U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is urging the Senate Banking Committee to “pause” sanctions against Iran to give diplomatic talks with Iran in Geneva a greater chance of success.
Kerry is set to meet the senators today, Wednesday November 13, as Congress prepares a new round of sanctions against Iran.
State Secretary spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Tuesday: “What we are asking for right now is a pause, a temporary pause. The secretary will be clear that putting new sanctions in place will be a mistake."
Some senators have resisted the idea of this so-called pause in sanctions, as they believe tightening sanctions could strengthen the negotiating stance of the world powers against Iran.