Florida Governor Imposes New Sanctions Against Iranian Businesses

Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida and a Republican presidential candidate, announced new proposed policies to impose sanctions against Iranian businesses in Florida. He stated that the Islamic Republic has assisted in organizing Hamas's attack on Israel. According to Fox News, the Florida Governor announced a series of new proposed policies on Tuesday, October 10, which reflect the Florida state government's solidarity with Israel amid the war with 'Hamas terrorists.' In a press conference at the Bal Harbour Shul synagogue in Florida, DeSantis linked the Islamic Republic to Hamas's violence in Israel and urged President Joe Biden's administration to take more severe actions against Tehran. The Florida Governor said, 'When [the Iranian government] gets more money, they do not use it to improve the lives of the Iranian people. They (Iranian government officials) use it to finance terrorism across the Middle East and around the world. They send money to Hezbollah, they send money to Hamas, and this is exactly what we have witnessed.' He emphasized that 'Iran has been involved in organizing this attack on Israel' and added, 'We know this, it has been reported. They [Iranian officials] deny it, but we are smarter than that.' Furthermore, the Republican Governor of Florida stated that now 'we have a proper opportunity to do something effective that will make a difference in nature.' Ron DeSantis said, 'Our proposal is that as we stand with Israel, we should sanction Iran. Therefore, we have decided to present our proposal to increase Florida's sanctions against Iran and block Iranian trade in our state at the next legislative session.' He added, 'We must use every available means to stop the money going to the Iranian regime.' DeSantis's new policies will increase existing prohibitions on Iranian business activities in Florida. Fox News reported that Iran has a long history of financing terrorism through Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in northern Israel. Israeli military forces have conducted over a thousand airstrikes on Hamas positions in Gaza in response to Hamas's violent attack on Saturday.