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Source: http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/11/30/white_house_opposed_new_iran_sanctions
White House Opposed to New Iran Sanctions
(Foreign Policy) Josh Rogin - The White House announced its opposition to a new round of Iran sanctions that the Senate unanimously approved Friday, in the latest instance of Congress pushing for more aggressive punitive measures on Iran than the administration deems prudent. On Thursday, Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which the Senate passed 94-0. The new legislative language would blacklist Iran's energy, port, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors, while also placing new restrictions on Iran's ability to get insurance for all these industries. The legislation would also vastly expand U.S. support for human rights inside Iran and impose new sanctions on Iranians who divert humanitarian assistance from its intended purpose. National Security Spokesman Tommy Vietor explained the White House's official position that the sanctions aren't needed and aren't helpful at this time.