US House passes Iran sanctions, financial services measures

The US House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation linked to the international nuclear agreement with Iran on Thursday, one year after the landmark pact was announced, defying President Barack Obama's veto threat.

A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage during the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria July 14, 2015. (Credit: Reuters)
A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage during the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria July 14, 2015. (Credit: Reuters)

Voting largely along party lines, the Republican-controlled House voted 246 to 179 to pass a new set of sanctions on Iran, and 246 to 181 for a measure to block Iran's access to the US financial system, including use of the dollar.

The House on Wednesday passed a bill to bar the US purchase of "heavy water," also with little backing from Democrats.

Heavy water is a non-radioactive byproduct from making nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. The Obama administration said in April the United States would buy US$8.6 million worth of heavy water from Iran, angering Republicans who called it a subsidy of the country's nuclear programme.

The measures were among the last the House passed before Congress left Washington for a seven-week summer recess. There was no word on when, or whether, the measures would be taken up in the Senate.

Reuters