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As Iran talks extended, US Republicans want Congress to weigh in

WASHINGTON - Senior Republicans insisted on Monday that the US Congress should have the chance to weigh in on any final nuclear agreement with Iran, and some said the extension of the talks must be coupled with increased sanctions.

 

Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte, three of the party's leading foreign policy voices, said in a statement that they view Iran's insistence on having any enrichment program as problematic and warned that a "bad deal" with Iran would start a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

 

"We believe this latest extension of talks should be coupled with increased sanctions and a requirement that any final deal between Iran and the United States be sent to Congress for approval," they said in a statement.

 

Senator Bob Corker, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he has been concerned that repeated extensions could reduce US leverage in the talks. He said Congress should weigh in before any final agreement but did not call for immediate sanctions. He said lawmakers should begin preparing alternatives, including tougher sanctions, in case negotiations fail.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.24.14, 21:28