(VOVworld) - US President Barack Obama has urged the US Congress to seek diplomacy with Iran.

US President Barack Obama (Photo: AFP)

The statement was made on Monday as US lawmakers are preparing new sanctions on Tehran, despite the warning that this move could have a negative impact on the interim nuclear deal reached by Iran and the P5+1 group last year. President Obama said Congress should pursue peace so that Iran can have better relations with the outside world after decades of deep antagonism with the US. Mr. Obama said he gave priority to diplomacy, and that Washington needs to take into consideration Iran’s goodwill before further imposing strict sanctions. Obama affirmed that he would support additional sanctions if Iran fails to abide by the terms of the deal.

Earlier, the White House warned that President Obama would veto any new sanctions to Iran. The president said he is concerned that such a move could alienate Iran from the negotiating table. He also warned that Iranian negotiators might come under increased pressure from the nation’s conservative forces.