Sen. John McCain said Sunday the Senate is likely to pass sanctions against Iran in six months if ongoing nuclear talks fail, and that a breakdown Friday in negotiations reinforces skepticism on Capitol Hill that the rogue country cannot be trusted.
"I think it's probably an appropriate thing because many of us are very skeptical about the conditions under which this pause is being undertaken," the Arizona Republican told CBS's "Face the Nation."
"The centrifuges still spin, there is still work to be done," McCain said.
Iranian diplomats walked away from the negotiations in Vienna citing their anger with the U.S. for exploring future sanctions. However, an Iranian official also told "Face the Nation" they would continue to take part in arms control talks.
"There is the scenario, if you were the Iranians, to just keep dragging out the negotiations, meanwhile the centrifuges still spin and they progress towards this point where all it takes is the turn of a wrench and they have a nuclear weapon," McCain said.
"Most importantly to us, implicit in this agreement is the Iranian's right to enrich," McCain said.
"We don't think that should be the case of a country that has lied, that has cheated, has concealed from the (International Atomic Energy Agency) and every other organization," McCain said.
McCain added that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had "bragged about how he deceived negotiators."
"I believe they have forfeited their right to enrich," McCain said.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.