The U.S. Senate Thursday voted without objection to extend an Iran sanctions law for 10 more years, to which the White House said it will "take a look"

The law, named the Iran Sanctions Extension Act, reauthorized the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 which restricted Iran's banking, defense and energy sectors.

"Preserving these sanctions is critical given Iran's disturbing pattern of aggression and its persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

The vote was backed by the entire chamber except Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who didn't vote.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the president "will take a look at the bill that's been passed by Congress."

"There are plenty of times where the President has signed into law bills that Congress has passed that we're not sure are entirely necessary," Earnest commented on the issue previously.

The bill, passed through the House of Representatives last week 419-1, is strongly opposed by the Iranian government, which says the bill runs against the nuclear treaty both country signed last year.

"The Islamic Republic will definitely react to it," Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.

Related

• Iran urges full sanction lift for nuclear deal
• EU extends sanction relief on Iran to November 24

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)