President Obama allowed legislation renewing sanctions against Iran to become law without his signature in an effort to assure Tehran the U.S. is not straying away from last summer's comprehensive nuclear deal.
The White House had initially said Obama would sign the 10-year sanctions renewal, but as the midnight deadline passed Thursday the president had still not granted his approval. Since Congress is still in session, the bill was enacted as law.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said while the bill is consistent with U.S. commitments under the nuclear pact, the administration has "made clear" the extensions are unnecessary given the president's alternative authorities to punish Iran if needed.
"The administration has, and continues to use, all of the necessary authorities to waive the relevant sanctions" lifted under the nuclear deal, Earnest said in a statement.
The Senate passed the sanctions renewal legislation on Dec. 1 by a 99 to 0 vote after the House overwhelmingly passed it the prior week. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned retribution if the sanctions were extended, claiming they violate the nuclear deal.
The Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, on Tuesday directed his government to build nuclear-powered ships. He also plans to formally accuse the U.S. of violating the agreement, according to the Associated Press.
President-elect Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of the nuclear deal between the U.S., Iran, and five other world powers, calling it "disastrous" and pledging to renegotiate the accord.
Obama signed the landmark pact last year. The agreement intended to limit Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.