Officials testifying before the U.S. Senate last week revealed that the Obama administration is considering when and how to respond to Iran’s test of a ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons on Oct. 10.
“We are now actively considering the appropriate consequences to that launch in October,” said Stephen Mull, the State Department’s lead coordinator on the nuclear deal with Iran, told a Senate committee hearing, according to the Reuters news service.
Some senators have long expressed concerns about the deal, which requires the U.S. and its allies to lift economic sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy in exchange for reductions and more transparency in Iran’s nuclear program.
But the latest missile test, combined with Iran’s continuing refusal to release a Washington Post reporter from custody for more than a year, are being seen as hostile acts that have increased the level of mistrust between two countries that have been political opponents for decades.
“I think the agreement is off to a really terrible start,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, a Republican from Tennessee, told Reuters.
“One area that we all agree on is the need to be tough on any destabilizing or illegal action by Iran,” Corker said.
Reportedly under consideration is the renewal of economic sanctions that were due to be lifted in January under the deal.
Sanctions renewal, a prospect that would surely enrage Iran, got a boost last week when a team of current sanctions monitors reported that the missile test violated United Nations resolutions.
“We have a very permissive environment,” said Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), an opponent of the nuclear deal.
Most Republican senators signed on to a letter sent to Obama last week labeling Iran’s activities as reflecting “blatant disregard for its international obligations,” Reuters said.
