Washington, October 15: The US House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that punishes firms that do business in Iran’s energy sector.
The bill, which sailed through by a 414-6 vote, permits US states, local governments and pension funds to end investments in firms that have 20 million dollars or more invested in Iran’s petroleum or natural gas operations.
“Today’s action should remind Tehran that the window for engagement will not remain open indefinitely, and that the United States will use all tools at its disposal to prevent its acquisition of nuclear weapons,” said Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
“This legislation gives a strong ‘go signal’ to state and local leaders around America to get out of Iran,” said Representative Mark Kirk, the measure’s lead Republican author.
Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey, Colorado, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Washington have all enacted some form of divestment laws, according to Kirk’s office.
Democratic Senator Bob Casey and Republican Senator Sam Brownback have crafted similar legislation in the Senate and has 36 co-sponsors.
And lawmakers may soon take more severe action, with pending legislation that would impose sanctions on companies that help Iran import gasoline and other refined petroleum products to meet its domestic energy needs.
Obama, Sarkozy discuss Iran
US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed Wednesday on the need for a united approach to Iran’s nuclear program during a phone call, statements from both leaders said.
Obama and Sarkozy “discussed the need to continue a unified international approach to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” a White House statement said.
The leaders “expressed the hope that the resumption of dialogue (with Iran) would result in decisive progress in coming weeks in accordance with Iran’s international obligations and noted that Iranian cooperation would be evaluated by the end of the year,” a statement from the Elysee palace said.
On October 1 in Geneva, representatives from Iran and a group of international powers agreed that Tehran would allow inspectors to visit a newly-revealed uranium enrichment site near Qom, in the center of Iran.
The talks are set to restart on October 19 in Vienna and will focus on a proposal to enrich Iranian uranium in a third country.
—Agencies