Republican-controlled US House to opt for ‘clean’ renewal of Iran sanctions

Representatives at the Republican-controlled US House are reportedly set to renew anti-Iran sanctions without any changes for another 10 years.

The GOPers will opt for a “clean” renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) shortly after the US 2016 presidential election as soon as mid-November, congressional aides told Reuters on Tuesday.

Initially imposed by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, the act is set to expire at the end of this year.

The move was made in the wake of the US intra-party warfare to undermine efforts by administration of Democratic President Barack Obama, engaged in negotiations with Tehran along with five other world powers that yielded a nuclear deal last year.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in the US Senate were reportedly pushing for a stricter set of anti-Iran terms amid the renewal.

They would need the support of at least six Democrats to pass the bill in the 100-seat Senate with 54 GOP lawmakers.

Some senators are also attempting to pass a law to eliminate the president's right to waive such sanctions.

An accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was reached between Iran and the US, Britain, Russia, France, China, and Germany — known as the P5+1 — on July 14, 2015 following some 23 months of intensive talks.

Under the deal, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program and provide enhanced access to international atomic monitors in return for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The US, however, has continued to maintain sanctions on Iran and a number of Iranian companies and individuals, prompting complaints from Tehran that Washington is failing to implement its side of the deal.

Iran says the US is scaring foreign companies from doing business in or with the country, as they fear punishment for violating sanctions.