McCain: US ‘scrambling’ ahead of Iran deadline

The head of the Senate Armed Services Committee said the Obama administration should be “embarrassed” that it’s considering pushing back the deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran.

“I’m not surprised they pushed it back,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told reporters Tuesday following reports that Tehran and Western powers were preparing to break their self-imposed June 30 deadline to strike a lasting deal.

McCain echoed concerns voiced last week by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) that Washington’s negotiating team might allow Iran to keep secret any of its past atomic work, including military efforts.

“It just shows they’re scrambling,” according to McCain. “They should be embarrassed, but they’re not.”

On Monday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest stressed that negotiators are “continuing to operate with the June 30 deadline.”

“We are sticking to the deadline. The deadline is June 30,” he added during a press briefing.

However, he quickly pointed out that the previous deadline for the talks was March 31 but a interim deal wasn’t announced until April 2. 

“So the deadline is firm, but, you know, these kinds of short-term adjustments may be required in order to complete an agreement,” Earnest said.