Obama: Sanctions on Iran could mean war
Congress told to ‘hold fire’ on nuke program
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama vowed Friday to stop any attempt by Congress to ratchet up sanctions against Iran while the U.S. and partner countries negotiate over its nuclear program.
Obama warned lawmakers they would be responsible if a sanctions drive were to lead to the collapse of the ongoing talks. A diplomatic failure could even lead to a war, which “Congress will have to own” if it passes a new sanctions bill, he said.
“It will jeopardize the possibility of providing a diplomatic solution to one of the most difficult and long-lasting national security problems we have faced in a very long time,” Obama said in a news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron. “My main message to Congress at this point is, ‘Just hold your fire.’ ”
Obama’s language and forceful tone marked a sharp intensification of the White House effort to preserve the prospect of a deal with Iran and signaled deep anxieties about Congress’ plans.
The presence of Cameron illustrated the high-stakes nature of Obama’s tough talk. Many countries are watching closely to see whether the discussions fail, which many fear could lead to Iran building a nuclear bomb that could further destabilize the Middle East.
The charge that Congress is risking war is an explosive one aimed at lawmakers who mostly contend they are increasing the chance diplomacy will succeed by building economic pressure on Tehran.
“This is where I have a fundamental disagreement with the president,” said Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., noting that sanctions would be set to go into effect only if the discussions produce no agreement.
Iran and six powers – the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China – have been negotiating under the terms of an interim agreement worked out in November 2013. It gave Iran limited relief from sanctions in exchange for a halt to some of its most worrisome nuclear activities.
Iran and the world powers missed deadlines twice last year to complete a deal, and critics of the diplomatic effort contend that these failures show Iran is unwilling to yield and that more sanctions are required.
Administration officials argue new sanctions would be seen as a gesture of bad faith not only by Iranian officials, but also by the other world powers at the bargaining table and many other countries around the world. The United States, in this view, would end up with the blame for the collapse of the talks.