EU Takes Note of ISA Legislative Process

The European Union has taken into consideration the decision of the US Senate to extend sanctions against Iran and will wait for the completion of the legislative process, the European External Action Service spokeswoman said on Friday.

“When it comes to the sanctions that the US Senate approved, we note the decision from the Senate and we await the completion of the legislative procedure as the bill will now be sent to the White House, so at this stage nothing further,” Maja Kocijancic told journalists, Sputnik reported.

On Thursday, the US Senate voted unanimously to prolong the 1996 sanctions against Tehran by another 10 years after they expire at the end of this month. The extension was endorsed by the lower chamber of Congress last month and would now go before President Barack Obama who is expected to sign it before he leaves office next year.

Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said the decision to renew sanctions was in breach of last year’s nuclear deal. 

In July last year, Iran signed a historic deal with Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany whereby it pledged to curb its nuclear research in exchange for sanctions relief.