U.S. House of Representatives Extends 'Iran Sanctions Act' for Another Ten Years

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives extended the Iran Sanctions Act for another ten years while imposing new sanctions on Syria. According to Reuters, the representatives voted 419 in favor and 1 against the extension of the 'Iran Sanctions Act,' which was originally passed in 1996 to penalize investors in Iran's energy sector. The 'Iran Sanctions Act' or 'ISA,' which is set to expire on December 31, imposes sanctions in the areas of trade, energy, defense, and banking industries related to Iran's nuclear program and its ballistic missile testing. The law now requires approval from the Senate and the signature of the U.S. President. Last year, the U.S. and five global powers reached an agreement with Iran to resolve its nuclear issue, under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international nuclear sanctions against Tehran. According to Reuters, American lawmakers have stated that they want to provide the necessary tools to the U.S. President to counter Iran's provocative actions and prevent potential violations of the nuclear agreement. Eliot Engel, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a supporter of the bill, stated that despite tough electoral battles and shifts in power, U.S. leadership on the international stage remains steadfast. In this context, Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the bill's sponsor, said that the expiration of this law could exacerbate the damages caused by Barack Obama's dangerous nuclear deal with Iran and send the message that the U.S. no longer opposes Iran's destructive role in the Middle East. This bill was passed a week after Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election. The Obama administration had previously asked Congress to delay the extension of this law, stating that the President has the necessary tools to intensify sanctions against Iran in the event of a violation of the nuclear agreement. A senior Obama administration official had also told Reuters last month about the possibility of Barack Obama vetoing this bill: the White House is still focused on ensuring Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement. This official reiterated that the White House's position regarding the expiration of the 'Iran Sanctions Act' is that its expiration does not affect the government's ability to impose new sanctions if necessary. In this context, Hollande: I don't think Trump will cancel the nuclear deal with Iran expressed Obama's hope regarding Trump's attention to the 'realities' of the nuclear agreement, and the foreign ministers of the European Union emphasized their renewed support for the nuclear deal with Iran.