In a decisive move reflecting growing bipartisan support for stringent action against the Iranian regime, the United States House of Representatives has passed the “21st Century Peace Through Strength Act,” proposed by Chairman Michael McCaul of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The bill, with an overwhelming majority of 361 votes in favor against 57 opposing, has been forwarded to the Senate for further action.
The “21st Century Peace Through Strength Act” comprises 15 sections, with six specifically aimed at countering the Iranian regime’s malign activities. Should the bill be ratified by the Senate and signed into law by the U.S. President, measures targeting the Iranian regime will be legally enforced.
Among the six bills directed at Iran, the most notable include:
1. The “Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act” (SHIP Act):
This bill enforces extensive sanctions targeting entities involved in the sale and refining of Iranian oil. It aims to intensify existing sanctions and eliminate loopholes. The sanctions apply to foreign ports supporting Iranian oil shipments, refineries processing Iranian oil, individuals, and companies involved in facilitating Iranian oil products, as well as all individuals, vessels, and companies engaged in transporting Iranian oil. Michael Lawler, the bill’s sponsor, is a primary supporter of House Resolution 1148, backing PMOI-led Resistance Units in their fight against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The act declares the following as US policy:
- Preventing Iran’s regime from participating in destabilizing activities, supporting international terrorism, financing development, and acquiring weapons of mass destruction by limiting Iranian oil and oil product exports.
- Denying Iran’s regime from accessing assets for suppressing and violating human rights against its people.
- Fully implementing sanctions against entities supporting Iran’s energy sector.
- Combating Iran’s efforts to finance and facilitate the involvement of foreign terrorist organizations in ongoing conflicts and illegal activities.
Our adversaries are working together to undermine western values & demean our democracy. Evil is on the march. History is calling and it is time to act.
Today, I spoke on the House floor to urge the passing of my bill the "21st Century Peace Through Strength Act."
More below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PSczF6dCM8
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) April 20, 2024
2. The “Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act” (Fight CRIME Act):
This bill is crafted to counter the Iranian regime’s illicit missile proliferation by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities engaged in the regime’s missile program. It strengthens international endeavors to restrain Tehran’s ballistic missile aspirations. The sanctions target those participating in the Iranian regime’s missile activities, previously sanctioned by the United Nations until 2023. Any individual or entity involved in supplying, selling, transferring, or supporting the regime’s missiles and drones will face sanctions. The act outlines the following as US policy:
- Urgently requesting the extension of missile restrictions listed in Annex B of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015).
- Utilizing all available powers to limit ballistic missile production capabilities within Iran.
- Countering and preventing the transfer of conventional and unconventional weapons, equipment, materials, and technology to or from Iran, with or without Iranian regime involvement.
3. The “Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act” (MAHSA Act):
The legislation, imposing comprehensive and severe sanctions against the regime’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, the regime’s president Ebrahim Raisi, and their affiliated offices for human rights violations and support for terrorism, sanctions many institutions under Khamenei’s command, including the Ministry of Intelligence, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the police force, Basij, and the Judiciary. One of the reasons for sanctioning Raisi mentioned in the MAHSA Act is his involvement in the Death Commission in 1988, which led to the execution of thousands of political prisoners in Iran. Representative Jim Banks, the sponsor of this bill, has been among the initial co-sponsors of House Resolution 1148.
The H.R. 8038, the “21st Century Peace through Strength Act,” introduced by Representative Michael McCaul, the House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, passed in the House by 360 votes in favor. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, it would represent a significant stride in… pic.twitter.com/zPa4i3RjL3
— Alireza Jafarzadeh (@A_Jafarzadeh) April 21, 2024
4. The “No Technology for Terror Act“:
The legislation aims to prevent the transfer of American technology employed for repressive purposes. It imposes restrictions on exports or re-exports of goods and technology to Iran, especially those utilized in missile development or against democratic movements.
Introduced by Representative Nathaniel Moran, a co-sponsor of House Resolution 100 and advocate of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, this bill includes items used in the production of missiles and drones deployed across the Middle East or against Ukraine.
5. The “Hold Iranian Leaders Accountable Act“:
The bill seeks to increase transparency concerning the financial assets of Iranian officials and affiliated terrorist groups, thereby strengthening accountability measures against regime leaders. Representative French Hill, a co-sponsor of House Resolution 100, introduced this bill to the US House of Representatives on November 6, 2023.
6. The “Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act Of 2023“:
The bill imposes penalties on foreign financial institutions engaged in significant transactions with Iran’s energy sector, contributing to the regime’s economic isolation.
Representative Michael Lawler introduced this legislation to the US House of Representatives on October 11, 2023.
Now is the time for America to lead, to support our allies, to combat our adversaries, and to continue our role as leader of the free world. That’s why I’m proud to support the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act today on the House floor. pic.twitter.com/hkytPOCmKW
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) April 20, 2024
If the H.R.8038 – 21st Century Peace through Strength Act and its six amendments targeting the Iranian regime are ratified by the Senate and signed into law by the President of the United States, it would signify a significant transformation in the U.S. government’s approach to the Iranian regime.
