Obama, Congress at odds over Iran sanctions

摘要

Washington—The Obama administration appears headed for a showdown with the US Congress over Iran, as lawmakers are set to push forward with a new package of sanctions, despite the president’s pleas to give diplomacy a chance. The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled next week to debate a bill that would impose a fresh round of sanctions on Iran, should a comprehensive agreement not be reached by a July deadline agreed to by Tehran and world powers. That prompted officials from the US State and Treasury departments to caution that such a move could risk not only derailing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, but also prompt other countries to flout existing sanctions that restrict purchases of Iranian oil.