US, France cite concerns about Iran nuclear talks
Updated: 2014-11-06 10:37
(Agencies)
|
||||||||
US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and French Foreign Affairs minister Laurent Fabius shake hands after a news conference following talks at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris November 5, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
Congress has very limited power to influence a potential deal. It could refuse to lift sanctions imposed on Iran, but it can't stop the president from suspending or relieving some of the sanctions by executive order.
And, he noted: "As we have learned in the last few years, the minority has enormous power to stop things from happening." Obama's party, the Democrats, will be in the minority in Congress next year.
Kerry also insisted that the US is not prepared to extend the looming deadline, just three weeks away with scant sign of a final agreement. But he left open the possibility if, at the end, the two sides find themselves "inches" away from a resolution that has long bedeviled the international community.
On-and-off negotiations between Iran and world powers have languished for years without resolution, and the last time the two sides came close to a deal was in 2008.
But world powers saw a new opening with the 2013 election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who campaigned to end bruising Western sanctions to punish Tehran for its nuclear production.
Israel has also objected to the negotiations, which have become a sore point between Washington and Tel Aviv.
While in Paris, Kerry also met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh _ both of whom have been focused on the stagnant effort to broker a peace agreement between Israel and Palestinian authorities.
- Iran rejects UN human rights report as 'unfair'
- Boeing reports first aircraft-related goods sales to Iran since 1979
- Iran offering new compromise in nuclear talks
- Iran president pledges support for Iraq
- US says some progress in Iran nuclear talks
- 19th Busan int'l film festival concludes with S Korea, Iran winning top prize
- Iran refuses entry to UN nuclear watchdog envoy
- Iran won't replace Russia as top gas supplier - Tass quotes Rouhani
- China to announce new East Asian co-op in leaders' meetings
- Chinese premier's visit to further ties with Myanmar
- DPRK patrol ship returns after nearing inter-Korean sea border
- China donates $2 million to WHO to combat Ebola
- US, France cite concerns about Iran nuclear talks
- New EU Commission chief takes aim at Britain's Cameron
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Special: APEC China 2014 |
Reporting on the route to Tibet |
Foundations of financial folly |
Top 10 richest Chinese in 2014 |
Blue skies ready to greet APEC |
China passes Counterespionage Law |
Today's Top News
Sino-US relationship to advance
Chinese lift profile in US elections
Trade deficit hits record high
Movie moguls gather at LA film summit
Oklahoma seeks Chinese investment
Festival pays tribute to Chinese film
Top Chinese violinist remembers New York
Shanghai FTZ explained
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |