Special to WorldTribune.com

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has urged U.S. President Barack Obama not to sign a 10-year extension of U.S. sanctions approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate.

In a speech to Iran’s parliament on December 4, Rohani said the bill violates a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

On Dec. 1, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act. .The bill now goes to the White House, where Obama is expected to sign it.

U.S. officials have said they’ve determined that the legislation does not violate the agreement that lifted a variety of international sanctions in exchange for limitations on the Iranian nuclear program.

The United States still maintains its own separate set of sanctions on Iran, which will expire on Dec. 31 if Obama does not sign the extension into law.

Rouhani said Obama is “obliged” to let the sanctions expire. The Iranian president warned there will be a “prompt response” from Iran if the U.S. sanctions are extended.

“We are committed to an acceptable implementation of the deal, but in response to noncommitment, violation, or hesitation in its implementation, we will act promptly,” Rouhani said.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned last month that Teheran will retaliate if the United States renews the sanctions.

“The latest is an extension of sanctions for 10 years, that if it happens, would surely be against the [nuclear deal] and the Islamic republic would definitely react to it,” Khamenei warned on Nov. 23.

  Iran’ Rouhani to Obama: Veto extension of sanctions or else, WorldTribune.com