WASHINGTON (AP) The White House is warning that the U.S. sanctions against Iran may suffer because of the partial government shutdown.
White House spokesman Jay Carney says the Treasury office that handles sanctions had to furlough nearly its entire staff. He says the office cannot sustain its core functions.
Carney says that includes new sanctions on Iran, Syria, terrorist groups and drug cartels. The office also investigates and penalizes sanctions violators.
Carney says President Barack Obama will be briefed on the issue Friday.
The warning comes as Israel and many U.S. lawmakers say they are concerned about the U.S. easing sanctions as it explores diplomacy with Iran.
