posted by Christopher W. Holton
The US Treasury Department must publish a report listing the financial assets of Iran’s leaders, under a bill that passed the US House of Representatives this week.
The bill, which passed by a vote of 289-135, must still pass the US Senate before President Trump can decide whether or not to sign it into law.
“Iran’s top regime leaders — the Supreme Leader and the country’s top political and military brass — have amassed huge wealth through their tyrannical rule and corrupt and covert structure,” Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, said upon introducing the legislation. “Reports have indicated these funds are being used to support and sponsor terrorism around the region and to undermine our own national security interests. Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, cannot be trusted and it’s important for the security of the region and for the United States for these secret funds to be exposed publicly to the world.”
This legislation previously was stymied when President Obama declared that he would veto it if it got to his desk.
Leading the charge for the Iranian side was Maxine Waters…
“The true purpose of this legislation is to create reputational risk for companies that might seek to do legitimate business with Iran,” the California Democrat said. “For this reason, the bill would be a strategic mistake, as its report would undoubtedly be seized upon by Iran as an intentional effort to discourage international investment by Iran, which would be viewed y Iran — and likely by the major world powers who joined us in the JCPOA as well — as a violation of the express U.S. commitment under the nuclear deal not to interfere with the full realization of the relief provided to Iran under the accord.”
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-votes-to-have-treasury-department-publish-iranian-leaders-assets/article/2643427http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-votes-to-have-treasury-department-publish-iranian-leaders-assets/article/2643427
