12.06.23

Hoeven Sponsoring Legislation to Weaken Iran’s Ties to China, Push Back on Sponsorship of Terrorist Groups

Bill Prohibits Use of U.S. Taxpayer Dollars for Iran Nuclear Deal, Requires Senate Ratification

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week helped reintroduce legislation led by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) to weaken Iran’s ties with Communist China and push back on its sponsorship of terrorist groups, like Hamas. Specifically, the Iran China Accountability Act:

  • Requires any Iran nuclear agreement to be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Senate.
  • Prohibits obligation or expenditure of any funds for an Iran nuclear agreement until:
    • Iran terminates all agreements involving the transfer of funds from China and terminates strategic security and military partnerships with China.
    • Iran terminates all ties and transfers of cash to Iranian proxy forces, including Hamas.
    • Iran verifies the destruction of all chemical weapons, materials, and infrastructure.
    • The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ceases the incarceration of Uyghurs.
  • Requires a report from the Secretary of State to Congress detailing how any future agreement with Iran meets each requirement listed above.
  • Condemns Hamas-incited terrorist attacks on Israel.

“We need to be strong and stand up to both Iran and China. Our legislation will ensure that we hold these two adversaries accountable for their destabilizing activities, support for terrorism and human rights abuses,” said Senator Hoeven. “Given its attacks against our military and our allies like Israel, its support for Hamas and other terrorist organizations, and its cooperation with China, Iran must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons. This legislation would prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to advance a nuclear agreement with Iran and require that any agreement be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate.”

“Iran would love nothing more than to enter into another nuclear deal that props up their terrorist activity and also benefits their fellow New Axis of Evil partner - Communist China,” said Senator Blackburn. “As Iran and the CCP commit egregious human rights abuses against their own citizens and Iran-backed Hamas enacts horrific violence against Israel, it has become increasingly critical that the Biden administration holds the Iranian regime fully accountable. There must be no nuclear deal until we can ensure our national security interests are protected.”

In addition to Hoeven and Blackburn, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Background information and the full text of the legislation can be found here and here, respectively.

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