Washington D.C. – A bipartisan group of senators, led by U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), recently issued a joint letter to President Joe Biden, calling for robust enforcement of sanctions against Iran’s oil trade. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) joined forces with their colleagues in stressing the importance of denying Iran the financial resources it utilizes to attack U.S. forces and allies across the Middle East.
The letter, supported by Senators from both sides of the aisle, emphasizes the urgency of implementing the proposed legislation, including the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act (SHIP Act) and the End Iranian Terrorism Act. These legislative measures aim to curb Iran’s financial capabilities and address the escalation of attacks against U.S. troops, particularly since the brutal atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2024.
In the communication to President Biden, the Senators stated, “Strengthening sanctions on Iranian oil is especially critical in light of the ongoing attacks on U.S. forces across the Middle East by Iranian-backed groups.” Citing data from the U.S. Department of Defense, the letter highlights over 140 attacks on U.S. troops in the region since October 7, 2023, with recent incidents resulting in the tragic deaths of three U.S. servicemembers and numerous injuries.
Senator Katie Britt underscored the importance of a firm stance, stating, “This should be a straightforward concept – the more money that Iran has, the more money that Iran has to finance terrorism against Americans and our allies.” She emphasized the need for the Biden Administration to abandon appeasement and return to a maximum-pressure sanctions regime on Tehran.
The Senators argue that the financial support Iran provides to various terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and others, poses a direct threat to U.S. interests and its allies in the Middle East. They propose targeting Iran’s lucrative illicit oil trade, which has reportedly brought in at least $88 billion from February 2021 to October 2023.
The letter urges immediate action to prevent Iran from using its oil exports to fund terrorism. Specifically, the Senators call for sanctions on ships transporting Iranian petroleum products, as well as on foreign ports and refineries knowingly accepting these products.
Senator Britt, who recently led questioning at a Senate Committee hearing on enforcement actions against Iran, has been a vocal advocate for strengthening sanctions. She expressed concern over the Biden Administration’s handling of existing tools to financially constrain Iran, highlighting the significant profits Iran has amassed from oil sales since President Biden took office.
This bipartisan effort demonstrates a united front in addressing the complex and sensitive issue of Iran’s actions in the region. As discussions on sanctions and legislative measures continue, the Senators emphasize the need for immediate and effective measures to counter the growing threats posed by Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East.
