U.S. House of Representatives Approves Sanctions on Iran's Missile Program

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday, November 4, imposing sanctions on companies and individuals that assist in meeting the needs of Iran's ballistic missile program with a decisive majority. Reports indicate that the bill passed with 423 votes in favor and 2 against. Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who drafted the bill, stated that Iran has no need to develop or deploy intercontinental ballistic missile programs. He added that these sanctions will pressure Iranian and foreign companies, banks, and individuals that assist the Iranian government's illegal armament program. Royce emphasized that Iran must understand that the United States will not tolerate its dangerous behaviors. This new sanctions bill against Iran's missile program mandates the Trump administration to identify and sanction companies and institutions that cooperate with the Islamic Republic's missile program, whether inside Iran or abroad. The bill enjoys bipartisan support from both the Republican and Democratic parties in the House and obligates the U.S. government to sanction any activities related to Iran's ballistic missiles designed for the capability to carry nuclear warheads, including missile launch technology. Another section of the bill targets Iran's military sector, which raises concerns as it was not directly addressed in the nuclear agreement between six world powers and Iran. Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader, also stated that this bill would weaken Iran's missile program. The bill is now headed to the U.S. Senate for approval, and if passed, it will be sent to the White House for the president's signature. Reuters previously reported that these new sanctions in Congress are seen as part of a strategy to impose more restrictions and seriousness towards Tehran without an immediate repeal of the nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA. Several advisors and aides to lawmakers in Congress have told Reuters that House members are currently focused on countering Iran's actions, which is why new missile sanctions and sanctions against Hezbollah have been proposed. In this context, the House also passed three bills related to Hezbollah yesterday. The Associated Press states that this bill has support from representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties and is likely to pass in the Senate as well. Iran's missile program is one of the issues that the U.S. cites to accuse Tehran of creating instability in the region, claiming that UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which supports the nuclear agreement with Iran, prohibits testing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran, relying on this argument, claims that 'the tested missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads' and therefore its missile tests do not contradict the nuclear agreement. In this context, the approval of new sanctions against Hezbollah in the U.S. House emphasizes the Trump administration's focus on countering Hezbollah and Iran's actions. Adel al-Jubeir stated that the international community must support the new sanctions against Iran. Reports from Reuters on the Senate draft after the JCPOA was not confirmed indicate a changing landscape for 'proxy wars'; a war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph discusses the responsibility of opponents and the potential radicalization of Iranian society. The last representative of Mossad in Tehran passed away amid the Iranian crisis. 1300 hours of internet outages; Witkoff: a horrific massacre occurred during the protests in Iran.