Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is lauding the panel for passing a bipartisan bill expanding sanctions on Iran for 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," Corker said in a news release.
"As many of us predicted at the time, Iran's rogue behavior has only escalated since implementation of the agreement, and this bipartisan bill approved by the committee today will give the Trump administration additional tools for holding Tehran accountable. 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."
Sen. Bob Menendez, ranking Democrat on the committee, said the approval "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 [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action].
"... As the Administration continues to review its Iran policy, Congress must set out clear markers that impose real consequences to Iran's illicit behavior that runs counter to our national security and that of our allies in the region."
The release said the bill now has 48 co-sponsors.
It imposes sanctions on people involved with Iran's ballistic missile program and those they do business with; applies terrorism sanctions to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and codifies individuals who now are sanctioned for Iranian support for terrorism; and requires the president to block the property of any person or entity involved in specific activities related to the supply, sale, or transfer of prohibited arms and related material to or from Iran.