On December 1, 2016, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to extend economic sanctions against companies doing business with Iran for ten years. The House voted affirmatively on the sanctions earlier this year with only one vote against and nineteen abstentions. According to reports, President Obama plans to sign the legislation as it will not impact the Iran Deal, though he does not deem the extension necessary. The sanctions have been in place since 1996. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran, however, considers the extension a breach of the agreement and stated that “the Islamic Republic of Iran will not stand by idly” if the legislation becomes law.