‘Sanctions will fly out of Congress’ if Iran reneges, Dem warns

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) warned Sunday that if Iran does not satisfy the requirements of the interim agreement that curbs its nuclear program, then “sanctions are going to start flying out of Congress.” 

“If the Iranians renege, if they cheat, then the deal is off. We not only resume the freeze, we add sanctions. But I don’t think we should take steps that aren’t necessary right now,” Schiff said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

{mosads}While Schiff agrees with the White House that Congress should hold off on more powerful sanctions, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) says they’d serve as leverage.

“Iranians would know we’re serious about sanctions, and it would give us leverage for the administration in their talks,” McCaul said on “State of the Union.”

McCaul serves as chairman on the House Homeland Security Committee.

The White House has been pleading with lawmakers not to advance sanctions bills for now so a diplomatic solution could play out. 

This week, Secretary of State John Kerry and Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will testify before House and Senate panels in a final attempt to halt additional sanctions. 

Iran, meanwhile, provided new information to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday, which says they will start testing new technology that would provide more efficient ways to enhance uranium enrichment machinery.

The announcement doesn’t appear to violate the terms of the short-term deal. Iran claims the technology would be used for the purpose of increasing fuel for power plants and a medical reactor.