McCall: Sanctions Against the Iranian Government Should Be Implemented

Michael McCall, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to implement sanctions against U.S. adversaries, including the Islamic Republic, under the bipartisan "Peace Through Strength in the 21st Century" law. Mr. McCall states that despite the severe and increasing threats from Russia, China, and the Islamic Republic of Iran against U.S. national security interests, the Biden administration has not enforced any sanctions under this law since its passage. In his letter, he writes: "The world is on fire; we cannot afford to lose even one more day to doubt, appeasement, and weakness." The Chairman points out that last year, the Biden administration requested additional financial assistance to respond to adversaries and support U.S. allies, which Congress allocated, and mandated policy changes including sanctions and export controls to counter threats, but nearly six months later, these mandates have not been implemented. During this time, the Islamic Republic conducted another major ballistic missile attack on Israel, transferred ballistic missiles to Russia, and continued to support its terrorist groups, while China also continued to purchase Iranian oil and support Russia's industrial-defense base. Previously, Mr. McCall had warned about the deepening "unholy alliance" between Russia and the Islamic Republic in response to a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian. The U.S. and the European Union have imposed several sanctions packages against Iranian individuals and entities involved in military cooperation with Russia. For instance, on Wednesday, October 4, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned over 12 companies and vessels for participating in the illegal transfer of Iranian crude oil and liquefied gas to Syria and East Asia. A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated on Thursday, September 22, that the Biden administration remains committed to the "strict" enforcement of sanctions against the Iranian government. Three months prior, the U.S. State Department sanctioned three Emirati companies in response to Iran's actions to develop its nuclear program and statements from its officials regarding a potential change in "nuclear doctrine" for their involvement in transporting Iranian oil and petrochemical products. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the U.S. Treasury also sanctioned four individuals, including two captains, two vessels, and four companies in various countries for assisting the Houthis, the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Hezbollah in the illegal trade and transport of oil and other goods. Russia attacked Kyiv with "Iranian-made offensive drones." Reuters reported that Russia has launched a secret program in China to produce long-range offensive drones. The U.S. has sanctioned "covert payment networks" between Russia and North Korea. Four U.S. lawmakers called for the swift implementation of the "Mahsa Law."