Vice President JD Vance said Thursday the White House has legal authority to lift oil sanctions against Iran without congressional approval, citing an opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel.
The statement comes as Republicans on Capitol Hill raise concerns over economic relief provisions in the newly signed peace deal with Iran.
“We actually have an opinion from OLC that we feel quite confident about that.”
Vance made the remarks during a Thursday press briefing, addressing questions about whether oil waivers listed in a memorandum of understanding with Iran comply with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act.
The sanctions relief has sparked bipartisan scrutiny. Lawmakers are questioning the legal basis for unilateral executive action on sanctions that Congress originally imposed through legislation.
The OLC opinion — not yet publicly released — would provide the White House with internal legal justification to proceed without a congressional vote. Critics argue that lifting sanctions congressionally enacted requires congressional repeal.
The memorandum of understanding signed with Iran includes provisions for oil export waivers, which would allow Tehran to increase revenue from petroleum sales currently restricted under U.S. sanctions.
Republican lawmakers have demanded the administration brief Congress on the legal rationale and economic implications of the Iran deal before any sanctions are lifted.
