GOP candidate backs 10-year extension of Iran Sanctions Act
US presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who is struggling to raise money for his election campaign, has signed on to a 10-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act, after Republicans failed to block the nuclear agreement with Iran last week.
The Texas Republican on Tuesday became a cosponsor to the legislation, which was launched by Senators Mark Kirk and Bob Menendez, The Hill reported on Wednesday.
Senator Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, and Senator Kirk, Republican of Illinois, two key architects of Iran sanctions, want to extend the Iranian Sanctions Act (ISA) of 1996, which is set to expire at the end of 2016, through 2026.
A spokesman for Cruz said the senator's decision to back the bill is "consistent" with his previous sanctions legislation he brought against Iran.
"The ISA, which maintains a large portion of energy sanctions, is set to expire at the end of 2016. It is imperative this act be re-authorized in order to retain the option to re-impose sanctions if the Administration lifts them," the spokesman said.
Senator Cruz has recently emerged as a strong supporter of Israel and an outspoken opponent of the Iran nuclear accord, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries – the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany – in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on July 14.
Under the agreement, Iran has been recognized by the United Nations as a nuclear power and will continue its uranium enrichment program, but some restrictions will be placed on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the removal of sanctions.
The illegal sanctions on Iran have been imposed based on the unfounded accusation that Tehran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.
On Thursday, US Senate Democrats blocked a resolution against the Iran agreement for a third time, sealing a major foreign policy victory for President Barack Obama.
The Republicans failed to gather the 60 votes needed for the resolution of disapproval in the 100-member chamber.
Thursday's vote came after Democrats previously blocked the resolution of disapproval from moving forward twice in the Senate.
‘Trump witnessed killing, disposal of Epstein victim’s infant,’ released files show
Venezuela's oil grab reveals Trump’s ‘supremacist, colonialist’ agenda: Analyst
A million more Epstein files found; US lawmakers slam Trump admin’s ‘illegal’ withholding
Hezbollah condemns deadly terror attack on worshippers in Syria’s Homs
Iran parliament probes missing $6.7bn in oil export revenues: MP
Saudi-backed coalition vows to counter UAE allies in Yemen
VIDEO | Heavy rains, flash floods leave Southern California homes caked in mud
‘He chose to save lives’: Netizens rally for Gaza doctor’s release after a year in Israeli jail
US uses Iraqi airspace to spy on Iran, says Iranian ambassador to Baghdad
Iran facing ‘all-out war’, stronger than before June war: President
Iran’s headline inflation up 1.8% to 42.2% in December: SCI
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
