Statement of Senator Mark R. Warner

STATEMENT OF SEN. MARK R. WARNER

~ On Congressional renewal of U.S. sanctions on Iran ~

WASHINGTON—Today U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), incoming Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on Senate passage of legislation which imposes a 10-year extension of sanctions on Iran. The Iran Sanctions Act, which Sen. Warner co-sponsored, now heads to the President:

“Today I voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act for another decade. Last renewed in 2006, this Act imposes sanctions on U.S. and foreign companies investing in Iran’s energy sector—a major component of its economy—but allows the President to waive sanctions on a case-by-case basis.  Many of the Act’s sanctions, including those targeting investment in Iran’s oil and gas sector, have been waived as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that the United States and five other countries have signed with Iran to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program. I firmly believe the continuation of these sanctions is prudent to preserve America’s ability to re-impose sanctions should Iran violate that agreement and to signal to Tehran that its continued threatening and aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.  In the last year alone, Iran has conducted at least four ballistic missile tests, illegally detained U.S. sailors in the Persian Gulf, threatened to shoot down U.S. Navy planes, and continued to support terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and dictators like Syria’s President Assad.  I will continue to support efforts to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and encourage Tehran to abide by international law and norms of behavior.”