Congress winds up debate on sanctions to hit Iran's energy industry.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS, HILARY LEILA KRIEGERcapitol 311(photo credit: Courtesy)
The US Senate on Thursday unanimously approved tough new sanctions against foreign companies that do business with Iran's Revolutionary Guards or contribute to its energy industry. The sanctions are the latest effort to punish the Teheran government over its suspected nuclear weapons program.Across the Capitol Building, the House was also winding up debate on the bill, putting it on an accelerated path for President Barack Obama to sign into law.RELATED:Congressman: 'Sanctions by July 4'"All options remain on the table"Congressional action to further disable the Iranian economy and force the government to abandon its nuclear ambitions comes after a year in which the Obama administration made little headway with direct diplomacy to get Iran to change its behavior.US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Howard Berman expressed optimism Wednesday that “the most comprehensive sanctions related to Iran” would be approved before the July 4 recess.“It is by far, by far, the most comprehensive sanctions related to Iran that we have ever entertained and – I think we can say – have passed,” Berman told reporters on a conference call.
