Obama vows to veto new Iran sanctions

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Obama vows to veto new Iran sanctions President Obama vowed Friday to veto any congressional attempt to impose new sanctions on Iran, saying they would gut negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program and perhaps risk a military confrontation.

President Obama vowed Friday to veto any congressional attempt to impose new sanctions on Iran, saying they would gut negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program and perhaps risk a military confrontation.

"I am not — repeat, not — suggesting that we are in immediate war footing should negotiations with Iran fail," Obama said during a joint news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Negotiations — offering to reduce sanctions on Iran if it gives up the means to make nuclear weapons — are the best way to resolve the dispute peacefully, Obama said.

"If, in fact, our view is that we have to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon," he said, "then we have to recognize the possibility that should diplomacy fail, we have to look at other options to achieve that goal."

Cameron, who said he has spoken with some U.S. senators about the issue, backed Obama and said his country believes "that further sanctions or further threat of sanctions at this point won't actually help to bring the talks to a successful conclusion."

The threat could also "fracture the international unity that there's been which has been so valuable in presenting a united front to Iran," Cameron said.

Senators from both parties, skeptical of Iran's intentions, have said that increased sanctions will force them to respond to global concerns about their nuclear program.

Urging Congress to "show patience," Obama said he would only agree to a "good deal" with Iran and is willing to walk away from a bad one.

"I respectfully request them to hold off for a few months to see if we have the possibility of solving a big problem without resorting potentially to war," Obama said.