Agreement Between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress to Sanction Iran, Russia, and North Korea

On Saturday, July 22, Democratic leaders in the U.S. Congress announced that Republicans and Democrats have reached an agreement to pass new sanctions against Iran, Russia, and North Korea. Last month, the U.S. Senate passed a bill titled 'Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities,' but the bill was stalled in the House of Representatives because Republicans proposed adding North Korean sanctions to it. U.S. laws require that any revision to bills must be approved by both the House and Senate. Reuters reports that Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, expressed concern that including North Korea in the sanctions bill would delay its approval in the Senate. Pelosi stated in a statement: 'While we support increasing sanctions on North Korea, and the House has passed it, my concern is that adding North Korea to this bill, instead of considering a separate bill for it, will cause further procedural delays in the Senate.' The statement adds: 'It is essential that adding North Korea to this bill does not hinder Congress from passing the Russia sanctions bill and that it is sent to the President before the August recess.' Reuters writes that many American lawmakers hope this bill will send a message to Donald Trump to maintain the distance between the U.S. and Russia. Mr. Trump has called for cooperation between the two countries to resolve some crises, including the Syrian war. However, the U.S. President has indicated that changes to Russia sanctions are conditional on resolving issues in Syria and Ukraine. The report cites Senator Ben Cardin, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stating that the agreement between Democrats and Republicans to pass this bill followed extensive negotiations. Senator Cardin said: 'Congress is almost united in seeking to send a message from the American people and our allies to President Vladimir Putin, and we ask President Trump to help send this message.' Just two days prior, the U.S. Treasury Department fined oil giant ExxonMobil two million dollars for violating Russian sanctions. The same department last Tuesday sanctioned 18 individuals and entities for supporting Iran's missile program. In this context, the U.S. State Department's annual report states: Iran remains at the top of the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The U.S. fined ExxonMobil for violating Russian sanctions. A new sanctions bill against Hezbollah has been proposed in the House of Representatives. Foreign Policy: Trump has tasked another group with the JCPOA due to dissatisfaction with the State Department. Changing the game for 'proxies'; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. 1300 hours of internet outages; Witkoff: A horrific massacre occurred during the protests in Iran. Trump emphasizes 'stopping executions in Iran': We do not know what will happen in the future. The accounts of three witnesses from the situation in Isfahan province; 'like war-torn areas.' Trump says if the Islamic Republic attempts to assassinate him, 'it will be wiped off the face of the earth.'