Pelosi Statement on First Penalties Under Iran Sanctions Act
Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration under the Iran Sanctions Act passed by Congress earlier this year:
“The Obama Administration should be commended for strong action taken in the last 48 hours to fully leverage the tools provided by the bipartisan Iran sanctions legislation passed by Congress earlier this year. Today, the Administration announced it will impose sanctions on the Naftiran Intertrade Company (NICO), a foreign corporation found to be providing materials for Iran’s energy and petroleum sector energy sector. The Administration is also implementing other provisions of the bill designed to monitor and investigate international corporations.
“Yesterday, the Administration announced sanctions against eight Iranian government officials for committing grievous human rights abuses against their own people. The United States has an interest in the human rights of all citizens of the world. As such, the American people stand for peace and security for the people of Iran.
“With these actions, the President is sending a clear message: the United States is taking decisive action to address the looming nuclear threat from Iran. America looks forward to a relationship with Iran; we hope sanctions hasten the day when Iran is a productive partner for us, its neighbors, and the world.”