Wendy Sherman

War is a last resort, not a first resort.

Treaties require approval by the Senate.

We will continue to pursue all available options until all three Americans return home safely.

The problem--of course the Iranians know we will pass sanctions if they do not agree.

Where it comes to our sanctions on terrorism, our sanctions on human rights, they will continue in place.

The administration believes quite strongly that at this moment in this negotiation additional legislative action would potentially derail the negotiation.

Without diplomacy, we will not be able to keep the sanctions together.

I have said any final agreement must be air-tight, it must be verifiable, and it must be long-lasting.

We cannot lift any sanctions without congressional action.

We made a very conscious decision not to go for a 6-month extension, which was possible under the JPOA, because we thought we would just get to month 5 before anything would happen.

There is absolutely no reason for this to occur.

I want to know is whether you believe an extension will give us a good deal.

I can assure you that in our negotiations with Iran we are quite direct about what will happen and what could happen if we cannot reach a comprehensive agreement.

We believe strongly that any lifting of sanctions will require congressional legislative action.

I reject that as a choice. I believe that there are significant interim steps in between that lead us far from that ultimate conclusion.

We believe that the duration of this should be at least double digits and we believe that it should be for quite a long time.

I hope they understand very clearly that actions like these undermine whatever negotiating posture they have at the table.

We are a country that believes in press freedom.

We will all echo President Obama's clear and firm message--namely, that we will come down 'like a ton of bricks' on those who evade or otherwise facilitate the circumvention of our sanctions.

I think my skepticism is well rooted.

But lately I hear refrains from the administration: But if no deal, what?

I do believe that the Iranians want relief from sanctions and that is why they are at the table.

We are very well aware of the potential risks of any agreement that allows any country to enrich.

All options have to be on the table should Iran attempt to continue its illicit nuclear program.

The IAEA just issued a report recently in which they said that Iran had complied with all of their obligations under the JPOA.