President Barack Obama
"Passing new sanctions legislation now will undermine our efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution," White House press secretary Jay Carney said on Thursday.
"We don't believe this proposal is necessary, as I think we've made clear and we have been discussing with members of Congress for quite some time. We don't believe it will be enacted. We certainly know it's not necessary. If it were to pass, the president would veto it," he added.
Earlier on Thursday, a group of Democrat and Republican senators introduced new legislation to impose further sanctions against Iran if the country breaches the terms of the nuclear deal reached last month in Geneva. The Senate bill also calls for "diplomatic, military and economic support" to Israel in case Tel Aviv decides to launch an attack against Iran's nuclear energy program.
The Obama administration is not satisfied with the new legislation because under the deal no new economic sanctions should be imposed for the duration of the six-month accord.
Last week, US Secretary of State John Kerry told senators that passing new sanctions legislation now would violate the interim deal. Meanwhile, President Obama has repeatedly defended the agreement.
"We cannot close the door on diplomacy, and we cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world's problems," Obama said.
"We cannot commit ourselves to an endless cycle of conflict, and tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it's not the right thing for our security," he added.
President Obama could veto stronger sanctions passed by Congress if he believed they ran counter to his foreign policy agenda.
Comment: "The Senate bill also calls for "diplomatic, military and economic support" to Israel in case Tel Aviv decides to launch an attack against Iran's nuclear energy program."
So, this new sanctions bill - should it inexplicably ever get passed, would provide even more financial and military support than is already currently extended to Israel, free of charge - along with the blessings of the U.S. government. In a common sense world, this would be ludicrous on its face.
Iran is being held with its back to the wall to stick to the terms of the agreement, 'or else', but Israel can defy it - and expects even MORE freebies - courtesy of the American taxpayer - in the process?
Have you wondered at all lately just which country your governmental representatives actually serve?