WASHINGTON -- A senior U.S. official says "fundamental sanctions" on Iran should remain in place until Tehran takes verifiable steps to remove all concerns over its nuclear activities.
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman made the comments on October 3 at a Senate hearing on Iran's nuclear program. She said U.S. lawmakers should wait for an October 15-16 meeting of the world's major powers with Iranian officials in Geneva before considering new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Sherman said the Geneva meeting is an opportunity for Iran to offer concrete and substantive actions on its nuclear program.
Sherman said the U.S. government shutdown is hampering Washington's ability to fully enforce sanctions that are already in place.
U.S. and other Western countries accuse Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran rejects the accusations.
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman made the comments on October 3 at a Senate hearing on Iran's nuclear program. She said U.S. lawmakers should wait for an October 15-16 meeting of the world's major powers with Iranian officials in Geneva before considering new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Sherman said the Geneva meeting is an opportunity for Iran to offer concrete and substantive actions on its nuclear program.
Sherman said the U.S. government shutdown is hampering Washington's ability to fully enforce sanctions that are already in place.
U.S. and other Western countries accuse Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran rejects the accusations.
