U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) today introduced the North Korea and Iran Sanctions Act, which would require the immediate reinstatement of sanctions against Iran that were waived or suspended as part of President Obama’s flawed nuclear deal if it’s determined Iran sought nuclear weapons technology from North Korea.
“Most Americans, myself included, do not trust the Iranian regime to keep its end of the flawed nuclear deal it made with the Obama administration,” said Thune. “But now that the ink has dried, we must be sure the Iranians are held accountable. We know that North Korea actively seeks to market its weapons technology to other rogue regimes. If it has been determined that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons technology from North Korea, the sanctions should go back in place, period. Our legislation takes any ambiguity out of the conversation.”
“Iran has shown it cannot be trusted,” said Rounds. “Soon after signing the nuclear deal it made with President Obama, the Iranians have carried out ballistic missile tests, fired missiles near a U.S. aircraft carrier and captured American sailors. Our legislation will provide an extra layer of accountability if Iran seeks to purchase nuclear technology from North Korea by swiftly reinstating economic sanctions. I thank Senator Thune for his leadership on this issue to make certain Iran understands we will not tolerate this aggressive behavior.”
Under the conditions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that was agreed to last year in Vienna, Iran reaffirmed not to seek, develop, or acquire nuclear weapons. Although any attempt to acquire nuclear weapons technology from North Korea would be a clear violation of the agreement, there are concerns that President Obama would choose not to reinstate sanctions. The North Korea and Iran Sanctions Act would require the president to reinstate sanctions if it was determined by the director of national intelligence that such a violation had occurred.
