WASHINGTON, July 27 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement after voting against legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea:

“I am strongly supportive of sanctions on Russia and North Korea. I worry very much, however, about President Trump’s approach to Iran, especially in light of his recent comments that he will refuse to recertify Iran’s compliance with the nuclear agreement. The United States needs to engage in an even-handed approach to the crises in the Middle East, and find ways to address not only Iran’s activities, but also Saudi Arabia’s decades-long support for radical extremism. I think new sanctions on Iran at this time take us in a dangerous direction.”