action' between Iran and the P5+1. She expressed hope that the parties would reach an agreement for a comprehensive action by the end of March, after which experts could finalize the details. The State Department spokesperson stated that Secretary of State John Kerry is in close contact with members of the U.S. Congress following his return from nuclear negotiations in Vienna. According to Ms. Psaki, the State Department's clear request is that 'just as we have asked Iran to comply with its commitments under the joint action agreement (suspension of certain nuclear activities in exchange for some sanctions), we must do the same. This means that as long as the joint action is ongoing, no new sanctions [against Tehran] should be imposed.' In response to the question regarding the expiration of the joint action (on November 24), she stated that the extension of negotiations was a mutual agreement. This U.S. official remarked, 'We felt it was useful and necessary to extend the negotiations.' Jen Psaki also added that the United States hopes to reach a comprehensive agreement with Tehran by March 31 that 'will assure the world of the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.' After that, experts can continue their work on the details and finalize them. Thus, the U.S. State Department spokesperson described the upcoming actions as a 'two-phase effort.' Iran and the P5+1 group decided to extend the nuclear negotiations until June 2015 after the expiration of the extended deadline on November 24. Nevertheless, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized that the goal is to reach a political agreement in the 'shortest time' within 'four months' (by March). He stated that after reaching a 'political understanding' as soon as possible, they could move towards 'drafting' it 'as a technical and political package.' The U.S. State Department spokesperson's remarks about opposing sanctions while the 'joint action' is ongoing come after reports of efforts in Congress to increase sanctions. The Associated Press recently reported that the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful pro-Israel lobby, is attempting to increase U.S. sanctions against Tehran following the extension of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six negotiating countries in the P5+1. This pro-Israel lobby mentioned in a statement published a week ago, which was quoted by the Jewish News Network (JTA), that 'it is now essential for Congress to pass new sanctions laws with bipartisan cooperation so that Tehran knows it will face more pressure if it does not clearly abandon its military nuclear program.' Iran has always emphasized that its nuclear program is conducted solely for peaceful purposes. However, the West views this with skepticism. Due to Tehran's non-compliance with the demands of the United Nations Security Council, Iran faces international sanctions, as well as separate sanctions from the U.S. and its allies. Republican members of the U.S. Senate, a part of Congress currently dominated by Democrats, faced defeat on November 13 in their attempt to pass a plan to impose more sanctions on Iran in the event of a failure in nuclear negotiations. Power in the U.S. Senate has been held by Republicans since 2015.