Legislation Would Sanction Illicit Purchases Of Iranian Oil By Foreign Countries To Prevent Iran From Using Oil Sales To Fund Its Illegal Activities
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped introduce the bipartisan Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, which would sanction foreign ports and refineries that process Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. This bill aims to stop Iran from using oil sales to fund its malign actions against the United States and partners in the Middle East. According to reports, as of February 2023, Chinese oil refineries were processing and refining approximately 1.2 million barrels of Iranian oil per day, with resulting profits being used by Iran to fund illicit activities.
“Iran has been unrelenting in its pursuit of nuclear weapons and its support for terrorist groups,” said Senator Rosen. “To achieve these goals, Iran relies on funds from illicit oil sales that violate U.S. sanctions. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen sanctions on ports and refineries that receive and process Iranian oil and will help reign in Iran’s ability to engage in destabilizing activities.”
Senator Rosen has been continuing to push for security and stability in the Middle East in the face of Iranian threats. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen helped introduce the Solidify Iran Sanctions (SISA) to make permanent the Iran Sanctions of 1996 that would allow the President to impose sanctions on Iran’s energy sectors. Rosen also led the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus in introducing the bipartisan Maritime Architecture and Response to International Terrorism in the Middle (MARITIME) Act to counter maritime threats posed by Iran. She also led her colleagues in introducing the Abraham Accords Cybersecurity Cooperation Act of 2023 to strengthen Accord countries’ cybersecurity cooperation in an effort to bolster defenses against increasing Iranian cyberattacks.
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