Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s signing of the United States’ toughest sanctions package ever against Iran.  This law targets Tehran’s energy sector and financial institutions in the effort to stop the development of nuclear weapons.  Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a cosponsor of measure, attended the bill signing at the White House as President Obama signed it into law.

“We are tightening the screws on Iran to press it to roll back its nuclear weapons program.  The message needs to be loud and clear to Iran and countries, corporations and banks still doing business with Iran, that there will be consequences unless the Iranians halt their nuclear program.  I am pleased the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved this landmark legislation, and the President promptly put his signature on the bill.

“I would like to applaud President Obama and his Administration for their leadership in the effort to turn back Iran's nuclear program, and the achievement of a strong fourth round of U.N. sanctions against Iran.  Only last year it seemed inconceivable that Russia and China would vote for these sanctions, but the Administration's skillful diplomacy brought these countries on board.

“Having worked so hard on the Iran sanctions legislation, I was honored to be invited to join President Obama at the White House as he signed this critical measure.  It is my hope that the new law will put Iran on notice that they must shape up or face stronger and stronger sanctions.”

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