New Pompeo, Cornyn Bill Forces Administration to Hold Iran Accountable for Possible Geneva Violations

Statement

Congressmen Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.) have introduced legislation to require the Obama administration to hold Iran accountable for possible violations of the Geneva Convention related to the apprehension and detention of American sailors earlier this year. The "No Impunity for Iranian Aggression at Sea Act" would require the Obama administration to impose sanctions on those responsible, if violations occurred.

Congressman Pompeo said, "The boldness of the Iranian regime in capturing and holding ten U.S. Navy sailors, forcing them onto their knees, hands on their heads, is sickening. Further, for Iranian forces to do all this on the night of the American President's State of the Union address is a slap in the face to our country.

"This legislation requires the Obama administration to investigate if and how Iran violated the Geneva Convention and will also impose sanctions on the Iranians found responsible for these actions. We must respond when Iran, or any other country, mistreats our men and women in uniform and demonstrates total disregard for international law. If that response will not come from the White House, it must come from Capitol Hill."

Senator Cornyn said "The scenes of American sailors being taken captive and hauled back to Iranian soil against their will were deeply troubling and Iran's actions posed a threat not just to Americans in uniform, but to the stability of the entire region.

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