House-Passed Iran Sanctions Bill May Constrain President Obama’s Flexibility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2009
CONTACT: Travis Sharp
Washington D.C. – The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation expressed concern about this evening’s House of Representatives vote to approve the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009 (H.R. 2194), which threatens to complicate American diplomatic efforts with Iran.
The legislation amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 by expanding economic sanctions against Iran’s gas and petroleum sector. The bill was brought to the floor Tuesday under suspension of the rules. It passed by a final tally of 412 to 12.
The Iranian opposition movement opposes sanctions, and the Obama administration has reportedly asked the Senate to hold off on passing its own version of sanctions legislation.
“This legislation may constrain President Obama’s flexibility as the United States and its international partners continue to pursue a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear program,” said Lt. General Robert Gard (USA, Ret.), Chairman of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. “Rushing to pass unilateral petroleum sanctions may send the signal that the United States is no longer interested in engagement,” continued Gard.
Gard added: “The overriding goal of the international community must be to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes. If sanctions become necessary to increase international pressure on Iran, multilateral sanctions targeted at the Iranian leadership and Revolutionary Guard would represent a more effective and unified signal to Iran.”
Leonor Tomero, Director for Nuclear Non-Proliferation at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, remarked: “Unilateral petroleum sanctions risk strengthening the hands of Iran's theocratic ruling class and hurting regular Iranians.”
Tomero added: “Unilateral sanctions play into President Ahmadinejad’s effort to cast Iran’s noncompliance with its international obligations as a problem with the West, rather than a potential threat to global security and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
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