House Passes Bill Tightening Iran Sanctions

Passed 400-20

(Reuters)—The House of Representatives easily passed a bill on Wednesday to tighten sanctions onIran, showing a strong message to Tehran over its disputed nuclear program days before President-elect Hassan Rouhani is sworn in.

The vote also highlighted a growing divide between Congress and the Obama administration on Iran policy ahead of international talks on the nuclear program in coming months. Iran insists the nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes.