Engel Statement on Iran Sanctions Act Becoming Law

Statement

Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the Iran Sanctions Act becoming law:

"The Iran Sanctions Act is a crucial part of ensuring Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal. The sanctions authorized in this law show Iran's leaders exactly what they will face if they don't live up to their end of the bargain. This law does not violate our obligations under the deal. In fact, extending it continues the sanctions law already in place, and there should have been no expectation that Congress would permanently lift sanctions barely a year into the deal. So I'm pleased that this ten-year extension has gone forward.

"In my view, the timing of this extension is especially important. One of the world's chief sanctions skeptics is President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of State. If the Senate approves Mr. Tillerson, he will be charged with snapping back sanctions should Iran cheat on the nuclear deal. As Congress continues to exercise its leadership on foreign policy issues, we will need to hear from Mr. Tillerson about what he plans to do if Iran violates its obligations."

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