New sanctions would sabotage deal

Robert Gates

Proposals by US lawmakers to impose new sanctions against Iran would be a mistake that would sabotage a possible diplomatic deal with Tehran, former Pentagon chief Robert Gates warned Thursday.
"I think that the president's opposition to a bill that would impose additional sanctions now is absolutely right," Gates said at an event highlighting his newly released memoir.
"To vote additional sanctions today would be I think a deal-killer," said Gates, who served as defense secretary under President Barack Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush.
The Obama administration has lobbied against a push by some members of Congress to introduce additional economic sanctions over Iran's nuclear program, saying it would undermine recent diplomatic progress after Tehran agreed to a six-month interim accord.