Congress gives Obama administration window for Iran talks
Two congressional letters on US nuclear diplomacy with Iran appear to signal that Congress will allow the P5+1 talks with Iran to continue without additional sanctions legislation, at least for the time being.
The Obama administration has gained space to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran as Congress struggles to unify around a single set of demands for a final agreement.
Proponents of tougher conditions claimed victory on Tuesday when 83 senators signed on to a letter to the president spelling out their conditions for a final deal. The letter doesn't have force of law, however, and a less prescriptive letter garnered 395 signatures in the House — along with several key Democrats in the Senate.
Some congressional insiders see the letters as further proof that pressure on the administration has lifted, a clear win for Obama as negotiations resume in Vienna this week.
They point out that Congress over the past few months has gone from considering sanctions, to delayed sanctions, to a resolution — in the end settling on mere letters.
