WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. Senate made a decisive move Thursday to renew a sanctions law that gives the United States authority to impose sanctions against Iran if the nation violates terms of a the landmark nuclear deal previously negotiated by President Barack Obama.
The bill passed on a unanimous vote of 99-0 on Thursday, just two weeks after the House approved the same legislation by an overwhelming majority of 419-1.
Following Thursday’s vote, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised the renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which he said ensures President-elect Donald Trump has the ability to reimpose the sanctions the Obama administration lifted to implement the Iran nuclear deal. The Senate extended the ISA, which otherwise would have expired at year’s end.
“Extending the Iran Sanctions Act gives us the ability to reimpose the sanctions the Obama administration lifted to implement the Iran nuclear deal and ensures President-elect Trump and his administration have the tools necessary to push back against the regime’s hostile actions,” Corker said. “I am pleased by the overwhelming support this bill received in both the House and Senate and look forward to continuing our work to hold Tehran accountable.”
Corker’s colleague representing the state in the Senate, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn), also applauded the vote.
“Iran remains a threat to our national security, to Middle East stability, and to Israel, one of our strongest allies, which is why I voted to preserve these important sanctions,” Alexander said.
The Iran Sanctions Extension Act extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through Dec. 31, 2026. The law authorizes the use of economic sanctions to deny Iran resources that could be used to support terrorism or developing weapons of mass destruction.