US, Iranian officials to hold nuclear talks

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) listens as his fellow Republicans speak to the media after a conference meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington January 21, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

The squabble over the new sanctions bill is only one of a series of issues over which the White House and Congress have resentment toward each other.

In response to Obama's vow to veto any new sanctions bill, Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner announced on Wednesday that he had invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the most prominent opponents to the current Iranian nuclear talks, to address a joint session of the US Congress next month.

"In this time of challenge, I am asking the prime minister to address Congress on the grave threats radical Islam and Iran pose to our security and way of life," said a Congress statement. "Americans and Israelis have always stood together in shared cause and common ideals, and now we must rise to the moment again."

Boehner told reporters that he did not consult the White House or the State Department over his invitation, saying "Congress can make this decision on its own."

"I don't believe I'm poking anyone in the eye," he said, while acknowledging his intention to rebuke Obama's nuclear talks with Iran by inviting Netanyahu to speak to Congress.

The White House later called the invitation of Netanyahu without consulting the White House "a departure from protocol", saying Netanyahu's meeting with President Barack Obama was yet to be decided.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the White House is typically the first point of contact when a foreign leader plans any visit to Washington. "This particular event seems to be a departure from that protocol," he said.

"We'll need to hear from them about what their plans are and what he plans to say in his remarks to Congress before we have a decision to make about any meeting," the spokesman added.