White House: After Senate Approval, Obama Will Decide on Signing the 'Iran Sanctions Act'

Josh Earnest, the White House spokesperson, responded on Wednesday, December 1, to a question regarding the possibility of President Obama not signing the extension of the 'Iran Sanctions Act' approved by Congress, stating that Barack Obama will study the bill if it is passed by the Senate and then decide whether to sign it. Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader in the U.S. Senate, said yesterday that the bill to extend the 'Iran Sanctions Act' for 10 years will be voted on in the Senate this week. This bill had previously been approved in the House of Representatives with 419 votes in favor and one against. This law will require the President's signature after being approved by Congress for extension. In a press conference on Wednesday, Josh Earnest responded to a reporter's question about Mitch McConnell's statements regarding the extension of the 'Iran Sanctions Act' and the possibility of Obama not signing this bill, stating: 'I have emphasized many times that the current U.S. government still has broad powers to impose economic sanctions against the Iranian government if necessary, and there are many reasons and instances for such actions.' The White House spokesperson added: 'One instance was when we observed that Iran was seeking to develop its ballistic missile program, which was not in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution. Another was when we saw clear evidence of Iran's support for terrorism. Or when there was sufficient evidence of human rights violations in Iran. These are instances on the basis of which Iran could be sanctioned, and sanctions against the Iranian government and its institutions have been imposed by the Obama administration because we have had concerns in these areas.' Josh Earnest clarified: 'The government still has broad powers to impose new sanctions against Iran.' The White House spokesperson emphasized: 'We know there is a desire in Congress to increase the President's powers (in this area). We need to see what bill Congress will pass, then it will be decided whether the President intends to sign it or not.' In response to Josh Earnest's statements, a reporter asked him, 'So you are saying that the approval of this bill is not necessary, right?' The White House spokesperson replied: 'So far, the President has signed congressional bills that he deemed unnecessary. However, in this case, it is better to refrain from further scrutiny regarding my statements about signing or not signing this (bill). In any case, we need to see what bill Congress will have, then we will inform whether the President will sign it or not.' If the U.S. Senate also approves the extension of the 'Iran Sanctions Act', this bill will be sent to the White House for the President's signature. Last week, Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, warned that Tehran would react to the extension of these sanctions. Ali Khamenei stated: 'If this extension [of the Iran Sanctions Act] is implemented and operationalized, it will certainly be a violation of the JCPOA, and they should know that the Islamic Republic of Iran will definitely react to it.' However, Senator McConnell also stated on Tuesday that he expects the Trump administration and Congress to jointly review the overall policy of the U.S. towards Iran next year.