Iran says extension of sanctions act by US Congress violates nuclear deal

Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned in November that an extension would breach the deal and threatened retaliation.

By REUTERS
Updated: DECEMBER 2, 2016 12:59
Iran Foreign Minister Zarif hopes nuclear deal is kept once the dust settles
ANKARA - Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the US Senate's vote to extend sanctions against the Islamic Republic for 10 years violated a historic nuclear deal reached between the country and six major powers in 2015.
"The extension of sanctions by the US congress is a violation of the deal. We will report it to Iran's committee, assigned for monitoring the implementation of the deal," according to a statement by Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi read on television.
Congress members and US officials said the renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act, which was passed unanimously on Thursday, would not violate the nuclear agreement, under which Iran curbed its nuclear-power program in return for lifting sanctions.
Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned in November that an extension would breach the deal and threatened retaliation.
"The American government is responsible of carrying out its international commitments ... The US president has accepted to use its authority to prevent such measures," Ghasemi said, according to the state news agency IRNA.
The ISA will expire on Dec. 31 if not renewed. The White House had not pushed for an extension, but had not raised serious objections. Some congressional aides said they expected President Barack Obama to sign it.
US President-elect Donald Trump railed against the deal during his campaign for the White House.