President Barack Obama vowed to veto any bill that would place additional sanctions on Iran, while receiving ringing applause for his commitment to “take down terrorists and their allies” in a State of the Union speech largely defined by its focus on domestic policy
“Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we’ve halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material,” Obama touted during his speech before a joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate. The annual report by the president is mandated by the Constitution.
In his sole mention of Israel in the lengthy speech, Obama said that the US has “a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran; secures America and our allies – including Israel; while avoiding yet another Middle East conflict.” In addition to Israel, the Gulf states and particularly Saudi Arabia have expressed significant concern regarding the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran.
Obama warned that “there are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed, and I keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran,” but added that “new sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails – alienating America from its allies; and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again.”
“It doesn’t make sense. That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress,” he continued. Obama left a military option on the table, noting that “the American people expect us to only go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom.”
In the coming weeks, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) is expected to be introduced, calling for an automatic renewal of sanctions against Iran in the event that the president fails to submit to Congress the details of a comprehensive deal reached with Iran and the required “verification assessment” by July 5. Menendez and Obama reportedly faced off verbally about the bill late last week during a Democratic retreat.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) has said that he is also drafting legislation that would allow Congress to vote on any potential agreement with Iran — a bill that is also expected to face a presidential veto threat.
Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks quickly responded to Obama’s comments in a statement following the speech, although the official Republican response — delivered by first-term Iowa Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) — did not directly mention Iran at all.
“Despite pleas from Congress and the international community, the president, after exhaustive negotiations to halt their program, is rewarding Iran with yet more time,” Brooks complained. “The Obama administration’s Iran policy is failing. Congress needs to place enhanced sanctions on Iran to demonstrate that we are serious about halting their nuclear weapons program. The president’s veto threat will only empower and embolden Iran to continue as a threat to the entire region and world.”
