Is State Department skirting US law on sanctions?
The US government watchdog says the State Department is three years late on its reporting to Congress.
![84657221 WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: Acting U.S. State Department spokesperson Marie Harf conducts a daily press briefing at the State Department April 8, 2015 in Washington, DC. Harf spoke on various topics including the Iran nuclear deal. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2015/06/GettyImages-468927328.jpg/GettyImages-468927328.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=c-Z30M7w)
The State Department (State) is three years late in slapping certain sanctions on Iran, prompting new allegations that the Barack Obama administration is deliberately skirting US law in its quest for a nuclear deal.
Under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA), State is supposed to inform Congress every six months of attempts to help the three countries obtain weapons of mass destruction and certain missile technology. The law requires the agency to sanction violators or justify its decision not to.