A change of heart or walking the fine line between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, has prompted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to declare that while the nuclear agreement with Iran is an “important first step,” he is keeping a tougher sanctions bill on the table.

On Thursday, before a deal was reached, Reid fully supported immediate sanctions. “I will support a bill that would broaden the scope of our current petroleum sanctions, place limitations on trade with strategic sectors of the Iranian economy that support its nuclear ambitions, as well as pursue those who divert goods to Iran,” he said on the Senate Floor.

But after the Iranians indicated that additional sanctions – not to mnetion easing some sanctions – would break the deal reached Saturday night, the Democratic senior leader said Monday that the Senate will examine whether stronger economic penalties on Iran are needed when the Senate returns in December.

“They will do what they’re supposed to do. They will study this, they will hold hearings if necessary and if we need more work on this, we need to do stronger sanctions, I’m sure we will do that,” Reid said on the “Diane Rehm Show. “We’ll move forward appropriately.”

Reid told the radio host he’d spoken recently to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “If I were the leader of that country, I’d be concerned, too,” he said of the Israeli leader. “I’ve spoken to him about this.”

Reid, however, noted the negotiations made important progress because it was the first time in 37 years world powers such as the U.S., Britain, China and Russia negotiated with Iran.

“We all have to acknowledge that it’s an important first step. Is the first step good enough? We’ll take a look at that. But at least for the first time in 37 years the United States, the European community plus China, Russia, France, Great Britain — we’re all able to talk to Iran,” Reid said about the deal.

Speaking before a Jewish crowd Sunday evening, NY Senator Chuck Schumer assured that Democrats and Republicans are united, working together to see the U.S. does not give up on the sanctions — as the agreement did it — “until Iran gives up, not only all nuclear weapons, but all nuclear weapon capabilities – all enriched uranium, all centrifuges and all the heavy water plants at Arak.”

“I will leave you with that pledge and assurance,” Senator Schumer promised.

Photo/AP

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)