U.S. House Approves Tough New Iran Sanctions
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved tough new sanctions on Iran's oil sector and other industries. ● The Obama administration fears the measures could undercut the Islamic republic's incoming, more moderate president ahead of new nuclear negotiations. No date has been set for such talks, which would include other world powers Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. The bill makes no mention of Hasan Rowhani's recent win or his pledge to improve Iran's relations with the world. He will assume office this weekend. ● The bill adopted Wednesday blacklists any business in Iran's mining and construction sectors and commits the United States to the goal of ending all Iranian oil sales worldwide by 2015. Petroleum sales are the biggest source of money for Iran's nuclear program.