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The Iran sanctions bill was crafted as a response to Tehran's human rights abuses and its backing of terrorist-designated groups. | AP Photo

By Elana Schor

06/05/2017 07:46 PM EDT

Updated 06/05/2017 09:09 PM EDT

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday night teed up a vote this week to take up a bipartisan Iran sanctions bill, which also sets up potential battles over sanctioning Russia and blocking some of President Donald Trump's proposed weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

The Iran sanctions bill was crafted as a response to Tehran's human rights abuses and its backing of terrorist-designated groups.

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Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and the committee's top Democrat, Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, have agreed to pursue legislation punishing Russia for its meddling in the 2016 election without the use of sanctions, but senators in both parties have vowed to push a debate on sanctioning Moscow regardless particularly given Thursday's hotly anticipated testimony from former FBI Director James Comey about Trump's efforts to shut down the bureau's Russia investigation.

In addition, Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) may yet use the Iran bill as a vehicle to force a vote on their resolution blocking about $500 million in Trump-blessed weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

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Paul and Murphy are targeting their efforts toward a small group of offensive arms sales, citing humanitarian concerns that the weapons would be used to fuel the violent civil war in Yemen.

The Trump administration on Friday walked back a previous suggestion that it might revisit existing sanctions against Russia. But White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short told reporters Monday night that he is not yet not prepared to outline the president's position on sanctions against Moscow or Tehran, adding that more information is expected this week.

Matthew Nussbaum contributed to this report.

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McConnell calls up Iran bill as possible Russia and Saudi votes loom - Politico