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22:38 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (KUNA) -- US President Barack Obama is expected to sign a 10-year extension of economic sanctions on Iran, but the US is committed to the nuclear deal sanctions relief so long as Tehran complies with its provisions.
The Senate had earlier voted 99-0 in favour of passing the Iran Sanctions Act which will need to be finalised by President Obama before becoming a law, while Iran has expressed outrage over the move.
"Our expectation is that the president will sign the legislation," State Department spokesman John Kirby said at a press conference on Friday.
Kirby said that the extension is "not necessary," however the move is "entirely consistent" with US commitments towards the nuclear deal signed with world powers last year.
"So long as Iran adheres to its commitments under the Iran deal, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to maintain sanctions relief," he stressed.
"An extension of the Iran sanctions act does not constrain the United States' ability to uphold our commitments, and it does not affect in any way the scope of the sanctions relief that Iran is receiving under the deal," he said. (end)
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