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WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing new legislation to strengthen U.S. sanctions on Iran. The Iran, North Korea, and Syria Sanctions Consolidation Act (S.1048) toughens existing sanctions against Iran under current law and proactively seeks to prevent its regime from developing nuclear weapons capability.  The bill also enhances sanctions on North Korea and Syria. Senator Casey joined Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), and Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in introducing the bill.

"I am proud to join with my colleagues in support of enhanced pressure on Iran to end its effort to develop nuclear weapons,” said Senator Casey.  “These sanctions will tighten restrictions on the Islamic Republican Guard Corps and Iran's ability to do business abroad. Iran must meet its international obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Until it does so, the U.S. should stand with allies around the world and remain vigilant to ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapons capability."

The legislation strengthens U.S. sanctions against Iran by increasing pressure on the country’s banking, energy and military sectors.  Among other provisions, the legislation would:

  • Extend sanctions to all joint ventures with respect to the development of petroleum resources outside of Iran in which Iran is a substantial partner or through which Iran could receive technological knowledge or equipment that could contribute to the enhancement of Iran’s ability to develop petroleum resources in Iran. (Sec. 103)
  • Require that the United States undertake a comprehensive multilateral diplomatic initiative, including at the United Nations Security Council, to expand sanctions against Iran to thwart Iran’s continued efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction. (Sec. 107)
  • Require the President to identify all known affiliates and agents of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), to exclude such persons from entry in the United States and to designate them under Executive Order 13382 (freezing the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters, and isolating them financially) (Sec. 121-22)
  • Make affiliates of the IRGC, and anyone who materially assists them, ineligible for federal procurement contracts and prohibits them from importing any good or service into the United States. (Sec. 123)
  • Impose sanctions on the transfer of goods and technology such as firearms, rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas to Iran that may be used to commit human rights abuses. (Sec. 132)
  • Require the appointment of a Presidential Special Representative on Human Rights and Democracy in Iran. (Sec. 134)
  • Sanction any entity selling goods for military applications to Iran, North Korea or Syria, including freezing property and denying access to the U.S. banking system. (Sec. 205)

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