U.S. House Passes Comprehensive Bills Targeting Iran’s Regime

In a significant move reflecting growing bipartisan support, the United States House of Representatives has passed the “21st Century Peace Through Strength Act” with an overwhelming majority of 361 votes in favor.

The bill, proposed by Chairman Michael McCaul of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has now been forwarded to the Senate for further action.

The comprehensive legislation comprises 15 sections, with six specifically aimed at countering the Iranian regime’s malign activities. If ratified by the Senate and signed into law by the U.S. President, these measures targeting the Iranian regime will be legally enforced.

Key Highlights of the Bills Targeting Iran

1. Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act (SHIP Act): This bill enforces extensive sanctions targeting entities involved in the sale and refining of Iranian oil, with the goal of intensifying existing sanctions and eliminating loopholes. Representative Michael Lawler of New York first introduced the SHIP Act.

2. Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act (Fight CRIME Act): This bill is designed to counter the Iranian regime’s illicit missile proliferation by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities engaged in the regime’s missile program.

This bill specifically “seeks the extension of missile-related restrictions set forth in Annex B to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015),” uses “all available authorities to constrain Iran’s domestic ballistic missile production capabilities,” combats and deters “the transfer of conventional and non-conventional arms, equipment, material, and technology to, or from Iran, or involving the Government of Iran.” Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas first introduced this bill.

3. Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act (MAHSA Act): The legislation imposes comprehensive and severe sanctions Iranian regime officials, including Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, for their involvement in human rights abuses and support for terrorism. It aims to sanction these officials and entities linked to human rights violations or terrorism, such as the Judiciary, Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Basij.

4. No Technology for Terror Act: Introduced by Representative Nathaniel Moran from Texas, seeks to permanently enforce existing U.S. export control restrictions. These restrictions prohibit the transfer of American-made technology to the Iranian regime, which employs such technology in building weapons systems like drones and missiles, and suppresses democratic movements.

5. Hold Iranian Leaders Accountable Act: The “Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2024,” initially introduced by Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, aims to enhance transparency regarding the financial assets of Iranian regime officials and designated terrorist leaders. The bill requires a report by the President on the assets held by specific Iranian regime figures and terrorist leaders, including the Supreme Leader, the President, the Council of Guardians, the Expediency Council, the Minister of Intelligence, and the Commander and Deputy of the IRGC. It mandates U.S. financial institutions to close reported accounts and directs the Department of the Treasury to pursue the closure of such accounts in foreign financial institutions, thereby strengthening accountability measures against regime leaders.

6. 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 of New York first introduced it.

If enacted, this comprehensive legislative package would mark a significant transformation in the U.S. government’s approach to the Iranian regime, reflecting a bipartisan commitment to addressing the regime’s malign activities and supporting the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy.