U.S. House of Representatives Approves Bill to Disclose Assets of Iranian Leaders

Reports indicate that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday, December 13, requiring the Treasury Department to publish a list of assets owned by Iranian leaders, including Ali Khamenei. According to the Associated Press, the bill passed with 289 votes in favor and 135 against. To become law, it must also be approved by the Senate and then signed by the U.S. President. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican representative from Maine, stated during the introduction of the bill that about 70 Iranian officials have amassed significant personal wealth, which they also use to support terrorist groups and entities that harm U.S. interests. He added that it is the right of Iranian citizens and people around the world to know how much wealth these main supporters of terrorism have amassed and for what purposes they use it. Reports also indicate that this Republican representative emphasized that senior Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader and key political and military figures, have acquired vast wealth through an authoritarian, corrupt, and secretive structure in the country. He further stated that Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism and cannot be trusted. It is important for the security of the region and the United States that these hidden assets are disclosed to the world. This is the second time this bill has been passed in the House of Representatives. In 2016, the bill was approved with the support of 280 representatives, but a veto threat from then-President Barack Obama caused it to be shelved. In this context, Maxine Waters, a Democratic representative from California, criticized the bill in Congress on Wednesday, stating that it would ultimately undermine the nuclear agreement with Iran. Meanwhile, Bruce Poliquin rejected this criticism, stating that about 70 to 80 senior political and military officials control one-third of Iran's entire domestic economy, while corruption in Iran is on the rise. If this bill becomes law, the report will be translated into Persian and two other languages used in Iran.