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Republican senator: Extend Iran talks

by Jesse Byrnes - 03/29/15 11:49 AM ET

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, suggested Sunday that the Obama administration should extend talks over Iran’s nuclear program.

“I think now is the time to push back from the table, and ask ourselves, is it really time to trust the people that we’re negotiating with, the Iranians?” Burr said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

{mosads}”I would encourage the administration, let’s take more time. Let’s not hasten to a deal,” Burr said.

U.S. officials have worked toward securing a preliminary framework over Iran’s nuclear program by Tuesday, followed by an official deal by June.

But Burr said he was concerned about the potential deal based on information he’s been given and said an extension was “better than a bad deal.”

“It doesn’t seem to be headed in the right direction,” Burr said.

“I fear that Secretary Kerry believes that he’s got to get a deal by Tuesday,” Burr said.

Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, agreed on the same program that the U.S. should take its time to secure a good deal by June, adding, “clinging to this deadline really puts us at a disadvantage.”

“I’m for a good deal if we can get one,” Schiff said on CBS, adding that waiting for economic pressure to bring Iran back to the negotiating table “may take years, and they may get to Israel’s red line or our own before that time comes.”

“The alternative is also dangerous, but I’m trying to keep my powder dry,” Schiff said.

Tags Adam Schiff Richard Burr Sunday shows