OIAC Applauds Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Passing Iran Bill to Hold the Regime Accountable

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) applauds the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) for passing Iran Bill to hold the regime accountable for its missile development, support for terrorism and human rights violations.

The bipartisan legislation, now with 48 cosponsors, spearheaded by Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) expands sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), expands sanctions for Iranian ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, transfers of conventional weapons to or from Iran, and human rights violations.

"We can no longer allow the nuclear agreement with Iran to dictate U.S. policy throughout the Middle East, and this bill is an important first step in finally holding Iran accountable for their non-nuclear destabilizing activities," said Senator Bob Corker, SFRC Chair, adding, "It also sends an important signal that the U.S. will no longer look the other way in the face of continued Iranian aggression. I am proud of the strong bipartisan momentum behind this effort and will push for timely consideration on the Senate floor." 

"Today's committee approval of this bipartisan legislation brings us one step closer to finally ensuring Iran's leaders understand they do not enjoy blanket impunity as the United States continues to live up to its commitments under the JCPOA," said Senator Menendez.

Senator Ben Cardin, SFRC Ranking Member underscored, "Today's bipartisan Committee passage of Iran legislation underscores Congress' role in articulating a roadmap for pushing back on Iran's aggressive actions... we remain committed to pushing back on Iran's ballistic missile program, support for terrorism, violations of the arms embargo, and human rights abuses against its own citizens."

OIAC welcomes the new bill for imposing sanctions on IRGC and for codifying individuals who are currently sanctioned due to Iranian support for terrorism.

The IRGC's primary focus has been to preserve Iranian theocracy, first by suppressing the Iranian people and second, by conducting extraterritorial terrorism. As such, diminishing IRGC influence and reach would weaken this prominent pillar of Iran's religious dictatorship.

Organization of Iranian American Communities-US (OIAC), as the largest, all-volunteers, most active and enduring grass root organization of Iranian Americans in the United States lauds this bipartisan Congressional initiative and calls for designating the IRGC what it is, a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

SOURCE OIAC