US takes step towards placing new sanctions on Iran

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee today backed legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile development, support for militant groups, weapons transfers and human rights violations.

The vote was 18-3 in favour of the legislation, paving the way for its consideration by the full Senate.

Lawmakers who backed the bill said they do not believe that its passage, which would require support by the House of Representatives and President Donald Trump to become law, would violate terms of the international nuclear agreement with Iran reached in 2015.

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Both Republicans and Democrats have been clamouring for a response to Iran’s ballistic missiles development and other activities.

But the foreign relations committee waited to take up the bill until after Iran’s election on Friday, when President Hassan Rouhani was re-elected with 57 per cent of the vote.

Rouhani broke the taboo of holding direct talks with the United States and reached the deal to curb Iran’s nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions.

Trump has criticised the nuclear deal, which was opposed by every Republican in Congress and several Democrats. But he has so far not moved to pull the United States out.