Sanctioning Entities & Individuals Involved with Iran’s Ballistic Missile Program (H.R. 1698)

What is H.R. 1698?

(Updated May 25, 2018)

This bill would apply sanctions on people and entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile program, along with those who provide conventional weapons to or receive weapons from Iran. It would require the president to report to Congress on Iran’s ballistic missile program and identify individuals and companies that are involved, and determine whether ballistic missile tests violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Sanctions would be imposed against:

• Iranian government agencies involved in ballistic missile development;

• Foreign entities that supply material for, or otherwise facilitate or finance, such efforts;

• Foreign persons or foreign government agencies that import, export, or re-export prohibited arms or related material to or from Iran;

• Foreign persons or entities that transfer goods or technologies contributing to Iran’s ability to acquire or develop ballistic missiles, including launch technology, and destabilizing numbers and types of advanced conventional weapons.

Argument in favor

The U.S. needs to enforce sanctions on individuals and entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile program or that buy & sell conventional weapons with Iran. In no way do those sanctions violate the letter or spirit of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (aka the Iran nuclear deal).

Argument opposed

Taking steps to sanction entities and individuals that are in some way involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program will further antagonize Iran. These sanctions may not directly go against the terms of the JCPOA, but enforcing them may make Iran less likely to comply with its terms.

Impact

Entities and individuals involved with Iran’s ballistic missile program, including Iranian government agencies; Congress; and the president.

Cost of H.R. 1698

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost total $1 million over the 2018-2022 period.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced this bill to sanction entities and individuals involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program:

“Under the cover of a deeply-flawed nuclear deal, Iran has accelerated its ballistic missile development.  These tests – carried out in defiance of the U.N. Security Council – are aimed at perfecting the delivery system for a nuclear warhead.  That is the only reason for this costly weapons program. But for too long, Iran has not been held accountable... That’s why this bill takes a proactive approach. It shuts Iranian and foreign companies involved in Iran’s missile program – and the banks that back them – out of the financial system. And it will penalize those who trade conventional weapons with Iran in violation of international restrictions. These important steps are critical to countering Iran’s missile program, which poses a growing threat to our national security.”

This legislation passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote and has the support of 321 bipartisan cosponsors, including 189 Republicans and 132 Democrats.

Media:

• House Foreign Affairs Committee Press Release
  
• J Street
  
• Washington Examiner
  
• AIPAC (In Favor)
  
• NIAC Action (Opposed)