Part I: Congress on Iran Sanctions Act

December 5, 2016

Capitol dome

On December 1, the U.S. Senate voted 99-0 to extend the Iran Sanctions Act, which targets the Islamic Republic’s banking, defense, and energy sectors. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation. The law allows the president to waive those sanctions, as Obama has done with some sanctions as part of the 2016 nuclear deal with Iran. 

Senate Republicans initially sought a wider-ranging bill to sanction Iran recent ballistic missile tests. Democrats countered that they would only support an extension of the law originally passed in 1996. Supporters of the legislation from both parties said the extension would allow Washington to quickly re-instate sanctions if Tehran violates the pact. Under the deal, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programs for 10 to 15 years and improve international transparency over its activities, in exchange for a removal of U.N., regional, and national sanctions.

Iranian officials condemned the vote as a violation of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran would not remain committed to the deal if the United States re-imposed sanctions. In Parliament, 264 of Iran’s 290 members called on President Hassan Rouhani to take unspecified “retaliatory measures” against the United States. In a statement, lawmakers called the Senate vote a “theatrical move” that is against the spirit of the JCPOA. Some lawmakers proposed bills that would prohibit Iranians from purchasing American products, potentially jeopardizing business deals such Boeing’s sale of airplanes to Iran. The following are remarks by U.S. lawmakers and Iranian leaders in the run-up to the vote and afterwards. 

 

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker (R-TN)

"Extending the Iran Sanctions Act ... ensures President-elect Trump and his administration have the tools necessary to push back against the regime’s hostile actions."

―Dec. 1, 2016, in a statement

 

Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin (D-MD)

“Iran is making this up. These problems don't exist.”

“Congress, by extending ISA, is not taking any new steps against Iran at all.”

―November 29, 2016, according to media

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

“These authorities should remain in place as we address how best to deal with Iranian missile tests, support to Hezbollah and the Syrian regime.”

―Dec. 1, 2016, according to media

"Preserving these sanctions is critical given Iran's disturbing pattern of aggression and its persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East."

―Nov. 29, 2016, according to media

“This is all the more important given how the administration has ignored Iran’s overall efforts to upset the balance of power in the greater Middle East, and how it has been held hostage by Iran’s threats to withdraw from the nuclear agreement.”

―Nov. 30, 2016, according to media

 

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Member Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

“If the sanctions architecture has expired, then we have no sanctions which we can snap back.”

“The Iranians will know the consequences of any breach [when the law is passed].”

―Dec. 1, 2016, on the floor ahead of the vote

 

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Member Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)

"I have not heard strident objections from our key allies in the JCPOA,"

―Dec. 1, 2016, according to media

 

Senate Armed Services Committee Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

"The practical effect is the Iran nuclear agreement depends on our resolve, on our commitment to... stop a nuclear-armed Iran by using sanctions and other means if necessary,"

―Dec. 1, 2016, according to media

 

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

“We're coming up for a vote on sanctions, and he [John Kerry] gave us thoughts on that. We're concerned about what happens in the next election in Iran, which is coming up soon, and we hope that the forces in Iran that are working toward moderation”

―Nov. 30, 2016, according to media

 

Iranian Reaction

 

President Hassan Rouhani

“We are committed to an acceptable implementation of the deal but in response to non-commitment, violation or hesitation in its implementation, we will act promptly.”

"America's president is obliged to exercise his authority by preventing its approval and particularly its implementation ... and if this gross violation is carried out we will firmly respond."

―Dec. 4, 2016, during an open session of Parliament

"The [nuclear deal] is the result of efforts by seven countries, and one country should not be allowed to weaken it."

―Dec. 3, 2016, according to IRNA via Reuters

 

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

"To the world community, the extension of sanctions against Iran shows the unreliability of the American government."

"America is acting against its commitment."

“Even if the U.S. president signs the sanctions bill, it will not affect Iran's relations with the world.”

―Dec. 3, 2016, upon arrival in India

 

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

“So far, the current U.S. government has committed several violations with regard to the nuclear agreement.”

"The most recent of them is the 10-year extension of the sanctions. If these sanctions are extended, it will surely constitute a violation of the [JCPOA] and they should know that the Islamic Republic will definitely react to it.”

―Nov. 23, 2016, in a speech to Basij forces 

 

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani

“If you extend the sanctions, this will mean kicking the JCPOA away and we will confront it through implementing powerful technical packages.”

―Nov. 15, 2016, according to Press TV

 

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi

“[The vote is a] clear violation."

"We are closely monitoring developments."

"If they implement the ISA, Iran will take action accordingly."

―Dec. 2, 2016, according to media

 

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi

"Iran has shown its commitment to its international agreements, but we are also prepared for any possible scenario. We are ready to firmly protect the nation's rights under any circumstances."

―Dec. 2, 2016, according to IRNA via Reuters