White House: Obama Expected to Approve Iran Sanctions Extension Bill

The White House says that the extension of the Iran sanctions law known as D'Amato does not seem to interfere with the Iran nuclear agreement, and President Barack Obama is expected to approve the congressional bill in this regard. Eric Schultz, on Friday, December 2, in response to the Senate's approval of the Iran sanctions extension plan, stated that they do not believe the extension of Iran sanctions was necessary, but at the same time, they believe that this bill will not conflict with the JCPOA. He also mentioned that the President is expected to approve this bill. The Iran sanctions extension bill passed the Senate with 99 votes in favor and without a single opposing vote after it was approved by the House of Representatives with only one dissenting vote. Thus, the sanctions will remain in effect until 2026 after the President's approval. Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader, consider the extension of the sanctions specified in this law a clear violation of the nuclear agreement, although some observers argue that the sanctions listed in this law are not among the nuclear sanctions and do not conflict with the JCPOA. The White House had stated on Wednesday, before the Senate vote on this bill, that Barack Obama would study it if it was approved in the Senate and would then decide on signing it. The current Iran sanctions law expires on January 1. This law has been in effect since 1996 under President Bill Clinton, prohibiting investments over $20 million in Iranian industries, especially in the energy sector. The U.S. Congress had previously voted in 2006 to extend these sanctions for another 10 years, and with the recent congressional vote, this law has been extended until 2026.