Domestic pressures in America, Iran threaten slow nuclear talks
27 Nov 2014 12:41 AM GMT
A seven-month extension in talks between world powers and Iran on a deal to curb its nuclear program emboldened critics in Washington and Tehran, threatening to undermine further talks.
After failing to clinch an agreement that would limit Iran’s nuclear program in return for lifting stifling U.S.-led economic sanctions, the sides agreed on Monday to push back, yet again, a deadline for reaching a deal, until next July.
Iran is negotiating with so-called P51 group of the United Nations Security Council permanent members, plus Germany, but that could be called the P512, given the role played by hard-liners in Congress and in Iran’s ruling establishment.
Even before the ink dried on the extension agreement in Vienna, skeptics in Washington were demanding new sanctions to pressure Iran’s rulers. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, long regarded as one of the most effective lobbying groups in Washington, called on Congress to take up sanctions legislation.
‘Congress must now act to send a clear message that U.S. patience is not limitless and that Iran must not be allowed to achieve a nuclear weapons capability,’ it said in a statement.
Sen. Robert Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from Obama’s Democratic Party, said: ‘The cycle of negotiations, followed by an extension, coupled with sanctions relief for Iran has not succeeded.’
After failing to clinch an agreement that would limit Iran’s nuclear program in return for lifting stifling U.S.-led economic sanctions, the sides agreed on Monday to push back, yet again, a deadline for reaching a deal, until next July.
Iran is negotiating with so-called P51 group of the United Nations Security Council permanent members, plus Germany, but that could be called the P512, given the role played by hard-liners in Congress and in Iran’s ruling establishment.
Even before the ink dried on the extension agreement in Vienna, skeptics in Washington were demanding new sanctions to pressure Iran’s rulers. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, long regarded as one of the most effective lobbying groups in Washington, called on Congress to take up sanctions legislation.
‘Congress must now act to send a clear message that U.S. patience is not limitless and that Iran must not be allowed to achieve a nuclear weapons capability,’ it said in a statement.
Sen. Robert Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from Obama’s Democratic Party, said: ‘The cycle of negotiations, followed by an extension, coupled with sanctions relief for Iran has not succeeded.’
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