“While the legislation would attempt to restrict Iran’s access to petroleum products as a way of putting pressure on the current regime to cease its nuclear development, it will most probably have the opposite effect,” said Richard Sawaya, Director of USA*Engage. “As the history of existing sanctions on Iran demonstrates, IRPSA would strengthen those in Iran’s government who oppose negotiations with the U.S. and, if at all successful, turn popular sentiment in Iran against engagement. At this time in particular, additional sanctions will constrain the Administration’s ability to conduct foreign policy and jeopardize common cause with our allies.”
The legislation would require that any foreign entity selling refined petroleum to Iran or otherwise enhancing Iran’s ability to import refined petroleum, including financing, brokering, underwriting or providing ships for such activity, be barred from doing business in the United States. IRPSA would also apply to any entity that provides goods or services that enhance Iran’s ability to maintain or expand its domestic production of refined petroleum.
“The Administration intends to engage Iran diplomatically and has made overtures in line with that approach,” said NFTC President and USA*Engage Co-Chair Bill Reinsch. “New unilateral sanctions would undermine that strategy and send the message to both Iran and our allies that the United States is not committed to diplomacy.”
Last Friday, USA*Engage and the NFTC joined other associations and non-governmental organizations in sending a letter to all Members of Congress, voicing opposition to the proposed legislation. The groups argued that for the past 30 years, U.S. policy toward Iran has been focused “exclusively on sanctions, threats and isolation,” and “as a result, we now face a more powerful and problematic Iran than ever before.” They wrote, “Building support for new sanctions now – before diplomacy has been given enough time to succeed – will suggest that America is not serious about engagement and will actually make negotiations less likely to take place.”
For more information, visit www.usaengage.org and www.nftc.org.
About USA*Engage
USA*Engage (www.usaengage.org) is a coalition of small and large businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad. Established in 1997 and organized under the National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org), USA*Engage leads a campaign to inform policy-makers, opinion-leaders, and the public about the counterproductive nature of unilateral sanctions, the importance of exports and overseas investment for American competitiveness and jobs, and the role of American companies in promoting human rights and democracy world wide.
About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
