Draft Bill '2017 Action for Non-Nuclear Sanctions on Iran' in the U.S. Congress

Four members of the U.S. House of Representatives have announced the preparation of a draft bill titled '2017 Action for Non-Nuclear Sanctions on Iran'. According to the office of these representatives, starting from Wednesday, February 1, the bill calls for more sanctions against Iran due to 'the development of its missile program', 'supporting terrorism', and 'human rights violations'. Peter Roskam from Illinois, Doug Lamborn from Colorado, Leonard Lance from New Jersey, and Lee Zeldin from New York, the sponsors of the bill, have written that the Iranian regime 'has mocked the international community'. These representatives are also members of the Israel Friendship Committee in the House. Peter Roskam has previously opposed the 'softness' of the Barack Obama administration towards Iran and has sought to reinstate sanctions against Tehran. Their bill aligns with the request of three senators who have stated, 'it is time for decisive action against Iran'. Republican senators Marco Rubio, Todd Young, and John Cornyn have previously called for sanctions against individuals who 'knowingly assist Iran's missile development program'. The three senators emphasized the need to sanction companies where more than 25% of their shares are owned by entities related to Iran's missile program, and to monitor companies where the IRGC's shares are less than 25%. Senators from Florida, Indiana, and Texas specifically called for renewed sanctions against Mahan Air for 'aiding the IRGC in spreading terror and militarism'. Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with 21 Republican and Democratic senators, supported the intensification of sanctions against Iran in a letter to President Donald Trump. Senator Corker announced the preliminary stages of a bill to punish Iran for its nuclear activities. Paul Ryan, the Republican Speaker of the House, also stated on Thursday that he supports the intensification of sanctions against Iran. Reuters had previously predicted that new U.S. sanctions against companies and several Iranian nationals would be announced on Friday, February 3. The proposals and actions of Republicans and some Democrats in both the House and Senate regarding Iran coincided with President Donald Trump's remarks about 'all options being on the table' against Iran. A day earlier, Michael Flynn, the new U.S. National Security Advisor, stated that Iran has been 'monitored' following its recent activities, including the firing of a ballistic missile and assisting the Houthis in Yemen to attack U.S. allies' interests. Concurrently with these developments in Washington, the Israeli Prime Minister also stated on Thursday that he heard General Flynn's remarks 'with admiration' and that 'the issues General Flynn mentioned were the same ones he discussed in a recent phone call with Donald Trump'. Benjamin Netanyahu had previously stated that he would present 'five plans regarding Iran that have come to his mind' in his meeting with Donald Trump. The Netanyahu-Trump meeting is scheduled to take place at the White House on February 15 (February 27). Iran has emphasized that its recent missile launch was in line with the development of its defensive capabilities and does not violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231.