Administration asks Reid for ‘space’ in Iran talks

The Obama administration said Thursday it’s “pleased” with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) decision to postpone a vote on Iran sanctions until next month but asked him for “space” to negotiate.

“We are pleased that Leader Reid is holding off on additional sanctions legislation until after the current round of negotiations are completed,” a State Department official told The Hill. 

“Both the president and the Congress have a responsibility to fully test whether we can achieve this peacefully, before pursuing other opportunities. We hope that Leader Reid will continue to give the president and our … negotiating partners the space they need to pursue these negotiations in the future, if necessary.”

{mosads}The White House had been lobbying the Senate to delay sanctions at least until after the current round of talks, which is ongoing in Geneva. Reid announced Thursday that the Senate will take action in December.

“The Senate must be prepared to move forward with a new bipartisan Iran sanctions bill when the Senate returns after Thanksgiving recess. And I am committed to do so,” Reid said on the Senate floor. “I believe we must do everything possible to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons capability.”

The administration has argued that passing new sanctions now could imperil a pending deal with Iran. The latest round of negotiations broke for the day Thursday without a deal.

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