"Do not impose new sanctions against Iran" is what President Barack Obama told Senate Democrats at a White House meeting, Wednesday.
Obama said that the new sanctions could spoil the nuclear discussions with Iran. "The president did speak passionately about how we have to seize this opportunity," Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., told the Associated Press. "If Iran isn't willing in the end to make the decisions that are necessary to make it work, he'll be ready to sign the bill to tighten those sanctions. But we've got to give this six months."
Obama further said that the US and the allies will try to strike a long-term deal with Iran that can be messed up if Congress imposes new sanctions, reported the USA Today.
According to the Huffington Post, one of the aides said Obama "made a really strong case for his position on Iran" in the hopes of giving "pause to anyone who wanted a vote while negotiations were ongoing."
The president also discussed about a domestic agenda that focused on hike in the minimum wage bill, an immigration bill, education, and efforts to put the health care law in place.
After the Senate Democrats meet, the White House issued a statement covering the issues discussed at the meet. The President at the meet declared 2014 as an year of action.
