Senators vow to ‘act decisively’ against weak Iran nuke deal

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezYear-end deal creates American Latino, women's history museums Lawmakers call for including creation of Latino, women's history museums in year-end spending deal Trump offered 0 million to terrorism victims to save Sudan-Israel deal  MORE (D-N.J.) and Sen. Mark KirkMark Steven KirkSenate majority battle snags Biden Cabinet hopefuls The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Senate makes SCOTUS nominee Barrett a proxy for divisive 2020 Senate Republicans scramble to put Trump at arm's length MORE (R-Ill.) are warning the Obama administration that they will “act decisively” to toughen sanctions against Iran if they don't approve of any potential nuclear deal.

“As co-authors of bipartisan sanctions laws that compelled Iran to the negotiating table, we believe that a good deal will dismantle, not just stall, Iran’s illicit nuclear program and prevent Iran from ever becoming a threshold nuclear weapons state," they said in a statement on Wednesday.

“If a potential deal does not achieve these goals, we will work with our colleagues in Congress to act decisively, as we have in the past,” they added.

The pair unveiled sanctions legislation earlier in the year, winning support from lawmakers in both parties. But Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) refused to allow a vote amid opposition from the White House, which warned the bill would derail nuclear talks with Iran.

Representatives from the P5+1 group — the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany — have until Nov. 24 to negotiate a deal with Iran that would curb the country’s nuclear arms program.

Any agreement is likely to face scrutiny on Capitol Hill, where many believe Iran is trying to stall international action while it continues its nuclear program.

Menendez and Kirk said a deal should require "stringent limits on nuclear-related research, development and procurement," and for Iran to come clean on all "possible military dimension issues."

Any agreement should also include a "robust inspection and verification regime for decades," to prevent Iran from covertly becoming a nuclear power. 

"Gradual sanctions relaxation would only occur if Iran strictly complied with all parts of the agreement," they said.