Washington DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working Group and Co-Chair of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Caucus released the following statement regarding Iran sanctions.
“The failure of last week’s negotiations in Geneva, reminiscent of previous year’s efforts, simply allowed more time for the Iranian regime to continue its efforts to acquire a nuclear weapons capability. Despite recent engagement, the Iranian regime remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and its efforts to skirt sanctions and prop up Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Damascus continued even as the P5+1 met last week. The agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency is a first step, but we are a long way from an agreement that I could support.
Tough sanctions, that I have worked with colleagues from both parties to impose on the regime, are the prime reason there is any engagement at all. At this time, I see no reason to let up the pressure. Until the Iranian regime agrees to an interim deal in line with all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, I will urge my colleagues on the Banking Committee to move forward with a package of additional sanctions. In the meantime, I will continue my oversight efforts to ensure the Administration is rigorously implementing all existing sanctions, including designating additional human rights violators and regime front companies. We cannot give the Iranian regime any escape route, absent concrete, verifiable actions towards compliance with UN requirements.”
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