Report: Clinton Opposes New Iran Sanctions

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said she opposes new sanctions on Iran while negotiations with the internationally isolated nation are ongoing, a position that puts the putative 2016 presidential nominee in line with the Obama administration but at odds with a slew of Democratic allies in Congress.

Clinton repeatedly expressed her support for President Obama’s strategy for Iran in a letter to Sen. Carl Levin (D—Mich.), reports Politico, warning that the imposition of new sanctions could derail a rare opportunity to find a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear question.

“Now that serious negotiations are finally under way, we should do everything we can to test whether they can advance a permanent solution. As President Obama said, we must give diplomacy a chance to succeed, while keeping all options on the table,” wrote Clinton.

Clinton’s letter represents a break not only from Democratic allies who favor new sanctions—such as her former senatorial colleague Sen. Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.)—but also from her own views in the 2008 presidential campaign, when she rejected the idea of negotiating with Iran.

Iran’s new president Hassan Rouhani has signaled a readiness to compromise with global powers on stalling—or at least slowing down—part of the country’s nuclear program.

[Politico]