U.S. House of Representatives Extends Iran Sanctions Law
Iran’s sanctions law has been extended for another ten years despite the Geneva agreement. This law must be approved by the Senate and signed by Barack Obama. The U.S. House of Representatives also passed a measure to impose sanctions on the Syrian government and its supporters, including Russia and Iran.
The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 15 / November 25) despite the nuclear agreement with Iran. American lawmakers moved to extend a law that was passed in 1996.
The law passed with 419 votes in favor against one vote opposed. The Iran Sanctions Act paves the way for swift punishment of the country in case of violation of the nuclear treaty.
The law prohibits investment in Iran’s energy sector and prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
The Iran Sanctions Act must be approved by the Senate and signed by Barack Obama, the current U.S. President. If the above law does not receive final approval, it will only be valid until the end of the current year (2016).
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany reached an agreement last year with Iranian officials on limiting Iran’s nuclear program. In exchange, Iran was promised that sanctions against it would be lifted step by step.
American Republicans do not support this agreement, as they believe the compromise with Iran was excessive.
Many Democrats have also criticized the agreement. Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect, has also rejected the nuclear agreement with Iran.
Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives simultaneously passed a measure that includes sanctions against the Syrian government and its supporters, including Russia and Iran, in case of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It is not yet known when the Senate will place this measure on its agenda.
Source: DW
