U.S. House of Representatives to Vote on New Sanctions Against Iran

The U.S. House of Representatives is likely to vote on a proposal for sanctions against Iran's missile program on Thursday, November 4. Earlier reports indicated that voting would take place on Wednesday evening. However, according to the English website of Voice of America, the vote on the sanctions proposal against Iran's missile program is set for Thursday. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives approved three proposals against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Wednesday evening. According to the Associated Press, this new sanctions proposal against Iran's missile program requires the Trump administration to identify and sanction companies and institutions that cooperate with the Islamic Republic's missile program, whether in Iran or abroad. Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced this proposal. Reuters previously reported that the new sanctions in Congress are seen as a way to impose further restrictions and seriousness towards Tehran, without an immediate cancellation of the nuclear agreement between six world powers and Iran, known as the JCPOA. Several advisors and aides to lawmakers in Congress told Reuters that members of the House of Representatives are currently focused on countering Iran's actions, which is why the new missile sanctions and sanctions against Hezbollah have been proposed. The Associated Press states that the sanctions proposal has support from representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties and is likely to pass in both the House and the Senate. 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 prohibits Iran from testing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran asserts that 'the tested missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads,' and thus its missile tests do not contradict the nuclear agreement. In this context, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, previously described Iran's missile tests as an 'unacceptable' action, rejecting Iranian officials' statements regarding the defensive aspect of the country's missile program. The U.S. has unilaterally imposed sanctions on individuals and entities related to Iran's missile program. In this context, Reuters reports on the Senate draft proposal following the non-approval of the JCPOA. Adel al-Jubeir: The international community must support new sanctions against Iran. Trump: France and Germany can continue to profit from Iran. The House of Representatives is voting on new non-nuclear sanctions against Iran. A French minister emphasizes the need to address Iran's 'regional and ballistic activities.' The CIA director states: 'We will prevent Iran's destructive actions by pressuring the IRGC.' Ayatollah Khamenei: 'If Trump tears up the JCPOA, we will shred it.'