A Senate bill intended to tighten economic sanctions against Iran was blocked Thursday by Senate Republicans who said they were holding out for an even tougher measure that included an explicit threat of a U.S. military strike if Iran refuses to curb its nuclear ambitions.
The surprise opposition to the sanctions bill — which was endorsed by a Senate committee two months ago with bipartisan support — left in doubt the fate of Democrat-backed legislation that sought to close loopholes and crack down on international banks that help Iran sell its oil to overseas customers.
Republican resistance to the measure visibly irked Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), who accused GOP leaders of trying to score political points by raising last-minute objections to a bill that has been in the works since March. Republicans claimed they had not had enough time to study the bill.
Full article: Iran sanctions bill blocked in U.S. Senate