Kerry asks Congress for more time and space on Iran deal
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told skeptical Republicans and Democrats on Monday that the U.S. Congress should give him another two and a half months to secure a final nuclear deal with Iran, Reuters reported.
In a closed briefing with the full House of Representatives, Kerry sought to blunt legislation that would give Congress the opportunity to approve or reject preliminary sanctions relief in an agreement.
He was scheduled to brief the Senate on Tuesday.
"We hope Congress will listen carefully ... but also give us some space so we will be able to complete a very difficult task," Kerry told reporters as he entered the meeting.
The April 2 framework nuclear deal Iran struck with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States seeks to limit the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. A final deal is due by June 30.