US House of Representatives extends Iran sanctions bill
The Iran sanctions law was extended for another ten years despite the Geneva agreement. The law must be passed by the Senate and signed by Barack Obama. The US House of Representatives also passed a bill to sanction the Syrian government and its supporters, including Russia and Iran.
The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) passed the US House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 15) despite the nuclear deal with Iran. US lawmakers moved to extend a law that was passed in 1996.
The law passed by a vote of 419 to 1. The Iran Sanctions Act paves the way for swift punishment of the country if it violates the terms of the nuclear deal.
This law prohibits investment in Iran's energy industry and prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The Iran Sanctions Act must be passed by the Senate and signed by current US President Barack Obama. If it does not pass, it will only be in effect until the end of this year (2016).
The five veto-wielding powers on the UN Security Council and Germany reached an agreement with Iranian officials last year to limit Iran's nuclear program. In return, Iran was promised that sanctions against the country would be lifted step by step.
American Republicans do not agree with this agreement, because they believe the compromise with Iran has gone too far.
Many Democrats have also criticized the deal. US President-elect Donald Trump has also rejected the nuclear deal with Iran.
Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives simultaneously passed a bill that would include sanctions against the Syrian government and its backers, including Russia and Iran, if they commit war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It is not yet clear when the Senate will consider approving the bill.
Source: DW
