WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored H.R. 1422 - the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act, a bill that aims to strengthen secondary sanctions on foreign entities enabling Iran’s illicit oil trade. This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL).

“Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Implementing stronger sanctions on countries that support and facilitate Iran’s oil trade will disrupt the regime’s oil supply chain and hinder the dangerous activities that fund its terrorist proxies. I have long supported strict sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector and its access to the international financial system. The Trump administration deserves recognition for reinstating economic pressure against Iran on this issue. This legislation supports the administration’s initiatives and is critical for national security and for the safety of our allies in the Middle East,” said Rep. Simpson.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act includes the following provisions:

• Enacts new secondary sanctions on additional foreign entities that engage in transactions involved in the processing, export, or sale of illicit Iranian oil. Listed entities include banks, other financial institutions, insurance providers, flagging registries, pipeline construction, and operation facilities for liquified natural gas.
• Requires the State Department to establish an Interagency Working Group on Iranian Sanctions.
• Requires the State Department to establish a multilateral contact group with like-minded nations to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions imposed on Iran.
• States that it is U.S. policy to fully enforce sanctions against all persons involved in the international logistical chain that provides support to the energy sector of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The full text of the bill is available here.