US Congress look to sanctions if Iran deal falters

US lawmakers are making contingency plans for what happens if or when the nuclear accord with Iran falls apart.

Congress is out of town through the end of the month, but lawmakers are already weighing their options for how to address the deal with Iran, in which Tehran agrees to a six-month pause in its nuclear program in exchange for eased sanctions worth $7 billion.

Lawmakers from both parties are skeptical the agreement will prod Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions and say they will be waiting with even harsher punishment if Iran proves an untrustworthy partner.

The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democrat Bob Menendez, says he is ready to work with colleagues on beefed up economic sanctions against Iran "should the talks falter or Iran fail to implement or breach the interim agreement."

Republican Sen. John McCain said he was "concerned this agreement could be a dangerous step that degrades our pressure on the Iranian regime without demonstrable actions on Iran's part to end its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability."

The Republican said the situation "would be reminiscent of our experience over two decades with North Korea" and it is essential to keep the pressure on Iran.

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is a member of his party's leadership, says he expects the deal "makes it more likely that Democrats and Republicans will join together and pass additional sanctions when we return in December."

And Republican Sen. Marco Rubio adds: "There is now an even more urgent need for Congress to increase sanctions until Iran completely abandons its enrichment and reprocessing capabilities."

The White House says imposing new sanctions now would undermine international talks, but hasn't issued a veto threat.

In an early last day morning announcement, Tehran agreed to pause its nuclear program for six months while diplomats lead talks aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. While talks continue, international observers are set to monitor Iran's nuclear sites.