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Senate Approves Compromise Bill to Oversee Iran Sanctions Deal
By Kira Zalan
printThe Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday unanimously passed amended legislation that would grant Congress greater control over a potential nuclear accord to lift Iran sanctions. White House officials separately said that President Obama would sign the measure following changes to the language intended to shield U.S. negotiators from interference by Congress ahead of the agreement's finalization. The White House dropped its initial resistance to the bill following signs that Democrats would support the measure. The legislation would create an "ongoing oversight role for Congress and [provide] for expedited procedures to snap back sanctions if Iran breaches the agreement," said...
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The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a measure Thursday that would give lawmakers a say in a potential sanctions-related accord with Iran.
Iran and six nations outlined a possible permanent accord Thursday that would impose long-term limits on the Islamic republic's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of nearly all Western and U.N. sanctions.
In response to White House overtures, Senate Democrats agreed Tuesday to hold off consideration of an Iran sanctions bill until after a March deadline to reach a deal on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
Nearly a month after the start of a 6-month abatement of Iran sanctions, U.S. officials have offered scant details on a promised financial stream for charitable donations to the country. In fact, say some humanitarian aid groups, nothing has changed at all.
Governmental documents published Monday cleared the way for foreign financial institutions to process limited transactions for Iranians but U.S. banks will be unlikely to relax their sanctions policies, according to experts.
As early as Monday, banks will be able to do what has become seemingly unthinkable in the sanctions compliance field during recent years: ramp up their ties to Iran.
The government of Iran and banks under its influence are increasingly using investments in foreign financial institutions as a means to circumvent sanctions, including restrictions on interbank messages, say sources.