WASHINGTON
Speaking after Iran and the P5+1 reached an historic accord over the weekend, US President Barack Obama lauded the diplomatic breakthrough.
“This diplomacy, backed by the unprecedented sanctions we brought on Iran, has brought us the progress that we've achieved this weekend. For the first time in a decade, we've halted the progress on Iran's nuclear program. Key parts of the program will be rolled back,” said Obama to applause at a Democratic National Committee event in San Francisco.
He added, “Over the coming months, we're going to continue our diplomacy with the goal of achieving a comprehensive solution that deals with the threat of Iran's nuclear program once and for all.”
Still, Obama said that obstacles remained to a comprehensive agreement, but he insisted that the administration would work towards to a diplomatic resolution.
“But we cannot close the door on diplomacy, and we cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world's problems. 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,” said the US President.
Josh Earnest, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, said that the Obama administration is “eager to seize the opportunity that’s been created here,” while speaking to the press Monday aboard Air Force One. No exact date was given on when the next round of P5+1 talks would begin though.
- US Senator says new sanctions forthcoming
“I think you'll have sanctions coming out in the next couple of weeks, actually, that will be bipartisan and tie the sanctions to the endgame. My goal is to get new sanctions in place and the only way they can be relieved is if you dismantle the reactor, not suspend construction,” said US Senator Lindsey Graham while speaking to CNN Monday.
Such a move could potentially derail the nascent accord over Iran’s program.
He added, “I think the new round of sanctions will be focused on an endgame that will make the world safe and prevent Iran from having a nuclear capability. Right now, the interim deal leaves their capability totally intact. The new round of sanctions will be focused on the endgame and it is coming soon.”
Obama could exercise his waiver authority over the sanctions, but doing so would most likely bring him in to a political showdown with Congress.
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