Bipartisan Senators Urge European Allies to Maintain Pressure on Iran

Strategic Insights -

US Senators Todd Young (R-Indiana) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) led nearly all Senate Republicans in sending a letter to French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, German Federal Minister Johann Wadephul, and British Secretary of State Yvette Cooper, thanking them for initiating snapback sanctions on Iran. The lawmakers expressed concern that the Iranian regime has abused diplomatic processes to avoid penalties and that sanctions relief should only be negotiated after the snapback is fully implemented. They emphasized the need for the international community to hold Iran accountable for its malign activities, including its nuclear program, ballistic missile program, and support for international terror proxies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The letter, signed by nearly all Senate Republicans, emphasized the need for the international community to maintain pressure on Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, restore full IAEA access, and terminate its support for international terror proxies.
  • The senators expressed concern that the Iranian regime has abused diplomatic processes to avoid penalties and that sanctions relief should only be negotiated after the snapback is fully implemented.
  • The letter highlighted the importance of closing off Iran's financial pathways by shuttering its banking sector abroad, including by closing all branches in Europe.
  • The senators also condemned Iran's provocative nuclear threats, its reckless attacks with ballistic missiles, and its wanton aggression through support for terrorism.
  • The letter was signed by 49 US Senators, including Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Statistics:

  • 49 US Senators signed the letter to European allies, urging them to maintain pressure on Iran.
  • The letter was sent to French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, German Federal Minister Johann Wadephul, and British Secretary of State Yvette Cooper.
  • The Iranian regime has been accused of abusing diplomatic processes to avoid penalties.
  • Economic sanctions are being reimposed on Iran, targeting the country's arms industry, nuclear and missile programs, and terror and proliferation activities.
  • Iran's oil sales, particularly to China, and smuggling operations via third countries, are funding the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Sources:

  • Young, Todd. Young, Colleagues Applaud European Sanctions on Iran. Young Senate website, 17 Sep. 2022.
  • United States Senate. 2022. [Letter to French Minister Barrot, German Federal Minister Wadephul, and British Secretary of State Cooper from Senators Young, Risch, and others].