Sen. Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) is preparing to reintroduce legislation that would implement "crippling sanctions" on Iran following the recent announcement of a framework nuclear deal quick rejected by leaders in Tehran.
Kirk, one of Congress' chief proponents of new sanctions, told the Washington Post that Iranian intransigence would force Congress to seek greater sanctions.
"It’s increasingly obvious that Iran has not agreed to a framework for a final nuclear deal, especially with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his minions continuing to reject the terms in the U.S. factsheet on the framework. It looks like we’re on track either for a very, very bad deal or for the implosion of negotiations," Kirk was quoted as saying.
"We need to be prepared to impose crippling pressure on Iran if we want to get a better deal, one that Israel and our Gulf allies can truly live with, or if we want to be ready to implode Iran’s economy should Iran walk away from table," Kirk added. "That means congressional passage of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act, which already cleared the Senate Banking Committee in a strong bipartisan 18-to-4 vote on January 29, 2015, and could be called up for a Senate floor vote anytime."