The US Senate. Photo: WikiCommons.

JNS.org – The U.S. Senate voted Thursday 99-0 to extend sanctions against Iran for another 10 years, just weeks after the House of Representatives passed the same bill in a 419-1 vote.

While the vote was largely symbolic, because many of the sanctions were suspended as part of the Iran nuclear deal, it will give the future Trump administration the authority to reinstate tough economic sanctions on Iran if the Islamic Republic violates the agreement.

“Preserving these sanctions is critical given Iran’s disturbing pattern of aggression and its persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) praised the Senate’s unanimous vote.

“Congress’ decisive action signals American determination to enforce the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and re-impose currently waived sanctions if Iran violates the deal,” AIPAC said in a statement.