Top U.S. official: Iran not gaining access to U.S. financial system
WASHINGTON- A senior State Department official reassured concerned lawmakers on Tuesday that the Obama administration is not planning to allow Iran access to the US financial system or use of the US dollar for transactions.
"The rumors and news that have appeared in the press ... are not true," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
When Republican Senator Bob Corker, the committee's chairman, asked if such reports were "bogus," Shannon answered, "As of this moment, as far as I know, yes."
During the hearing, some lawmakers said they remained concerned, despite Shannon's strong denial of such reports, because of comments they see as ambiguous, such as his saying the administration was open to discussing renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act if it does not conflict with the international nuclear agreement announced in July.
