Reid: Senate to Consider Stronger Sanctions Against Iran

If needed

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday the Senate might pursue stronger sanctions against Iran, after lawmakers criticized a nuclear accord that would ease sanctions.

Reid called the pact negotiated between six world powers and Iran an "important first step," but expressed uncertainty whether it would be good enough.

"When we come back, we'll take a look at this to see if we need stronger sanctions," he said in an interview on "The Diane Rehm Show."

Reid said Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) would study, and could hold hearings on, the pact.

"If we need to do stronger sanctions, I'm sure we will do that," he said. "We'll move forward appropriately."