Washington, October 09: The US House of Representatives has urged US President Barack Obama to present a report by next February on the progress of his outreach to Iran.
In a provision of the 2010 defense budget bill, lawmakers said they required Obama “no later than January 31, 2010, to deliver a report to Congress on US engagement” with Iran, AFP reported on Thursday.
The legislation also demanded that sanctions be leveled against Tehran should the Islamic republic refuse to “accept the offer of the United States to engage in diplomatic talks,” and if it fails “to suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities” related to its nuclear ambitions.
Washington accuses Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons through its enrichment program. Iran, however, has repeatedly denied such charges, saying that its nuclear program only serves civilian ends.
The bill has also required US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates “to submit an annual report to Congress on the current and future military strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The bill should be approved by the Senate and signed by Obama before turning into law.
—–Agencies