Senate Votes to Extend Iran Sanctions Stopgap to Nuclear Deal

The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly approved economic sanctions against Iran, extending them for ten more years, according to reports. 

They believe the move is necessary to make sure that Iran does not violate the terms of the international accord to curb the country's nuclear program. 

The measure passed 99-0 after the House passed it 419-1. President Obama is expected to sign it as well. 

"Preserving these sanctions is critical given Iran's disturbing pattern of aggression and its persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. 

The move comes during the last few weeks of the Obama administration. 

The sanctions are not in effect currently, but Obama is allowed to waive them as long as Iran is in compliance with his nuclear deal. 

Donald Trump has already threatened to scrap the deal altogether throughout his campaign, but the head of the CIA, John Brennan is warning Trump about tearing the deal apart. 

Iran is not satisfied with the recent extension of sanctions, saying it violates the international accord. 

"If this sanction is implemented, this is definitely a violation of the agreement, without any doubt," Khamenei said in an address on state television. "And they should know that the Islamic Republic will definitely react towards it."  

The White House argued against Congress over the sanctions saying that it already has the authority to re-impose the sanctions if needed. But the administration has not indicated the president will veto it.