Despite Ongoing Talks, Reid Plans Iran Sanction Vote Next Month

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he will move forward with further sanctions against Iran after the Thanksgiving recess, The Hill reports.

"The Senate must be prepared to move forward with a new bipartisan Iran sanctions bill when the Senate returns after Thanksgiving recess. And I am committed to do so," Reid said. "I believe we must do everything possible to stop Iran from getting nuclear-weapons capability."

Administration officials have led a strong push to try to persuade members of the Senate to not increase sanctions, arguing that doing so could unravel any diplomatic progress. Talks are underway in Geneva between the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, Russia, and Iran over its nuclear program. Reid said that he supports those negotiations and the administration's attempt to resolve the long-standing conflict diplomatically, but noted that he is "aware of the possibility that the Iranians could keep the negotiations from succeeding."

Reid's comments come a day after tensions over additional Iran sanctions spilled into the debate over amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act.