Senate Endorses Continuation of Sanctions Against Iran

The U.S. Senate voted 99-0 to adopt a resolution calling for continued and stronger sanctions against Iran.

The resolution, S. Res. 65, also includes a statement of support for Israel if that nation decides to act against Iran.

The resolution states that the U.S. should support Israel “in accordance with United States law and the constitutional responsibility of Congress to authorize the use of military force” if Israel “is compelled to take military action in legitimate self-defense against Iran’s nuclear weapons program.”

Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez said during floor debate that the resolution would send two messages.

One message, the New Jersey Democrat said, is “Israel, we continue to be your faithful ally.”

The other message, he said, is to Iran. “We cannot allow Iran to bide more time by talking even as the centrifuges keep spinning,” he said. “Iran’s leaders must understand that unless they change their course, their situation will only get worse. Their pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities will make them less, not more, secure.”

Separately, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved, by voice vote, a measure that would permit further trade restrictions with Iran.

The actions coincide with a visit to the region by Secretary of State John Kerry.