FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2011, file photo Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. speaks to reporters following a Republican policy meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. [/caption]The details of the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries have not been made public, but US Senator Graham said he strongly believed the US administration had offered relief from sanctions that could only be repealed by the US Congress, not through executive action.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Part ofUS President Barack Obama administrations position inthe ongoing negotiations overIrans nuclear program includes lifting congressional sanctions withoutprior approval fromthe US Congress, US Senator Lindsey Graham told Sputnik onTuesday.When it comes torelieving congressional sanctions [President Obama] is not going tohave the final say, we [the US Congress] are, Graham told Sputnik.
Asked if he was certain that relief fromcongressional sanctions are part ofthe negotiations, Graham said, Absolutely. Why would the Iranians agree toa deal where the congressional sanctions, which are very tough, are still inplace?
The details ofthe negotiations betweenIran and the P5+1 group ofcountries have not been made public, butGraham said he strongly believed the US administration had offered relief fromsanctions that could only be repealed bythe US Congress, not throughexecutive action.
Thats why I did the letter, Graham said, referring toa letter signed by47 US Congressmen and delivered onMonday tothe leadership ofIran.The letter states that any agreement reached betweenthe United States and Iran withoutcongressional approval would be a mere executive agreement, and could be repealed afterObama left office.
So far, the only agreement that has been finalized inthe nuclear talks is the Joint Plan ofAction, which stipulates relief from temporarily suspend certain sanctions the US has againstIran inthe petrochemical industry, the automobile sector, and some financial sanctions, according tothe US Department ofTreasury.
A further agreement is pending a decision bythe negotiating parties atthe end ofMarch, according tothe White House.
By Sputnik News
