14 U.S. senators promise new Iran sanctions measure within weeks

Reuters
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) speaks to the media after the Senate passed the immigration bill on Capitol Hill in Washington June 27, 2013. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of 14 Democratic and Republican U.S. senators said on Thursday they would work together on legislation to impose new sanctions on Iran over the coming weeks, and work to pass it as quickly as possible. "A nuclear weapons capable Iran presents a grave threat to the national security of the United States and its allies and we are committed to preventing Iran from acquiring this capability," they said. Among the senior lawmakers issuing the statement were Democrats Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Charles Schumer, the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate, as well as Republican Senators Bob Corker, the top Republican on the foreign relations panel and John McCain, a member of the Foreign Relations and Senate Armed Services committees. (Corrects with statement changing to 14 number that signed on) (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Doina Chiacu)