Senators push for sanctions against Iran

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. senators called on the Obama administration Tuesday to back tough new economic sanctions against Iran.

However, the administration asked for more time to try to broaden international support for sanctions if negotiations with Iran fail, Voice of America reported. The push for new sanctions comes after Iran acknowledged what had been a secret uranium-enrichment plant and U.N. investigators concluded the country has enough information to design and produce an atomic bomb.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., pointed to concerns over nuclear weapons as well as human rights abuses and the post-election crackdown in Iran.

"We must not let up now," he said. "I intend to move forward in this committee this month on comprehensive sanctions legislation. I am committed, as I think my colleagues are as well, to ensuring that this Congress equips this president with all of the tools that he needs to confront the threats posed by Iran."

A draft Senate bill would impose sanctions on companies that sell refined petroleum products to Iran.

Iran has the second-largest natural gas reserves in the world and exports crude oil but does not have the refining ability to meet gasoline needs within the country, VOA reported.