WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of 26 senators Thursday introduced legislation calling for tough new Iran sanctions that the White House warned could deal a death blow to upcoming negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Despite frantic lobbying by the White House, a group that includes top Democrats introduced a measure that would tighten economic sanctions on Iran if it doesn’t cooperate in the upcoming talks, and also sets a minimum requirement for a final deal to curb the nation’s nuclear development activities.
Washington and other Western powers fear Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons; Tehran says its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes only.
The White House warned that the sanctions bill could drive Iran from the negotiating table, or unravel the coalition of nations that has been pressuring Iran to accept curbs on its nuclear program.
Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said President Barack Obama would veto the bill.
“We don’t want to see actions that would proactively undermine American diplomacy,” he said.
Such strong reaction was highly unusual at the mere introduction of a bill.
But sanctions legislation has been an almost unstoppable force on Capitol Hill, and many lawmakers believe that if the bill is allowed to come to a vote it could receive lopsided support.
Colin Kahl, a former Obama Defense official who has been an outspoken advocate for diplomatic efforts with Iran, said the new sanctions could lead to a “diplomatic train wreck.”
Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and chief Iran negotiator Wendy R. Sherman have all been heavily lobbying lawmakers to hold off on new sanctions until the conclusion of the upcoming talks, which could last a year or more.
