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Key US Senate panel approves sweeping Iran sanctions
The US Senate Banking Committee on Thursday approved a sweeping package of economic sanctions aimed at Iran, one of many efforts by lawmakers to compel Tehran to freeze its suspect nuclear program.
The panel, led by Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd, voted 23-0 to pass the legislation, which notably targets firms that help the Islamic republic obtain refined petroleum products like gasoline.
The vote came as the US State Department said Washington awaited a "formal response" from Tehran to a UN-brokered plan on nuclear cooperation with major powers.
"We must send a clear signal to Iran's leaders that, if they continue to defy the will of the international community, our nation is prepared to confront them on that," Dodd said in a statement.