Economics

Cameron Joins Obama in Trying to Head Off New Iran Sanctions

If the latest talks fail, the president says, then a new crackdown could follow.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama speak at the White House, Jan. 16. 2015
Photographer: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Angela Greiling Keane and Robert Hutton

January 16, 2015 at 6:23 PM UTC

Updated on

January 16, 2015 at 11:38 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, stepping into a U.S. domestic debate to back President Barack Obama, said imposing new sanctions on Iran now would unravel negotiations to keep the Islamic Republic from building a nuclear weapon.

Sanctions legislation from the U.S. Congress would be counterproductive and “put at risk the valuable international unity that has been so crucial,” Cameron said in a news conference at the White House Friday with Obama. The president said his approach of providing limited sanctions relief has rallied other nations and resulted in serious talks that have halted any advance in Iran’s nuclear program.