The Democratic and Republican senators largely responsible for tough sanctions on Iran are warning of more penalties if any deal with Tehran on its nuclear work is unacceptable.

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois said in a statement Wednesday that a good deal must dismantle, not stall, Iran’s nuclear program. They said it must prevent Tehran from being on the cusp of becoming a nuclear weapons state.

The two said that if a potential deal fails to achieve these goals, they will work with other lawmakers to act as they have in the past.

Menendez and Kirk have secured overwhelming support for sanctions and are certain to win strong backing in the Republican-led Senate next year.

(AP)