Obama surrendered leverage in Iran nuke talks by easing sanctions, critics say

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Mark Dubowitz at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said in an interview that Washington’s economic leverage over Tehran has slipped significantly as the Obama administration eases the pressure of sanctions enforcement in hopes of cutting a deal.

“If we don’t retain significant economic leverage, then we do not have the ability to enforce what will be a deeply flawed nuclear deal against Iranian cheating,” he said.

The sanctions and the post-deal prospects for the Iranian economy are looming as a bigger issue as the talks reach a critical phase. Nearly all Republicans and several key Democrats on Capitol Hill share Mr. Dubowitz’s view that the Obama administration has given too much to Iran by easing sanctions throughout the negotiating process.

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